Now for the country everyone was expecting to talk about yesterday. The better-known of the Dominicas, the Dominican Republic has a population of almost eleven million people and shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.

The Dominican Republic is what everyone pictures when they think about the Caribbean. Calm turquoise waters, endless white sandy beaches fringed palm trees. Don’t forget the beachside bar serving rum-cocktails accessorised with one of those mini paper umbrellas.

The Dominican Republic was actually the first permanent European settlement in the Americas. The colony of Santo Domingo was established in 1492 by the Spanish. 

If we’re looking for more pub-quiz-worthy superlatives, the Dominican Republic is the largest economy in the Caribbean (and Central America) and is home to the largest gold mine in the Americas. The DR also is home to the highest (Pico Duarte) and lowest (Lago Enriquillo) points in the Caribbean. As soon as lockdown ends and the pubs to re-open. I’m going home with the cash prize at The Globe’s next Tuesday nighter.

If you do decide to visit the Caribbean’s most visited tourist destination, you’ll almost certainly hear the Dominican Republic’s best-known export: Merengue music. You’ll most likely also want to try a little Merengue dancing too. Me though, I’ll be at the bar sipping a flavourless, ice-cold Presidente.