2019 Edition

Background

The Taino - indigenous inhabitants of Hispaniola prior to the arrival of the Europeans - divided the island into five chiefdoms and territories. Christopher COLUMBUS explored and claimed the island on his first voyage in 1492; it became a springboard for Spanish conquest of the Caribbean and the American mainland. In 1697, Spain recognized French dominion over the western third of the island, which in 1804 became Haiti. The remainder of the island, by then known as Santo Domingo, sought to gain its own independence in 1821 but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years; it finally attained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844. In 1861, the Dominicans voluntarily returned to the Spanish Empire, but two years later they launched a war that restored independence in 1865. A legacy of unsettled, mostly non-representative rule followed, capped by the dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas TRUJILLO from 1930 to 1961. Juan BOSCH was elected president in 1962 but was deposed in a military coup in 1963. In 1965, the US led an intervention in the midst of a civil war sparked by an uprising to restore BOSCH. In 1966, Joaquin BALAGUER defeated BOSCH in the presidential election. BALAGUER maintained a tight grip on power for most of the next 30 years when international reaction to flawed elections forced him to curtail his term in 1996. Since then, regular competitive elections have been held in which opposition candidates have won the presidency. Former President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (first term 1996-2000) won election to a new term in 2004 following a constitutional amendment allowing presidents to serve more than one term, and was later reelected to a second consecutive term. In 2012, Danilo MEDINA Sanchez became president; he was reelected in 2016.

Area

Land

48,320 sq km

Total

48,670 sq km

Water

350 sq km

Area Comparative

slightly more than twice the size of New Jersey

Climate

tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall

Coastline

1,288 km

Elevation

Highest Point

Pico Duarte 3,098 m

Lowest Point

Lago Enriquillo -46 m

Mean Elevation

424 m

Environment Current Issues

water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs; deforestation

Environment International Agreements

Party To

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

Signed But Not Ratified

Law of the Sea

Geographic Coordinates

19 00 N, 70 40 W

Geography Note

shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern two-thirds makes up the Dominican Republic, western one-third is Haiti); the second largest country in the Antilles (after Cuba); geographically diverse with the Caribbean's tallest mountain, Pico Duarte, and lowest elevation and largest lake, Lago Enriquillo

Irrigated Land

3,070 sq km (2012)

Land Boundaries

Border Countries

Haiti 376 km

Total

376 km

Land Use

Agricultural Land

51.5% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Arable Land

16.6% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Crops

10.1% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Pasture

24.8% (2011 est.)

Forest

40.8% (2011 est.)

Other

7.7% (2011 est.)

Location

Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti

Map References

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime Claims

Contiguous Zone

24 nm

Continental Shelf

200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Exclusive Economic Zone

200 nm

Territorial Sea

12 nm

Natural Hazards

lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughts

Natural Resources

nickel, bauxite, gold, silver, arable land

Population Distribution

coastal development is significant, especially in the southern coastal plains and the Cibao Valley, where population density is highest; smaller population clusters exist in the interior mountains (Cordillera Central)

Terrain

rugged highlands and mountains interspersed with fertile valleys

Age Structure

0 14 Years

27.56% (male 1,442,926 /female 1,395,809)

15 24 Years

18.52% (male 969,467 /female 937,765)

25 54 Years

40.28% (male 2,112,813 /female 2,035,902)

55 64 Years

7.71% (male 397,821 /female 396,172)

65 Years And Over

5.92% (male 286,300 /female 323,781) (2018 est.)

Birth Rate

18.9 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Children Under The Age Of 5 Years Underweight

4% (2013)

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate

69.5% (2014)

Current Health Expenditure

6.2% (2016)

Death Rate

6.4 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Dependency Ratios

Elderly Dependency Ratio

10.5 (2015 est.)

Potential Support Ratio

9.5 (2015 est.)

Total Dependency Ratio

57.8 (2015 est.)

Youth Dependency Ratio

47.3 (2015 est.)

Drinking Water Source

Improved Rural

81.9% of population

Improved Total

84.7% of population

Improved Urban

85.4% of population

Unimproved Rural

18.1% of population

Unimproved Total

15.3% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

14.6% of population

Ethnic Groups

mixed 70.4% (mestizo/indio 58%, mulatto 12.4%), black 15.8%, white 13.5%, other 0.3% (2014 est.)

HIV/AIDS Adult Prevalence Rate

0.9% (2018 est.)

HIV/AIDS Deaths

1,200 (2018 est.)

HIV/AIDS People Living With HIV/AIDS

70,000 (2018 est.)

Hospital Bed Density

1.6 beds/1,000 population (2014)

Infant Mortality Rate

Female

20.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

25 deaths/1,000 live births

Total

22.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages

Spanish (official)

Life Expectancy at Birth

Female

73.1 years

Male

69.7 years

Total Population

71.3 years (2018 est.)

Literacy

Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Female

93.8% (2016)

Male

93.8%

Total Population

93.8%

Major Infectious Diseases

Degree Of Risk

high (2016)

Food Or Waterborne Diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever (2016)

Vectorborne Diseases

dengue fever (2016)

Major Urban Areas Population

3.245 million SANTO DOMINGO (capital) (2019)

Maternal Mortality Rate

95 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median Age

Female

27.4 years

Male

27.1 years

Total

27.3 years (2018 est.)

Mother's Mean Age at First Birth

21.3 years (2013 est.)

Nationality

Adjective

Dominican

Noun

Dominican(s)

Net Migration Rate

-2.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate

27.6% (2016)

Physicians Density

1.56 physicians/1,000 population (2017)

Population

10,298,756 (July 2018 est.)

Population Growth Rate

0.99% (2018 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 47.8%, Protestant 21.3%, other 2.2%, none 28%, don't know/no response .7% (2017 est.)

Sanitation Facility Access

Improved Rural

75.7% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Total

84% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Urban

86.2% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Rural

24.3% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Total

16% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

13.8% of population (2015 est.)

School Life Expectancy Primary To Tertiary Education

Female

14 years (2016)

Male

13 years

Total

14 years

Sex Ratio

0 14 Years

1.03 male(s)/female

15 24 Years

1.03 male(s)/female

25 54 Years

1.04 male(s)/female

55 64 Years

1 male(s)/female

65 Years And Over

0.88 male(s)/female

At Birth

1.04 male(s)/female

Total Population

1.02 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

2.28 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Unemployment Youth Ages 15 24

Female

19.7% (2017 est.)

Male

9.9%

Total

13.5%

Urbanization

Rate Of Urbanization

2.06% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Urban Population

81.8% of total population (2019)

Administrative Divisions

10 regions (regiones, singular - region); Cibao Nordeste, Cibao Noroeste, Cibao Norte, Cibao Sur, El Valle, Enriquillo, Higuamo, Ozama, Valdesia, Yuma

Capital

Geographic Coordinates

18 28 N, 69 54 W

Name

Santo Domingo

Time Difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

Citizenship By Birth

no

Citizenship By Descent Only

at least one parent must be a citizen of the Dominican Republic

Dual Citizenship Recognized

yes

Residency Requirement For Naturalization

2 years

Constitution

Amendments

proposed by a special session of the National Congress called the National Revisory Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority approval by at least one half of those present in both houses of the Assembly; passage of amendments to constitutional articles, such as fundamental rights and guarantees, territorial composition, nationality, or the procedures for constitutional reform, also requires approval in a referendum; amended many times, last in 2017 (2018)

History

many previous (38 total); latest proclaimed 13 June 2015

Country Name

Conventional Long Form

Dominican Republic

Conventional Short Form

The Dominican

Etymology

the country name derives from the capital city of Santo Domingo (Saint Dominic)

Local Long Form

Republica Dominicana

Local Short Form

La Dominicana

Diplomatic Representation From The Us

Chief Of Mission

Ambassador Robin BERNSTEIN (since 6 September 2018)

Embassy

Av. Republica de Colombia # 57, Santo Domingo

Fax

[1] (809) 686-7437

Mailing Address

Unit 5500, APO AA 34041-5500

Telephone

[1] (809) 567-7775

Diplomatic Representation In The Us

Chancery

1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

Chief Of Mission

Ambassador Jose Tomas PEREZ Vazquez (since 23 February 2015)

Consulate S

San Francisco

Consulate's General

Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Fax

[1] (202) 265-8057

Telephone

[1] (202) 332-6280, 660-2263

Executive Branch

Cabinet

Cabinet nominated by the president

Chief Of State

President Danilo MEDINA Sanchez (since 16 August 2012); Vice President Margarita CEDENO DE FERNANDEZ (since 16 August 2012); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

Election Results

Danilo MEDINA Sanchez reelected president in first round; percent of vote - Danilo MEDINA Sanchez (PLD) 61.7%, Luis Rodolfo ABINADER Corona (PRM) 35%, other 3.3%; Margarita CEDENO DE FERNANDEZ (PLD) reelected vice president

Elections Appointments

president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a maximum of two consecutive terms); election last held on 15 May 2016 (next to be held in 2020)

Head Of Government

President Danilo MEDINA Sanchez (since 16 August 2012); Vice President Margarita CEDENO DE FERNANDEZ (since 16 August 2012)

Flag Description

a centered white cross that extends to the edges divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are ultramarine blue (hoist side) and vermilion red, and the bottom ones are vermilion red (hoist side) and ultramarine blue; a small coat of arms featuring a shield supported by a laurel branch (left) and a palm branch (right) is at the center of the cross; above the shield a blue ribbon displays the motto, DIOS, PATRIA, LIBERTAD (God, Fatherland, Liberty), and below the shield, REPUBLICA DOMINICANA appears on a red ribbon; in the shield a bible is opened to a verse that reads "Y la verdad nos hara libre" (And the truth shall set you free); blue stands for liberty, white for salvation, and red for the blood of heroes

Government Type

presidential republic

Independence

27 February 1844 (from Haiti)

International Law Organization Participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International Organization Participation

ACP, AOSIS, BCIE, Caricom (observer), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OAS, OIF (observer), OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA (associated member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial Branch

Highest Courts

Supreme Court of Justice or Suprema Corte de Justicia (consists of a minimum of 16 magistrates); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (consists of 13 judges); note - the Constitutional Court was established in 2010 by constitutional amendment

Judge Selection And Term Of Office

Supreme Court and Constitutional Court judges appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary comprised of the president, the leaders of both chambers of congress, the president of the Supreme Court, and a non-governing party congressional representative; Supreme Court judges appointed for 7-year terms; Constitutional Court judges appointed for 9-year terms

Subordinate Courts

courts of appeal; courts of first instance; justices of the peace; special courts for juvenile, labor, and land cases; Contentious Administrative Court for cases filed against the government

Legal System

civil law system based on the French civil code; Criminal Procedures Code modified in 2004 to include important elements of an accusatory system

Legislative Branch

Description

bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of: Senate or Senado (32 seats; note - electoral system changes by the Central Election Commission are being challenged by the ruling party and opposition) House of Representatives or Camara de Diputados (190 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)

Election Results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLD 26, PRM 2, BIS 1, PLRD 1, PRD 1, PRSC 1; composition as of 2018 - men 29, women 3, percent of women 9.4% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLD 106, PRM 42, PRSC 18, PRD 16, PLRD 3, other 5; composition as of 2018 - men 139, women 51, percent of women 26.8%; note - total National Congress percent of women 24.3%

Elections

Senate - last held on 15 May 2016 (next to be held in May 2020) House of Representatives - last held on 15 May 2016 (next to be held in May 2020)

National Anthem

Lyrics Music

Emilio PRUD'HOMME/Jose REYES

Name

"Himno Nacional" (National Anthem)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 27 February (1844)

National Symbol S

palmchat (bird); national colors: red, white, blue

Political Parties And Leaders

Dominican Liberation Party or PLD [Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna] Dominican Revolutionary Party or PRD [Miguel VARGAS Maldonado] Institutional Social Democratic Bloc or BIS Liberal Reformist Party or PRL (formerly the Liberal Party of the Dominican Republic or PLRD) Modern Revolutionary Party or PRM [Jose Ignacio PALIZA] National Progressive Front or FNP [Vinicio CASTILLO, Pelegrin CASTILLO] Social Christian Reformist Party or PRSC [Federico ANTUN]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory; married persons regardless of age can vote; note - members of the armed forces and national police by law cannot vote

Agriculture Products

cocoa, tobacco, sugarcane, coffee, cotton, rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; cattle, pigs, dairy products, beef, eggs

Budget

Expenditures

13.62 billion (2017 est.)

Revenues

11.33 billion (2017 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

-3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

31 December 2016

15.08%

31 December 2017

13.91%

Current Account Balance

2016

-$815 million

2017

-$165 million

Debt External

31 December 2016

$27.7 billion

31 December 2017

$29.16 billion

Distribution Of Family Income Gini Index

2012

45.7

2013

47.1

Economy Overview

The Dominican Republic was for most of its history primarily an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, but over the last three decades the economy has become more diversified as the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy's largest employer, due to growth in construction, tourism, and free trade zones. The mining sector has also played a greater role in the export market since late 2012 with the commencement of the extraction phase of the Pueblo Viejo Gold and Silver mine, one of the largest gold mines in the world.For the last 20 years, the Dominican Republic has been one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America. The economy rebounded from the global recession in 2010-16, and the fiscal situation is improving. A tax reform package passed in November 2012, a reduction in government spending, and lower energy costs helped to narrow the central government budget deficit from 6.6% of GDP in 2012 to 2.6% in 2016, and public debt is declining. Marked income inequality, high unemployment, and underemployment remain important long-term challenges; the poorest half of the population receives less than one-fifth of GDP, while the richest 10% enjoys nearly 40% of GDP.The economy is highly dependent upon the US, the destination for approximately half of exports and the source of 40% of imports. Remittances from the US amount to about 7% of GDP, equivalent to about a third of exports and two-thirds of tourism receipts. The Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement came into force in March 2007, boosting investment and manufacturing exports.

Exchange Rates

2013

43.556

2014

45.052

2015

46.078

2016

46.078

2017

47.42

Currency

Dominican pesos (DOP) per US dollar -

Exports

2016

$9.86 billion

2017

$10.12 billion

Exports Commodities

gold, silver, cocoa, sugar, coffee, tobacco, meats, consumer goods

Exports Partners

US 50.3%, Haiti 9.1%, Canada 8.2%, India 5.6% (2017)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

GDP Composition By End Use

Exports Of Goods And Services

24.8% (2017 est.)

Government Consumption

12.2% (2017 est.)

Household Consumption

69.3% (2017 est.)

Imports Of Goods And Services

-28.1% (2017 est.)

Investment In Fixed Capital

21.9% (2017 est.)

Investment In Inventories

-0.1% (2017 est.)

GDP Composition By Sector Of Origin

Agriculture

5.6% (2017 est.)

Industry

33% (2017 est.)

Services

61.4% (2017 est.)

GDP Official Exchange Rate

$76.09 billion (2017 est.)

GDP Per Capita Ppp

2015

$15,500

2016

$16,400

2017

$17,000

GDP Purchasing Power Parity

2015

$155.2 billion

2016

$165.4 billion

2017

$173 billion

GDP Real Growth Rate

2015

7%

2016

6.6%

2017

4.6%

Gross National Saving

2015

20.7% of GDP

2016

20.8% of GDP

2017

21.6% of GDP

Household Income Or Consumption By Percentage Share

Highest 10

37.4% (2013 est.)

Lowest 10

1.9%

Imports

2016

$17.4 billion

2017

$17.7 billion

Imports Commodities

petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals

Imports Partners

US 41.4%, China 13.9%, Mexico 4.5%, Brazil 4.3% (2017)

Industrial Production Growth Rate

3.1% (2017 est.)

Industries

tourism, sugar processing, gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco, electrical components, medical devices

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

2016

1.6%

2017

3.3%

Labor Force

4.732 million (2017 est.)

Labor Force By Occupation

Agriculture

14.4%

Industry

20.8% (2014)

Services

64.7% (2014 est.)

Market Value Of Publicly Traded Shares

NA

Population Below Poverty Line

30.5% (2016 est.)

Public Debt

2016

34.6% of GDP

2017

37.2% of GDP

Reserves Of Foreign Exchange And Gold

31 December 2016

$6.134 billion

31 December 2017

$6.873 billion

Stock Of Broad Money

31 December 2016

$6.491 billion

31 December 2017

$7.011 billion

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad

31 December 2016

$387.8 million

31 December 2017

$408.6 million

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment at Home

31 December 2016

$33.56 billion

31 December 2017

$37.15 billion

Stock Of Domestic Credit

31 December 2016

$33.6 billion

31 December 2017

$35.42 billion

Stock Of Narrow Money

31 December 2016

$6.491 billion

31 December 2017

$7.011 billion

Taxes And Other Revenues

14.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment Rate

2016

5.5%

2017

5.1%

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Consumption Of Energy

23.79 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Imports

16,980 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Production

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude Oil Proved Reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity Access

100% (2016)

Electricity Consumption

15.64 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity From Fossil Fuels

77% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity From Hydroelectric Plants

16% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Nuclear Fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Other Renewable Sources

7% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity Imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Installed Generating Capacity

3.839 million kW (2016 est.)

Electricity Production

18.03 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Natural Gas Consumption

1.161 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Imports

1.161 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Production

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Proved Reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Consumption

134,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Imports

108,500 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Production

16,060 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Broadcast Media

combination of state-owned and privately owned broadcast media; 1 state-owned TV network and a number of private TV networks; networks operate repeaters to extend signals throughout country; combination of state-owned and privately owned radio stations with more than 300 radio stations operating (2019)

Internet Country Code

.do

Internet Users

Percent Of Population

61.3% (July 2016 est.)

Total

6,504,998

Telephone System

Domestic

fixed-line teledensity is about 12 per 100 persons; multiple providers of mobile-cellular service with a subscribership of over 80 per 100 persons (2018)

General Assessment

relatively efficient system based on island-wide microwave radio relay network; there are multiple operators licensed to provide services, most of them are small and localized; the telecom sector across the Caribbean region remains one of the key growth areas (2018)

International

country code - 1-809; 1-829; 1-849; landing point for the ARCOS-1, Antillas 1, AMX-1, SAm-1, East-West, Deep Blue Cable and the Fibralink submarine cables that provide links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)

Telephones Fixed Lines

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

12 (2017 est.)

Total Subscriptions

1,329,852

Telephones Mobile Cellular

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

82 (2017 est.)

Total Subscriptions

8,769,127

Airports

36 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

1 524 To 2 437 M

4 (2017)

2 438 To 3 047 M

4 (2017)

914 To 1 523 M

4 (2017)

Over 3 047 M

3 (2017)

Total

16 (2017)

Under 914 M

1 (2017)

Airports With Unpaved Runways

1 524 To 2 437 M

1 (2013)

914 To 1 523 M

1 (2013)

Total

20 (2013)

Under 914 M

18 (2013)

Civil Aircraft Registration Country Code Prefix

HI (2016)

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant Marine

By Type

general cargo 2, oil tanker 1, other 20 (2018)

Total

23

National Air Transport System

Annual Freight Traffic On Registered Air Carriers

0 mt-km (2015)

Annual Passenger Traffic On Registered Air Carriers

14,463 (2015)

Inventory Of Registered Aircraft Operated By Air Carriers

6 (2015)

Number Of Registered Air Carriers

1 (2015)

Pipelines

27 km gas, 103 km oil (2013)

Ports And Terminals

Lng Terminal's Import

Andres LNG terminal (Boca Chica)

Major Seaport S

Puerto Haina, Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo

Oil Terminal S

Punta Nizao oil terminal

Railways

Narrow Gauge

142 km 0.762-m gauge (2014)

Standard Gauge

354 km 1.435-m gauge (2014)

Total

496 km (2014)

Roadways

Paved

9,872 km (2002)

Total

19,705 km (2002)

Unpaved

9,833 km (2002)

Military And Security Forces

Armed Forces of the Dominican Republic: Army (Ejercito Nacional, EN), Navy (Marina de Guerra, MdG, includes naval infantry), Dominican Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Dominicana, FAD) (2017)

Military Expenditures

2014

0.67% of GDP

2015

0.67% of GDP

2016

0.67% of GDP

2017

0.66% of GDP

2018

0.74% of GDP

Military Service Age And Obligation

17-21 years of age for voluntary military service; recruits must have completed primary school and be Dominican Republic citizens; women may volunteer (2012)

Disputes International

Haitian migrants cross the porous border into the Dominican Republic to find work; illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage each year to Puerto Rico to find better work

Illicit Drugs

transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; has become a transshipment point for ecstasy from the Netherlands and Belgium destined for US and Canada; substantial money laundering activity in particular by Colombian narcotics traffickers; significant amphetamine consumption

Refugees And Internally Displaced Persons

Refugees Country Of Origin

8,119 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum or have received alternative legal stay) (2019)

Stateless Persons

133,770 (2016); note - a September 2013 Constitutional Court ruling revoked the citizenship of those born after 1929 to immigrants without proper documentation, even though the constitution at the time automatically granted citizenship to children born in the Dominican Republic and the 2010 constitution provides that constitutional provisions cannot be applied retroactively; the decision overwhelmingly affected people of Haitian descent whose relatives had come to the Dominican Republic since the 1890s as a cheap source of labor for sugar plantations; a May 2014 law passed by the Dominican Congress regularizes the status of those with birth certificates but will require those without them to prove they were born in the Dominican Republic and to apply for naturalization; the government has issued documents to thousands of individuals who may claim citizenship under this law, but no official estimate has been released