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Dominican Republic

 Flag of Dominican Republic

Last reviewed: 02 June 2011

Country information

Map of Dominican Republic

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TODAY

Country Facts

Area: 48,730 sq km (18,704 sq miles)
Population: 9,378,818 (2011  est.)
Capital City: Santo Domingo de Guzmán, Distrito Nacional (but referred to as Santo Domingo or Distrito Nacional) (pop. 2.359.327-2011). Second largest city: Santiago de los Caballeros (pop. 942,509).
People: Mixed 73%, European 16%, African origin 11%
Language(s): Spanish
Religion(s): Christian (Mostly Roman Catholic) 95% Other 5% (Jewish, Muslim, Hindu)
Major political parties: Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD), Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC) and several other minor parties.
Government: Representative Democracy
Head of State and Government: Dr Leonel Fernandez Reyna
Prime Minister/Premier: Not applicable
Foreign Minister: Carlos Morales Troncoso

People

About 67% of Dominicans live in urban areas; Haitians form the largest foreign minority group. Although freedom of religion is constitutionally recognised Roman Catholicism has wide reaching influence.

Nationality: Noun and adjective - Dominican(s)
Annual Population Growth Rate: 1.33% (2011 est.)
Education: Compulsory years - 6-17/18. Attendance – 6.9 Years%. Literacy - 88%.
Work Force: Services and Government - 31% (includes paraestatal corporations); Agriculture - 28%; Industry - 12%; Unemployment – 14.9%
 

The Military

The Ministry of Armed Forces is commanded by the President, Supreme Chief of the Armed Forces and National Police, whilst operating under the mandate of the Minister of Armed Forces. The Armed Forces is formed of three distinct institutions: National Army, Marines and the Air Force with 45,000 active duty personnel. The Dominican Republic's military is one of the top three in size in the Caribbean. Their roles include participating fully in counter-narcotics efforts, and in efforts to control contraband and illegal immigration from Haiti to the Dominican Republic and from the Dominican Republic to the United States.

HEALTH

Infant Mortality rate: 23.1/1000
Life expectancy:  71 years men and 75 women
 

HIV/AIDS

Adult Prevalence Rate: 1.1% (2010 est.)
People living with HIV/AIDS: 57,000(2009 est.)
HIV/AIDS deaths: 4,100 (2010 est.)

Country information

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Contacts

Dominican Republic

Address:

Embassy of the Dominican Republic
139 Inverness Terrace
Bayswater
London W2 6JF

Telephone:

(020) 7727 7091
(020) 7727 6285 - Consular

Fax:

(020) 7727 3693

Office hours:

Mon-Fri: 1000-1400

Website: http://www.dominicanembassy.org.uk