As the plane skids to a stop on the tarmac of Punta Cana InternaItional Airport, the first impression of the Dominican Republic is of open-air breezeways and thatched roofs. According to Kelly Robinson, environmental affairs specialist for the Punta Cana Resort and Club, "The airport was designed not only to welcome visitors, but also to be environmentally responsible, using native design and materials." Palm trees sway in the courtyard as tropical birds dart through the rafters. A few hours later, the sun is setting as gentle aquamarine surf laps a few feet from the reclining beach chairs. As a small Caribbean nation not far from the coast of the United States, the Dominican Republic (which shares its landmass with Haiti) has historically been a popular get-away. Today, its beauty is challenged by rapid development.
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