Dominican Republic Neighbouring Countries on the Map
Geography of the Dominican Republic and Haiti
The Dominican Republic and Haiti each paint a distinct picture on the canvas of Hispaniola, sharing a slice of land but marching to the beats of their own drums in culture and economy.
Border Length and Location
Sitting snugly on the eastern half of the island, the Dominican Republic only rubs shoulders with Haiti. Their border, not straying too far or wide, measures about 234 miles from Punta de Agua to Las Lajas, running from east to west (World Atlas).
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Country Buddy | Haiti |
| Border Stretch | 234 miles |
| Border Path | East to West |
| First Step | Punta de Agua |
| Last Spot | Las Lajas |
You can snoop around our other articles on haiti neighboring countries and jamaica neighboring countries if you’re curious.
Economic Ups and Downs
The Dominican Republic lives in the economic fast lane, while Haiti, unfortunately, lags behind with an economy dwarfed by about 600% in comparison. This gap is all too clear in things like GDP, infrastructure, and the comforts folks have in life.
| Indicator | Dominican Republic | Haiti |
|---|---|---|
| GDP (est.) | $89 billion | $14 billion |
| Economy Pace | Faster | Slower |
| Infrastructure | More Spruced Up | Needs a Brush-Up |
If you’re on the hunt for more economic tales, check out our pieces on ecuador neighboring countries and ethiopia neighboring countries.
The Dominican Republic and Haiti, though sharing soil, stand as a prime example of how two close countries can be so different in more ways than one. Getting a grip on these contrasts not only unravels the challenges here but also spotlights the unique opportunities these nations might bring to the table.
Surrounding Water Bodies
Grasping the geography of the Dominican Republic means checking out its closeness to nearby areas and the water that hugs it.
Proximity to Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico might not be next door with a fence line, but it’s right there, separated from the Dominican Republic by about 80 miles of salty sea called the Mona Passage. This passage punches an important line for ships between the Greater Antilles islands. The Dominican Republic, chilling near Puerto Rico, is in a sweet spot for swapping goods, people, and a bit of culture vibe with its Caribbean buddy.
Location in the Caribbean
The Dominican Republic hogs most of Hispaniola, sharing digs with Haiti. Hispaniola’s one hefty island in the Caribbean house, the Greater Antilles. To its north flows the Atlantic Ocean, and south, the soothing waves of the Caribbean Sea give it a splash.
| Neighborly Spots | Distance from Dominican Republic |
|---|---|
| Mona Passage | 80 miles |
| Turks and Caicos Islands | 90 miles |
| Colombia | 300 miles |
The Dominican Republic’s neighborhood, especially the watery bits, shapes its weather, trade moves, and how many sun-seekers drop by. If you’re itching to know more about its neighboring nations or want to dive into the tourism impact on its economy, those links are your friends.
Climate and Terrain
Gettin’ the lay of the land, and the sky, in the Dominican Republic is like peelin’ back the layers of a big ol’ onion. Each layer tells ya something new about its environment and what’s unique beneath the sun-baked crust.
Climate Characteristics
The Dominican Republic’s weather is a bit like a tropical holiday romance. It’s mostly warm and breezy, thanks to those northeast winds that dance all year long (Britannica). On average, folks are chillin’ in about 77 °F (25 °C). Here’s how things stack up in different corners of this sun-kissed getaway:
| Region | Climate | Rainfall Patterns |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast | Tropical-mountainous | Drenched the most |
| Far West | Semi-arid | Drier as a bone |
| Southwestern Valleys | Semi-arid | Less soggy |
These shifts in weather patterns come thanks to the terrain’s ups and downs, with the northeast often reaching for its umbrella while western parts barely get a sprinkle.
Mountain Ranges and Valleys
Talk about some impressive hilltops and swooping valleys! It’s what gives this place its heart and soul, shaping its features into something mighty grand.
Major Mountain Ranges
- Cordillera Central: This is the big mama of mountain chains here, and it’s got Pico Duarte, which stands taller than any other Caribbean peak.
- Cordillera Septentrional: Stretching its muscles along the north coast.
- Sierra de Neiba: Just beneath the Cordillera Central.
- Sierra de Bahoruco: Running alongside its buddy, Sierra de Neiba.
These mountain ranges hug the land from northwest to southeast, giving the ground a rich and complex character (Britannica).
| Mountain Range | Notable Features |
|---|---|
| Cordillera Central | Holds Pico Duarte (Highest head honcho) |
| Cordillera Septentrional | Northerly ridge runner |
| Sierra de Neiba | Southern gem |
| Sierra de Bahoruco | Sidekick to Sierra de Neiba |
Fertile Valleys
Nestled between Sierra de Neiba and Sierra de Bahoruco is Lake Enriquillo, the biggest natural puddle around these parts. These hulking mountain ranges and rolling valleys play a big part in what keeps the Dominican Republic’s farms busy and its nature diverse.
Lookin’ for more geographical lowdowns? Check out our writes on Ecuador’s nearby buddies and Greece’s neighboring pals.
Infrastructure and Connectivity
The Dominican Republic, chilling next to Haiti, is known for its slick infrastructure, which is a big deal for its economy and its role in the area.
Ports and Airports
The Dominican Republic’s sweet spot in the Caribbean is supported by its ports and airports. They’ve got a bunch of them handling trade and tourists from all over.
Maritime Ports
Main locations where the action happens:
| Port Location | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Barahona | Moving Stuff |
| La Romana | Moving Stuff & Cruise Ships |
| Manzanillo | Moving Stuff |
| Puerto Plata | Moving Stuff & Cruise Ships |
| San Pedro de Macorís | Moving Stuff |
| Santo Domingo | Moving Stuff & Cruise Ships |
On top of that, there’s a fancy terminal at the Caucedo Peninsula near Santo Domingo, taking care of containers and making sure stuff gets in and out smoothly.
Airports
The country keeps things buzzing with seven international airports and three small ones:
| Airport | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Las Americas International | Santo Domingo | International |
| Punta Cana International | Punta Cana | International |
| Gregorio Luperón International | Puerto Plata | International |
| La Romana International | La Romana | International |
| Cibao International | Santiago | International |
| El Catey International | Samaná | International |
| La Isabela | Santo Domingo | Domestic |
| Arroyo Barril | Samaná | Domestic |
| María Montez | Barahona | Domestic |
This airline network pulls in tourists, supports biz travel, and greases the wheels of international trade.
Economic Impacts of Tourism
Tourism’s a big win for the Dominican cash flow. The last 20 years have been all about growth, with vacationers leading the charge:
| Year | Tourist Arrivals (Millions) | GDP Growth (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 5.6 | 6.6 |
| 2020 | 4.5 | -6.7 (Down to COVID-19) |
| 2024 (Projected) | 7.0 | 5.1 |
Thanks to tourists, the economy’s seen serious gains, helping people out of tough times and boosting access to basics like housing, schools, and healthcare. Visitors have sparked new hotels, resorts, more fun spots, and overall improvements.
The cash from tourism ripples out to different sectors, from farms to hotels, sparking lots of industries. Both the government and businesses push hard to showcase the Dominican Republic as the travel hotspot, pushing for growth that’s fair and good for everyone.
You curious about more places and how they’re doing? Check out other spots like Ecuador in our other posts.
Recent Border Tensions
Border Closure
Tensions have been brewing between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, causing problems at their shared border. Following a huge prison escape and a surge of violence in Haiti, the Dominican Republic took the serious step of shutting down its border, amping up security. President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic didn’t just stop at the closure. He’s ramped up patrols and even started building a massive 108-mile wall to manage the flow of people migrating across.
Things got even more heated when the Dominican Republic accused Haiti of overstepping some boundaries amid the ongoing tension. Dominican leaders have been pretty vocal, urging Haiti to get things under control on its side to keep the peace (AP News). It didn’t help that there was a showdown between Dominican soldiers and a Haitian environmental group near the border, making the relationship even more rocky.
But there’s a silver lining—both countries have agreed to try and ease the tension and keep things from spiraling (AP News).
Social and Environmental Impacts
Shutting the border has sent ripples through the social and environmental scenes of both nations. In Haiti, folks are worried about their safety with all the ongoing violence. Over 200 Americans find themselves stuck there, unable to leave because of the conflict and shut airports and borders.
The social scene along the border took a hit too. Many locals who rely on crossing the border every day to make a living are in a tough spot. Heightened security has thrown a wrench into the usual flow of trade and movement, shaking up the economy of border towns and areas on both sides.
Environmentally, the spat involving Dominican soldiers and a Haitian green brigade has put a spotlight on the fragile state of nature along the border. And throw in the new wall being built by the Dominican Republic—there are legitimate worries about what that’s going to do to the local ecosystem. While both nations have committed to sort things out, the tension is still there, humming beneath the surface (AP News).
For more insights on countries that share borders with Haiti, have a look at Haiti neighboring countries and if you’re interested in Ecuador’s neighbors too, check out Ecuador neighboring countries.
Path to Economic Advancement
The Dominican Republic’s shift from a farm-focused economy to a more varied and forward-thinking one is nothing short of impressive. We’re going to take a look at how this economic switcharoo came about and the changes that helped build a solid foundation for ongoing progress.
Transformation of Economy
Back in the day, the Dominican Republic was all about agriculture. Fast forward a bit, and manufacturing took the spotlight. Now, services are running the show with all sorts of businesses mixing it up. This big mix-up has been a game changer for the pocketbooks of Dominican families, who are now better off than they were 50 years ago (IMF).
A peek at how the Dominican economy has changed:
| Timeframe | Main Money Maker | Happening Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s – 1990s | Agriculture | Set up a basic cash system |
| 2000s | Manufacturing | Factories popping up, more jobs |
| 2010s – Now | Services | More types of work, less poverty |
This economic shake-up makes the Dominican Republic tougher against global financial hiccups and geared up for lasting prosperity.
Structural Reforms and Growth
To keep the economic engine humming and inch closer to advanced economy status, the Dominican Republic has rolled out several big changes across the board to make the country more productive and robust.
Major Overhauls:
- Boosting Schooling: Pouring resources into education to spin out a talented workforce.
- Power Sector Fixes: Making sure the lights stay on efficiently.
- Disaster Readiness: Fortifying infrastructure to brace for Mother Nature’s knocks.
- Tackling Informal Employment: Bringing under-the-table jobs into the official fold.
- Business-Friendly Environment: Setting the stage for companies and investors.
- Tech and Innovation Push: Riding the tech wave for economic momentum.
By staying the course with these steps, the Dominican Republic is eyeing a consistent growth rate of about 5% a year and is on track to hit investment-grade status, gearing up for an advanced economy label by 2060 (IMF).
Hungry for more about how other countries in the region are getting their act together? Check out what’s happening next door by reading about Ecuador neighboring countries and Egypt neighboring countries.