In 1492, when Columbus spotted the coral-rimmed island he later named Hispaniola, he proclaimed, "This is the fairest land under Heaven." I have to agree. Home to the highest mountain range in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic-which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti-offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Columbus's journal is full of descriptions of this beautiful island paradise. But Columbus wasn't looking for verdant valleys or turquoise waters and palm-lined beaches. He was on a mission to find gold.