The Dominican Republic takes two thirds of the late island Hispaniola; Haiti lies in the western third. The official language of the peninsula is Spanish, whereas in some regions they speak English, French or Creole. As a part of the Greater Antilles, the Dominican Republic is located right between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. In the outer tropics you find a humid and warm climate, whereupon the south side of the island is drier than the north. Therefore the vegetation is very different and versatile. The average temperature is 28°C and also the water keeps a convenient temperature of 25°C which make the Dominican Republic a year-round destination. With its five mountain ranges the island is very mountainous, only in the east the ranges flatten to the coast. The contrast between the high mountains and the even, endless beaches creates a fantastic natural scenery. The road system is extended very far and with numerous public transports, like busses and taxis, you can reach almost every spot on the island. The culture and the music of the Dominican Republic are influenced by Spanish and African impacts. Beef specialties and the variety of delicate fish dishes and seafood are among the island´s culinary characteristics. The Dominican Republic is the perfect place for activity holidays. Besides many hiking and horseback riding trails there are a lot of golf courses and tennis courts, which are gladly used by tourists. Another favourite place to go is the national park of Punta Cana, a city in the south east of the island with long beaches. The Dominican Republic is also said to be the surfers´ paradise in the Caribbean. Numberless shopping facilities can be found in cities like Santo Domingo or Samaná. This little peninsula also bribes with its idyllic white beaches. From Samaná it only takes a few minutes by boat to get to the small Bacardi island Cayo Levantado. But also at the Playa Minitas or at the Playa Bávaro, seaside vacationers will find a quiet spot under shady palm trees. The airports of the Dominican Republic are located in Santo Domingo, Puerto Plato, Punta Cana, La Romana, Semaná and Santiagode los Caballeros.