The Dominican Republic Is in the Caribbean, Not Asia

The Dominican Republic is not in Asia. It occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea, part of the North American continent.

Geographic Context

• Coordinates: 18°–20°N, 68°–72°W
• Neighbors: Haiti (west, same island), Puerto Rico (east, 80 mi), Cuba (west, 150 mi), Jamaica (southwest, 250 mi)
• Region: Greater Antilles, Caribbean, North America
• Capital: Santo Domingo (oldest European city in Americas, 1496)

Why the Confusion Might Arise

• Distance: ~14,000 km (8,700 mi) from East Asia
• No cultural, historical, or tectonic connection to Asia
• Possible mix-up with "Dominica" (Lesser Antilles) or Asian-sounding names

Key Characteristics

• Population: ~11 million
• Language: Spanish (official)
• Economy: Tourism, mining (gold, nickel), remittances, free zones
• Baseball: 2nd most MLB players outside US (after US itself)
• Merengue/Bachata: National music/dance