FACTS

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

Area (only Total) total: 48,730 sq km

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

Terrain: rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed

Population: 9,507,133 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): Spanish

Government type: democratic republic

Capital (Name): Santo Domingo

Capital (Time Difference): UTC-4

Independence: 27 February 1844 (from Haiti)

National holiday: Independence Day, 27 February (1844)