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Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES,
LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, PetroCaribe, RG,
SICA (associated member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina,
UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto B. SALADIN Selin
chancery: 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332–6280
FAX: [1] (202) 265–8057
consulate(s) general: Anchorage, Boston, Chicago, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Sun Valley (California)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Raul H. YZAGUIRRE
embassy: corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro, Santo Domingo
mailing address: Unit 5500, APO AA 34041–5500
telephone: [1] (809) 221–2171
FAX: [1] (809) 686–7437
Flag description:
a centered white cross that extends to the edges divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, and the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of arms featuring a shield supported by a laurel branch (left) and a palm branch (right) is at the center of the cross; above the shield a blue ribbon displays the motto, DIOS, PATRIA, LIBERTAD (God, Fatherland, Liberty), and below the shield, REPUBLICA DOMINICANA appears on a red ribbon; in the shield a bible is opened to a verse that reads "Y la verdad nos hara libre" (And the truth shall set you free); blue stands for liberty, white for salvation, and red for the blood of heroes
National anthem:
name: "Himno Nacional" (National Anthem)
lyrics/music: Emilio PRUD"HOMME/Jose REYES
note: adopted 1934; also known as "Quisqueyanos valientes" (Valient Sons of Quisqueye); the anthem never refers to the people as Dominican but rather calls them "Quisqueyanos," a reference to the indigenous name of the island
Economy ::Dominican Republic
Economy - overview:
The Dominican Republic has long been viewed primarily as an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, but in recent years the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy's largest employer, due to growth in tourism and free trade zones. The economy is highly dependent upon the US, the destination for nearly 60% of exports. Remittances from the US amount to about a tenth of GDP, equivalent to almost half of exports and three-quarters of tourism receipts. The country suffers from marked income inequality; the poorest half of the population receives less than one-fifth of GDP, while the richest 10% enjoys nearly 40% of GDP. High unemployment and underemployment remains an important long-term challenge. The Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) came into force in March 2007, boosting investment and exports and reducing losses to the Asian garment industry. The growth of the Dominican Republic's economy slowed in 2008–09 because of the global recession, but still remained one of the fastest growing in the region.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$84.94 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 $81.52 billion (2009 est.)
$78.76 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$50.87 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 3.5% (2009 est.)
5.3% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$8,600 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 $8,400 (2009 est.)
$8,200 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 11.5%
industry: 21%
services: 67.5% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
4.498 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 80
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 14.6%
industry: 22.3%
services: 63.1% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
14.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 14.9% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
42.2% (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.5%
highest 10%: 38.7% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
49.9 (2005) country comparison to the world: 25 47.4 (1998)
Investment (gross fixed):
15.4% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 126
Public debt:
41.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 40.8% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 1.4% (2009 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
18.14% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 19.95% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$4.734 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 93 $4.079 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$15.71 billion (31 December
