The Dominican Republic is the second-most-visited destination in the Caribbean and has the most hotel rooms. It has long attracted many European and Canadian visitors. Since the overthrow of the Trujillo dictatorship, the Dominican Republic has gradually changed from an isolated nation to one with an improved infrastructure, a welcoming attitude, and a largely tourist-based economy. A cultural melange, the nation occupies the eastern half of Hispaniola, one of the largest islands in the Caribbean.

The Dominican Republic entices with the lively sounds of merengue, haunting Spanish ruins, the Caribbean's lowest point (a lake in the Enriquillo National Park), and even its highest mountain peak. You will find spectacular beaches, waterfalls, natural parks of both desert and lush rainforest, multicolored tropical birds, rolling fields of sugarcane, baseball, and savory food.

The historic section of Santo Domingo has been restored to its colonial grandeur, but many of the nation's thousa nds of miles of palm-lined beaches remain pristine and sedate. The capital's frantic pace contrasts favorably with the resort town of Puerto Plata and the Saman Peninsula's sprawling jungle and deserted beaches.

The Dominican Republic is located on the eastern portion of Hispaniola, the second-largest island the Caribbean. Its neighbor Haiti is on the western portion of the island. Hispaniola was home to the Taino Indians when Christopher Columbus first set foot on the island. When the Spanish arrived and claimed the island for their kingdom, slavery was instituted, and most of the Taino population perished as a result of deteriorating living conditions and horrifyin treatment at the hands of the Spanish.

The French and the British also occupied various portions of Hispaniola, and the Dominican Republic remained a European colony until it gained its independence in 1844. The nation's most painful memory is perhaps the 31-year reign of bloodthirsty dictator Rafael Tr ujillo, who ascended to power in 1930, and ruled the nation with an iron fist until his assassination in 1961. Since then, the government has had theoretically democratic--but often fraudulent--elections. In any case, the country has been stable since the 1960s and it remains a favorite with travelers to the Caribbean.