Welcome to the Dominican Republic, a vibrant nation that shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. There are around 11 million people living here, and the capital is Santo Domingo, which holds the title of the oldest permanent European settlement in the Americas. The official language is Spanish.

The country covers about 48,671 square kilometers (18,792 square miles). To imagine its size, the country is roughly the same size as the states of Vermont and New Hampshire combined in the U.S., or about the same size as Slovakia in Europe. It is a land of incredible geographical diversity, containing both the Caribbean’s highest mountain and its lowest point.

The most popular sport is Baseball, and the country is famous for producing more Major League players than almost any other nation outside the U.S. Their national animal is the Palmchat, a small, social songbird that builds massive, multi-family nests in the tops of palm trees.

The flag features a centered white cross that extends to the edges and divides the flag into four rectangles—top blue and red, and bottom red and blue—where the blue represents liberty, the red symbolizes the blood of heroes, and the white cross stands for salvation.

The food is a delicious “Creole” mix of Spanish, African, and Taíno influences. You must try La Bandera Dominicana (The Dominican Flag), a traditional lunch plate consisting of rice, red beans, and stewed meat. For a unique snack, try Mangú, which is mashed green plantains typically topped with pickled red onions and served with fried cheese and salami.

The Dominican Republic is home to the Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo, where you can walk on the first paved street of the New World and see the first cathedral ever built in the Americas. In the center of the country, you’ll find Pico Duarte, the highest peak in the Caribbean, reaching over 10,000 feet into the clouds. If you visit Lake Enriquillo, you’ll be standing at the lowest point in the Caribbean in a saltwater lake that is home to American crocodiles! The country is also the only place in the world where you can find Larimar, a rare, stunning blue volcanic stone that looks like the colors of the Caribbean Sea.

From the world-famous white sands of Punta Cana to the rhythmic beats of Merengue and Bachata music, the Dominican Republic is a land of history and tropical energy. ¡Gracias! That means “Thank you!”