Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic and the largest city in the Caribbean by population. Santo Domingo is the cultural, financial, political, commercial and industrial center of the Dominican Republic, with the country’s most important industries being located within the city. Santo Domingo also serves as the chief seaport of the country.
The Colonial Zone is both an important historical site and a vibrant neighborhood that is currently experiencing a cultural and economic renaissance. Founded in 1498, the Santo Domingo Colonial Zone is the oldest European settlement in the New World. In 1990, the entire area was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Today, the population of the Dominican Republic is approximately 70% multiracial, 15% white and 15% black. This blending of cultures can be seen in all aspects of Dominican life, but is perhaps most apparent in the country’s rich artistic, musical and culinary traditions.