The Dominican Republic is fast becoming one of the most travelled-to resort destinations by Canadians. Sugar-soft white-sand beaches, fantastic year-round climate, excellent snorkelling and well-preserved colonial towns combine to make it one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean.
The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern half of the island of Hispaniola (Haiti occupies the west). The coastline is rich with perfect Caribbean beaches and the interior is diverse, with rainforests, 27 waterfalls, mangrove swamps, mountain ranges and savannas.
While many travellers book cheap flights to the Dominican Republic to explore the natural paradise, this country has one of the more illustrious histories of the Caribbean islands. Its history dates back to the Taino inhabitants whose cave paintings can still be seen in caves around the country. Christopher Columbus landed here too, on his first voyage in 1492, claiming the island for Spain and exploring the northern coast of the Republic.
Santo Domingo, the capital, was founded by Columbus's brother and became the Americas' first colonial capital. Today, it's a city with many "firsts" - first Catholic cathedral, first monastery, oldest fortress, gilded palaces and historic squares.
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