Location

Anacaona Avenue in Santo Domingo
Map of Dominican Republic
Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo is the capital and largest city of the Dominican Republic. It is located on the southern coast of the country bordering the Caribbean Sea at the mouth of the Ozama River. The city is about a four hour drive to the Dominican Republics eastern, northern and farthest western border. Santo Domingo features a tropical monsoon climate although the city seldom experiences the oppressive heat and humidity typical to most tropical climates.

Santo Domingo quick location facts:

  • Altitude: 60 ft above sea level
  • Latitude: 18°30'N
  • Longitude: 69°59'W

Demographics

Santo Domingo's population was 3,014,000 in 2007. The Dominican population is about 73% multiracial, 16% white, and 11% black. Around 15% of this population has Taíno, Pre-Colombian, ancestry. About 90% of the contemporary Dominican population has West African ancestry to varying degrees. Although due to rampant racism instituted during the Spanish Empire few will self identify as black.

The Dominican Republic is 68.9% Roman Catholic, 18.2% Evangelical, 10.6% with no religion, and 2.3% other. With the exception of the Trujillo reign in the 1950's there has always been religious freedom in the country.

Almost all of the Dominican Republic is Spanish speaking. Many of the schools are bilingual with English as the secondary language. People of Haitian descent will often speak Haitian Creole. There is about 8,000 speakers of Samaná English in the Samaná Peninsula. Samaná English is a language derived from enslaved Africans whom arrived in the 19th century.

Officially, school is free and compulsory from the ages 5 to 14. Many who live in isolated area have limited access to this school system. Most wealthier students attend private schools sponsored by religious organizations.

Natural Setting

Economics

Climate

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic [1] Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Tot
Daily Max Temperature (oF) 81 84 84 86 86 88 91 93 88 88 88 94 87
Daily Avg Temperature (oF) 75 75 77 79 79 81 81 81 81 81 79 77 79
Daily Min Temperature (oF) 61 66 68 70 72 73 75 72 72 72 70 76 68
Monthly Rainfall (in) 2.2 1.7 1.9 3.0 7.0 6.1 6.1 6.4 6.8 6.5 4.4 2.5 84.5

Phone Calls

The least expensive method to call between the US and Dominican Republic is by using VOIP such as Skype.

Travel information to Santo Domingo

The most common way to arrive in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic from the states is by flying into the large international airport - Las Américas International Airport (SDQ). It is also acceptable to fly into the smaller, usually domestic, airport - La Isabela International Airport (JBQ).

Try to arrive the morning of Saturday, May 28th, 2011. The program starts on May 30th, 2011 and ends on Friday, July 8th, 2011. You can fly out any time after the night of the program, but your home-stay will only be paid for until the last day.

How to arrive from the airport

Arrival information will be posted two weeks before the program start date for Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) and La Isabela International Airport (JBQ).

Important Contact Information

Universidad Intercultural de Chiapas (UNICH)
San Cristóbal de las Casas
Chiapas, México
Tel:(967) 631-6151, 631-4886 y 631-4888
Fax:(967) 631-6152 
Lic. Ursula Lascurain H.
OTROS MUNDOS A.C.
Francisco I. Madero 49 
Barrio de Guadalupe 29230 San Cristóbal de las Casas
Chiapas, México
Tel (967) 6316643
http://www.otrosmundoschiapas.org
Humboldt State University
1 Harpst St.
Arcata, CA 95521-8299
Information: (707) 826-3011
HSU Police: (707) 826-3456 (They have our US emergency contact information)
Lonny Grafman
lonny@humboldt.edu
HSU Phone: (707) 826-3649

More info

References

Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies.