Quoting national poet Pedro Mir: Hay un país en el mundo colocado en el mismo trayecto del sol oriundo de la noche. Colocado en un inverosímil archipiélago de azúcar y alcohol llamado; República Dominicana es el segundo país más grande y más diverso del Caribe (There is a country in the world placed along the path of the sun that gives rise to night. Located in an incredible archipelago of sugar and alcohol called the Dominican Republic, the second biggest country and the most diverse in the Caribbean). The country’s area is 48,311 square kilometers, and it has 9,445,281 inhabitants, according to the 2010 Census. Discovered in 1492, the Dominican Republic has a fascinating history, thrilling museums and cultural experiences such as music, art and festivals; besides a variety of Dominican specialties, namely, cigars, rum, chocolate, coffee, amber and larimar; merengue dance, lush, sublime beaches which turn this half-island into a great destination for locals and foreigners.