<P> There are many small offshore islands and cays that are part of the Dominican territory . The two largest islands near shore are Saona, in the southeast, and Beata, in the southwest . To the north, at distances of 100--200 kilometres (62--124 mi), are three extensive, largely submerged banks, which geographically are a southeast continuation of the Bahamas: Navidad Bank, Silver Bank, and Mouchoir Bank . Navidad Bank and Silver Bank have been officially claimed by the Dominican Republic . </P> <P> The Dominican Republic has four important mountain ranges . The most northerly is the Cordillera Septentrional ("Northern Mountain Range"), which extends from the northwestern coastal town of Monte Cristi, near the Haitian border, to the Samaná Peninsula in the east, running parallel to the Atlantic coast . The highest range in the Dominican Republic--indeed, in the whole of the West Indies--is the Cordillera Central ("Central Mountain Range"). It gradually bends southwards and finishes near the town of Azua, on the Caribbean coast . </P> <P> In the Cordillera Central are the four highest peaks in the Caribbean: Pico Duarte (3,098 metres or 10,164 feet above sea level), La Pelona (3,094 metres or 10,151 feet), La Rucilla (3,049 metres or 10,003 feet), and Pico Yaque (2,760 metres or 9,055 feet). In the southwest corner of the country, south of the Cordillera Central, there are two other ranges . The more northerly of the two is the Sierra de Neiba, while in the south the Sierra de Bahoruco is a continuation of the Massif de la Selle in Haiti . There are other, minor mountain ranges, such as the Cordillera Oriental ("Eastern Mountain Range"), Sierra Martín García, Sierra de Yamasá, and Sierra de Samaná . </P> <P> Between the Central and Northern mountain ranges lies the rich and fertile Cibao valley . This major valley is home to the cities of Santiago and La Vega and most of the farming areas in the nation . Rather less productive are the semi-arid San Juan Valley, south of the Central Cordillera, and the Neiba Valley, tucked between the Sierra de Neiba and the Sierra de Bahoruco . Much of the land in the Enriquillo Basin is below sea level, with a hot, arid, desert - like environment . There are other smaller valleys in the mountains, such as the Constanza, Jarabacoa, Villa Altagracia, and Bonao valleys . </P>

Facts about the population of the dominican republic