The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean country that resides on the island of the Hisponola and borders Haiti. This Spanish speaking country's economy relies heavily on the industries of agriculture and tourism. The main export from the Dominican Republic is cocoa, coffee, sugar, tobacco and several others. In 2018 alone, there were approximately 6.5 million tourists that visited the country that has a population of nearly 10.77 million people. There are many scenic beaches in the country's capital. Fortunately, six years ago, fresh out of high school, I got the opportunity to live in the Dominican Republic. I learned the positives of the country and also some of the uncomfortable realities as well.
The reason some people call Dominican Republic a paradise is because of the spectacular views people can enjoy on the beaches. The country is literally 9,784,847 square kilometers smaller than the United States, so anywhere a tourist stays they are relatively close to a beach. Tourists that visit the island for a short time usually interact with Dominicans who are very friendly, talkative and helpful. Dominican Republic is a country known for people who are very sociable and never shy away from a conversation.
Also another component that adds to the allure of an island of paradise is the external beauty of the people. Dominican Republic has had two winners in the major international beauty pageants such as Miss Universe and Miss World. From the beautiful women, to the amazing beaches and even the sociable spirit, Dominican Republic seems like a paradise, but if you leave the tourist resorts it's easy to see some of the hardships that plague the island.
Most people from developed countries in western culture may take for granted some of the basic necessities that a majority of the people in the Dominican Republic lack. For example, hot water and running water for the the bathroom or kitchen sink is not always available and the electricity for lights and internet can be sporadic.
The reason these necessities are not always met is because of the poverty that engulfs the country. According to the World Bank, 74% of Dominicans do not have access to clean water and 1 out of every 3 people live in poverty. The symptoms of these issues can be seen in the criminal activity of the country. The Dominican Republic was listed in 2017 as the tenth highest leader in the homicide rate for a country by the World Health Organization.
Even though there are many issues in the Dominican Republic I still would recommend the country as a destination for expatriates to live in. The beauty of the island and the people surpass the basic hardships from which the island suffers. Criminal activity in the country is undeniable, but is also avoidable by choosing to live in more secure cities and neighborhoods. When I look back at my time in the Dominican Republic the positive memories far outweigh dealing with some of the realities of the island.
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