49. Dominican Republic
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- Adventure #15
- Citizenship #47
- Cultural Influence #39
- Entrepreneurship #66
- Heritage #52
- Movers #35
- Open for Business #23
- Power #63
- Quality of Life #48
How It Ranks
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The Dominican Republic is teeming with culture and suave dance moves. It’s the site of Christopher Columbus’ arrival to the Americas and the first European settlement. The capital city, Santo Domingo, is where the first Catholic cathedral, first university and first hospital were established in the Americas. (There really are a lot of “firsts” associated with this Caribbean country.)
The Dominican Republic is also known for producing some of the best baseball players in the world, such as Bartolo Colón and Robinson Canó! When you visit this country, be sure to try merengue, a Latin style of dancing that’s sure to bring out your two left feet. Plus, the country’s waterfalls and ocean activities make it an adventurer’s paradise.
That said, its low scores in entrepreneurship, power and quality of life keep this country from breaking into the top 45.
