section_path: Geography
section_name: Geography
paragraph_text: Geography
  
  Santo Domingo is located on the southern coast of the island of Hispaniola, along the Caribbean Sea, and is the capital of the Dominican Republic. The city sits at the mouth of the Ozama River, which divides it into eastern and western sections, with the historic Colonial Zone on the west side. Its geography is characterized by a coastal plain with flat to gently rolling terrain, and the surrounding region includes some low limestone hills. The city has a tropical climate, marked by high humidity and warm temperatures year-round, with a rainy season from May to November. Its coastal location and natural harbor have historically made it an important port and commercial hub in the Caribbean.
  
  The Ozama River flows 148 kilometers (92 miles) before emptying into the Caribbean Sea. Santo Domingo's position on its banks was of great importance to the city's economic development and the growth of trade during colonial times. The Ozama River is where the country's busiest port is located.