Hispaniola is famous for marking the first European colonies in the New World, colonies founded by Christopher Columbus on his voyages in 1492 and 1493. Today, the Dominican Republic, situated on the eastern part of Hispaniola, shares the island with Haiti. In Santo Domingo, the first city in the New World, stands the Ciudad Colonial area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the cathedral, fortress, hospital, monastery, university, palace and streets … The Dominican Republic has become the Caribbean’s largest tourist destination, the country boasts almost 800 miles of coastline, featuring some of the most stunning sands in the Caribbean and the country’s year-round golf courses are among the top attractions.