The Dominican Republic, which consists of 31 provinces, was once a Spanish colony. The three most important provinces are Santo Domingo, Santiago, and Distrito Nacional. The country is in the Caribbean and shares two thirds of the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. In total, 48,671 square kilometers make up its surface area. The terrain of the nation is composed of verdant valleys, hills, and wild mountains. It has a tropical maritime climate with little variation in annual temperature. The total population residing there is over 10.6 million. Santo Domingo is the capital and most populated city in the country, home to almost 3 million people. Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is the largest international airport in the country, handling 7 million people yearly.. Mostly for leisure travel, the airport provides access to destinations all around the world. Dominican culture was greatly influenced by Spanish history. The majority of the populace identifies as Christians. The official language is Spanish. The Dominican legal system is based on the French Civil Code. There is a president and a republican form of government. The head of state and government is Luis Abinader Sanchez, the elected president. Elections are held every four years. The official currency, the Dominican Peso (DOP), is now valued at DOP 56.7 to the US dollar. The country's GDP is projected to be $121.289 billion in an open economy.Its population has an income per capita of $11,308. The bulk of GDP is generated by industry and service-related sectors. Tourism is important, as one of the most visited countries in the Caribbean is. The Dominican Republic is also increasing its mining activity with the start of Pueblo Viejo's extraction. This is one of the largest gold and silver mines in the world. Many tourists from all over the world appreciate taking vacations in the Dominican Republic. It is well known for its large beaches and gorgeous surroundings. Among the well-liked tourist destinations are Punta Cana, Las Galeras, Jarabacoa, and the Colonial City of Santo Domingo. The Colonial City of Santo Domingo is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Water and fishing sports, and hiking are the primary tourist activities.