Protected Coral Reefs, Reserves, Sanctuaries, National Parks and Monuments Preserve the Island DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, Oct. 1

A humpback whale swims in the Silver Bank whale sanctuary, a breeding zone of humpback whales just north of the Dominican Republic in the North Atlantic Ocean.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, Oct. 1/PRNewswire/ -- Since 1962, theDominican Republic (DR) has led the Caribbean in preserving sensitive inland and coastal eco-systems through partnerships with leaders like the Nature Conservancy, the United Nations, the Smithsonian and more to establish powerful environmental protections. The DR's preserves and sanctuaries, like the Sanctuary for the Marine Mammals of the DR, the first whale sanctuary in the world located along the coast of Samana, are a vital tourism draw to the DR's fabled lush green surroundings. The government's constant dedication to reserving the island's environment make eco- and adventure tourism in the country so remarkable and exciting.