Editing Dominican Republic (section)

===Architecture===
[[File:Church and Convent Regina Angelorum CCSD 07 2018 0762.jpg|thumb|Church and Convent, Colonial Santo Domingo]]
[[File:Downtown Puerto Plata Dominican Republic Architecture.jpg|thumb|Late 19th-century Victorian architecture is prominent in Puerto Plata]]
The architecture in the Dominican Republic represents a complex blend of diverse cultures. The deep influence of the [[Europe]]an colonists is the most evident throughout the country. Characterized by ornate designs and [[baroque architecture|baroque]] structures, the style can best be seen in the capital city of [[Santo Domingo]], which is home to the first cathedral, palace, monastery, and fortress in all of the [[Americas]], located in the city's [[Ciudad Colonial (Santo Domingo)|Colonial Zone]], an area declared as a [[World Heritage Site]] by [[UNESCO]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/526|title=Colonial City of Santo Domingo|publisher=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|access-date=December 26, 2019|archive-date=January 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104142249/http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/526|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unesco.org/nac/geoportal.php?country=DO&language=E|title=Dominican Republic National Commission for UNESCO|work=UNESCO|date=November 14, 1957|access-date=August 24, 2016|archive-date=July 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725103339/http://www.unesco.org/nac/geoportal.php?country=DO&language=E|url-status=live}}</ref> The designs carry over into the villas and buildings throughout the country. It can also be observed on buildings that contain stucco exteriors, arched doors and windows, and red tiled roofs.

The indigenous peoples of the Dominican Republic have also had a significant influence on the architecture of the country. The [[Taíno]] people relied heavily on the mahogany and guano (dried palm tree leaf) to put together crafts, artwork, furniture, and houses. Utilizing mud, thatched roofs, and mahogany trees, they gave buildings and the furniture inside a natural look, blending in with the island's surroundings.

Lately, with the rise in tourism and increasing popularity as a Caribbean vacation destination, architects in the Dominican Republic have now begun to incorporate cutting-edge designs that emphasize luxury. In many ways an architectural playground, villas and hotels implement new styles, while offering new takes on the old. This new style is characterized by simplified, angular corners and large windows that blend outdoor and indoor spaces.