The
Island of Hispaniola
Do you have a desire to explore one of the Caribbean's
most beautiful and culturally rich islands? Then you have found the
right web page. The information provided here will assist you in planning
and preparing for your next trip to Haiti or the Dominican Republic on
the Island of Hispaniola.
One might expect that a relatively small island such
as Hispaniola (from Spanish 'Isla Espanola' the Spanish island)
lying in the heart of the Caribbean would be occupied by one nation, or
at least that its people should demonstrate ethnic and cultural similarities.
However, that is not the case on the Island of Hispaniola. Hispaniola,
with an area of just over 75,800 sq km, not much more than half the size
of Cuba, is shared by two very different countries, the Dominican Republic
and Haiti. The original indigenous name for the island, Quisqueya, is still
used in the Dominican Republic as an 'elegant variation'. Hispaniola is
mountainous and forested, with plains and plateaux. Haiti, with 27,700
sq km, has a population of 6.6 million increasing at an annual rate of
1.7%. The Dominican Republic is much larger in area, 48,443 sq km, including
some offshore islands, but its population is not much more at 7.8 million,
growing at 1.9% a year. In the Dominican Republic, 65% of the population
is urban, yet only 31% in Haiti live in towns. The climate
is tropical but tempered by sea breezes. The cooler months are between
December and March.
Are you Ready? Let's Travel . . .
Haiti
Dominican
Rebublic
In 1492 Christopher Columbus proclaimed that "there is no more
beautiful island in the world" than Hispaniola. For many visitors today,
the Dominican Republic still represents that. It is a paradise to discover
- its golden sandy beaches, its crystal clear turquoise waters, its mysterious
valleys, its majestic mountains and its wonderfully friendly inhabitants.
After you browse the information on this web page, please check out 
for more information.
Return to Main Page
Go on to the Dominican Republic Page
Go on to the Haiti Page
Go to the Links Page
This page created and maintained by Jean C. Philemond
Last updated on December 13, 1998
Please email me if you have any comments
