The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries. Both by area and population, the Dominican Republic is the second largest Caribbean nation (after Cuba) and an estimated 10 million people. The country's capital and greatest metropolitan area, Santo Domingo, is located on the southern coast. The eastern tip is home to some of the best beaches in the West Indies and it is here where Punta Cana and Bavaro Beach is situated.