Country Info >> Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic, known primarily for its tourism, sugar, coffee and tobacco industries, has enjoyed strong GDP growth since 2005, with double digit growth in 2006. In recent years the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy's largest employer due to growth in tourism and free trade zones. The economy is highly dependent upon the US, the source of nearly 80% of exports, and remittances represent about a tenth of GDP, equivalent to almost half of exports and three-quarters of tourism receipts. Challenges include strong unemployment and a continued inequity in economic means by the rich and poor, but that gap is decreasing.
Sources include CIA-The World Factbook
Per Capita GDP
$9,200 as of (2006 est.) Source: CIA-The World Factbook
Main-Line Phones
897,000 as of (2006) Source: CIA-The World Factbook
Mobile Phones
4,600,000 as of (2006) Source: CIA-The World Factbook
Internet Users
1,232,000 as of (2006) Source: CIA-The World Factbook
Cable TV Households
175,000 as of (2007) Source: LMS estimate
Time Zone Vs. Eastern Time (New York, Miami)
+1 hour, during Daylight Standard Time
Country Statistics
CapitalSanto Domingo
Government Type
Democratic Republic
Leadership
President Fernandez Reyna
Language
Spanish
Primary Religion(s)
Roman Catholic (95%)
Currency
Dominican Peso (DOP)
Exchange Rate
33.45 DOP per US$1 (Jan '08)
Population
9,365,818 (est. July '07)
Location
Shares Caribbean island of Hispaniola with Haita
Area
48,730 sq km, roughly twice the size of New Hamphire
Border Countries
Haiti