"The Dominican Republic has experienced tremendous economic growth in recent years. Its pristine beaches and beautiful mountains make it a popular tourism spot, and its vibrant culture contains many aspects that are unique to the country. Exotic fruits, merengue music, baseball, and a humpback whale sanctuary are only the beginning of what the Dominican Republic has to offer. Full-color photographs and detailed maps augment the engaging text, bringing the Dominican Republic to life before readers eyes. Informative sidebars delve deeper into interesting topics, presenting a well-rounded picture of this multifaceted country"--.