La Vega, Dominican Republic

Last updated
La Vega
Municipality
Conception of La Vega Real
La Vega Dominican Republic 2.jpg
La Vega Dominican Republic.jpg
Santo Sero 1029.jpg
La Vega Dominican Republic 3.jpg
Fort Concepcion de la Vega RD 12 2019 0824.jpg
SANTUARIO DEL SANTO CERRO. IMG 0032.JPG
View of La Vega city, Dominican Republic
Escudo del Municipio Concepcion de La Vega.svg
Coat of arms
Dominican Republic location map.svg
Red pog.svg
La Vega
Coordinates: 19°13′12″N70°31′48″W / 19.22000°N 70.53000°W / 19.22000; -70.53000
CountryFlag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic
Province La Vega
Municipal Districts 3
Founded1494
Municipality since
1844
Area
[1]
 • Total
410.9 km2 (158.6 sq mi)
 • Urban
[2]
30.71 km2 (11.86 sq mi)
Elevation
[3]
100 m (300 ft)
Population
 (2014) [1]
 • Total
202,864
 • Density490/km2 (1,300/sq mi)
 •  Urban
104,536
Demonyms Vegano (female, vegana)
Time zone UTC-4 (AST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (AST)
Distance36 km (22 mi) to Santiago
125 km (78 mi) to Santo Domingo

La Vega, is the fourth largest city and municipality of the Dominican Republic. It is in La Vega Province. The city is known as the Carnaval epicenter of the Dominican Republic for its tradition and culture, its large agricultural production methods throughout its province. [4]

Contents

History

La Vega, a city in the central Dominican Republic, was founded in 1495 by Batholomew Columbus at the foot of a fortress built by Christopher Columbus in 1494, which intended to guard the route to the interior gold deposits of the Cibao valley. A Spanish settlement called Concepción de la Vega gradually grew around the fort. [5] After 1508, when gold was found in quantity there, Concepción became the first gold boomtown in the island. It already had a cathedral, two convents, a hospital, and several administration buildings. The first coin was minted in La Vega, and the first merchants settled. [6]

By 1510 it was one of the largest and most important European cities in the hemisphere. The city was destroyed and buried by an earthquake on December 2, 1562, and the survivors moved to the present site on the banks of the Camú River. The second foundation of the city corresponds to its current location and it is believed that it took place between the years 1562 and 1563. [7] In the days of National Independence, the city of La Vega joined the cause of freedom with soldiers. On March 4, 1844, La Vega formalized its declaration in support of the War of Independence, and that same day it became the first town in the country to raise the national flag. [8]

Colonial architecture in LA Vega Dominican Republic downtown streets. La Vega Dominican Republic downtown streets.jpg
Colonial architecture in LA Vega Dominican Republic downtown streets.
Colonial architecture in La Vega Dominican Republic downtown streets. La Vega Dominican Republic downtown architecture.jpg
Colonial architecture in La Vega Dominican Republic downtown streets.

Commerce, agriculture, and industry gained new momentum in the late 1800s and early 1900s. An event that strengthened the area's economic development was the inauguration of the railway between the port of Sánchez and the city of La Vega. The transport by this means of fruits and merchandise led to new living conditions, with settlers arriving from Santo Domingo, Santiago, Moca, and other places. The La Vega region today yields cacao, coffee, tobacco, rice, fruits, and cattle. The first theater in the country was also built in La Vega. In 1915, the city received the name of a cultured city due to its art and culture. In the place of the ruins of the first city, there is an archaeological park and a museum, the Pueblo Viejo National Park. Over the years, a town called Pueblo Viejo emerged in honor of being the first place where the city existed. [9] [10]

Geography

La Vega is bounded on the north by the Camú River. This river flows about 100 kilometers before emptying into Yuna River. South of the city is the Cordillera Central, the largest mountain system of the Dominican Republic. El Ponton Field, a local airport, bounds the city on the east. To La Vega's west are the Camú River again and Montellano.[ citation needed ]

Climate

La Vega has a tropical rainforest climate (Köppen: Af)

Climate data for La Vega, Dominican Republic (1961-1990)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)36.2
(97.2)		36.2
(97.2)		37.2
(99.0)		37.3
(99.1)		38.0
(100.4)		38.0
(100.4)		37.5
(99.5)		38.5
(101.3)		38.4
(101.1)		38.6
(101.5)		37.2
(99.0)		35.0
(95.0)		38.6
(101.5)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)29.7
(85.5)		30.1
(86.2)		31.2
(88.2)		31.9
(89.4)		32.5
(90.5)		33.4
(92.1)		33.5
(92.3)		33.9
(93.0)		33.9
(93.0)		33.0
(91.4)		31.1
(88.0)		29.5
(85.1)		32.0
(89.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)18.4
(65.1)		18.6
(65.5)		19.2
(66.6)		20.2
(68.4)		21.1
(70.0)		21.8
(71.2)		22.0
(71.6)		22.2
(72.0)		21.9
(71.4)		21.4
(70.5)		20.5
(68.9)		19.0
(66.2)		20.5
(68.9)
Record low °C (°F)11.0
(51.8)		14.0
(57.2)		12.5
(54.5)		14.0
(57.2)		17.0
(62.6)		17.0
(62.6)		16.0
(60.8)		15.0
(59.0)		16.0
(60.8)		17.2
(63.0)		16.2
(61.2)		14.0
(57.2)		11.0
(51.8)
Average rainfall mm (inches)84.7
(3.33)		76.6
(3.02)		87.0
(3.43)		148.1
(5.83)		178.1
(7.01)		84.6
(3.33)		102.1
(4.02)		119.0
(4.69)		117.1
(4.61)		145.1
(5.71)		139.1
(5.48)		120.1
(4.73)		1,401.6
(55.18)
Average rainy days (≥ 1.0 mm)9.47.18.29.912.08.110.610.28.910.712.211.4118.7
Average relative humidity (%)73.672.569.671.574.371.571.370.770.674.777.677.172.9
Mean monthly sunshine hours 186.7185.8213.9201.5206.5228.7246.2250.7210.7207.2174.5156.32,468.7
Source: NOAA [11]

Sectors

Centro Ciudad sector Centro ciudad.JPG
Centro Ciudad sector
  • Arenoso (surrounding areas)
  • Brache Batista
  • Barrio Guarionex
  • Barrio Loteria
  • Barrio Militar
  • Barrio X
  • Bayacanes (surrounding areas)
  • Carmelitas
  • Camboya
  • Centro Ciudad (Margarita)
  • Conani
  • Cutupú (surrounding areas)
  • Don Bosco
  • Don Pedro
  • El Bolsillo
  • El Paraiso
  • El Campito
  • El Cerro (surrounding areas)
  • El Ensueño
  • El Napoles
  • El Riito
  • Ensanche Duarte
  • Gamundi
  • Guaigui (surrounding areas)
  • La Arboleda
  • La Boca Del Lobo
  • Las Carolinas
  • La Enramada
  • La Cigua
  • La Planta
  • La Riviera
  • Las Marias
  • Licey (surrounding areas)
  • Los Pomos
  • Los Robles
  • Los Multi-Familiares (Viejos y Nuevos)
  • Palmarito
  • Parque Hostos
  • Ponton
  • Puerto Rico
  • Rancho Abajo (surrounding areas)
  • Residencial Chimbin
  • Residencial Coral
  • Río Verde Abajo (surrounding areas)
  • Río Verde Arriba (surrounding areas)
  • San Antonio
  • San Martin
  • San Miguel
  • Santo Domingo Sabio
  • Soto (surrounding areas)
  • Villa Carolinas
  • Villa Olga
  • Villa Francisca
  • Villa Francisca II
  • Villa Margarita
  • Villa Mera
  • Villa Real
  • Villa Hollywood
  • Villa Lora
  • Villa Rosa
  • Zafaraya

Government

PersonOccupationPolitical Party
Kelvin Cruz Mayor PRM
Amparo Custodio Vice Mayor PRM
Lourdes Margarita Alvarado Governor PLD
Rogelio Genao Senator PRSC
TBD Deputy TBD
TBD Deputy TBD
TBD Deputy TBD
Agustin Burgos Deputy PRM
Fausto Ruiz Valdez Deputy PRM
TBD Deputy TBD

Economy

Carnival of La Vega, Dominican Republic. Dominican Republic Carnival La Vega.jpg
Carnival of La Vega, Dominican Republic.

The local industries are based upon cacao, coffee, tobacco, rice, and cattle production. There is also a small but very famous brewery called Cervecería Vegana known for its pilsener-style beers, named Quisqueya and Soberana. There is a factory known for making the famous sausage Induveca.

Religion

The shrine of Our Lady of Mercy called Santo Cerro is located in the place where Virgin Mary appeared to Christopher Columbus during a battle.

Education

There is an extension of the Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña and there is the Universidad Católica Tecnológica del Cibao. Since 2005 the national and local governments are planning to build an extension of the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, but there are some conflicts and the project is behind schedule. This city also has one of the most expensive schools in the country, the famous Colegio Agustiniano, which is the only in the country.

Private, public, and high schools

Eugenio Maria de Hostos School CHMDH.JPG
Eugenio María de Hostos School
Private Schools & High schoolsPublic Schools & High Schools
Colegio AgustinianoArenoso School
Cardenal SanchaDon Pepe Alvarez High School
La Vega Christian SchoolDel Carmen School
Don Luis DespradelGarcia Godoy
Eugenio Maria De HostosPolitécnico Femenino Mercedes Morel
Immacualada ConcepciónMitila Grullón
Nuveluz Elementary Private SchoolLaura Vicuña
Padre Fantino Bilingual SchoolPadre Lamarche
Santo Tomás De AquinoSan Miguel Elementary School
U.N.P.H.U.San Antonio Public school
Vega NuevaSan Martín De Porres

The Book Fair

Annually, the famous Feria del Libro de República Dominicana (Dominican Republic Book Fair) takes place in the city of La Vega. In this fair most of the famous books and literary works from Dominicans writers such as Juan Bosch, Joaquín Balaguer, w:es:Federico García Godoy, among others, and international writers such as Gabriela Mistral, Rubén Darío, Gabriel García Márquez, among others, are sold, and some theatrical works are shown to the public. The fair is celebrated each year in the month of September, lasting about one week, and brings to this city all the editors from all around the country, selling many kinds of books, theatrical works, etc.

Transportation

There are many bus companies which travel between La Vega other cities like: Santo Domingo, Santiago, Samana, Puerto Plata, and others. There is also El Ponton Field, which serves domestics flights.

Sports

Each year between the months of October and December a basketball tournament is held in this city, it is called in Spanish Torneo Superior de Baloncesto de La Vega in English Superior Basketball Tournament of La Vega, This tournament started in October 1994 (after a time of political and cultural crisis between the years 1978 and October 1994). One team is still active, the other ("El Country Team") disappearing.

a match being held between La Matica and Enrriquillo Fernando teruel stadium.jpg
a match being held between La Matica and Enrriquillo
1994 - 2002Club DOSAClub EnriquilloClub La MaticaClub Parque HostosClub Villa
1994did not competedisqualifiedChampiondisqualifiedrunner up
1995did not competedisqualifieddisqualifiedChampionrunner up
1996did not competecanceledcanceleddisqualifieddisqualified
1997did not competedisqualifieddisqualifiedrunner upChampion
1998Championdisqualifiedrunner updisqualifieddisqualified
1999disqualifieddisqualifiedChampiondisqualifiedRunner up
2000disqualifieddisqualifiedChampiondisqualifiedRunner up
2001Runner updisqualifieddisqualifiedChampiondisqualified
2002disqualifieddisqualifiedRunner upChampiondisqualified
2003 - 2012Angelitos del DOSAGuerreros del EnriquilloPotros de La MaticaTigres del Parque HostosVillanos de La Villa
2003disqualifiedChampiondisqualifiedRunner updisqualified
2004disqualifieddisqualifiedRunner upChampiondisqualified
2005disqualifieddisqualifiedRunner upChampiondisqualified
2006disqualifieddisqualifiedRunner upChampiondisqualified
2007disqualifieddisqualifiedRunner upChampiondisqualified
2008ChampiondisqualifieddisqualifiedRunner updisqualified
2009Runner updisqualifieddisqualifiedChampiondisqualified
2010Runner updisqualifiedChampiondisqualifieddisqualified
2011disqualifieddisqualifiedChampiondisqualifiedRunner up
2012ChampionRunner updisqualifieddisqualifieddisqualified
2013 & 2014Angelitos del DOSARebeldes del EnriquilloPotros de La MaticaTigres del Parque HostosVillanos de La Villa
2013Runner updisqualifieddisqualifiedChampiondisqualified
2014ChampiondisqualifieddisqualifiedRunner updisqualified
2015–presentAngelitos del DOSARebeldes del EnriquilloPotros de La MaticaTigres del Parque HostosFieras de La Villa
2015disqualifieddisqualifieddisqualifiedRunner upChampion
2016disqualifiedChampiondisqualifieddisqualifiedRunner up
2017ChampionRunner updisqualifieddisqualifieddisqualified
2018disqualifieddisqualifieddisqualifiedChampionRunner up
2019Runner upChampiondisqualifieddisqualifieddisqualified
2020Due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, no competition was held in 2020
2021disqualifieddisqualifiedChampionRunner updisqualified
2022disqualifiedRunner updisqualifiedChampiondisqualified
2023Runner updisqualifiedChampiondisqualifieddisqualified

Notable people

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References

  1. 1 2 Consejo Nacional de Población y Familia. "Estamaciones y Proyecciones de la Población Dominicana por Regiones, Provincias, Municipios y Distritos Municipales, 2014" (PDF) (in Spanish). Retrieved 2014-02-02.
  2. ↑ "Expansión Urbana de las ciudades capitales de R.D. 1988-2010. Informe Básico" (PDF) (in Spanish). Oficina Nacional de Estadística. April 2015. p. 48. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  3. ↑ De la Fuente, Santiago (1976). Geografía Dominicana (in Spanish). Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Editora Colegial Quisqueyana.
  4. ↑ "Publicaciones/Division-Territorial-2015.pdf" (PDF).
  5. ↑ Floyd, Troy (1973). The Columbus Dynasty in the Caribbean, 1492-1526. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press. pp. 30, 57–58, 66.
  6. ↑ Diario, Listin (2009-11-13). "La Vega, su gran historia y cultura". listindiario.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-05-03.
  7. ↑ "Pueblo Viejo La Historia como Ocurrio".
  8. ↑ "Día de la Bandera Dominicana". Comisión Presidencial de Apoyo al Desarrollo Provincial (in Spanish). 2019-02-27. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  9. ↑ "Parque Nacional Histórico y Arqueológico de Pueblo Viejo, La Vega". www.nuestropatrimonio.gob.do. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  10. ↑ "Zonas Agricolas de la Republica Dominicana". www.geografiabasicarepublicadominicana.edu.do. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  11. ↑ "La Vega Climate Normals 1961-1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
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