La Vega | |
---|---|
Municipality | |
Conception of La Vega Real | |
Coordinates: 19°13′12″N70°31′48″W / 19.22000°N 70.53000°W | |
Country | Dominican Republic |
Province | La Vega |
Municipal Districts | 3 |
Founded | 1494 |
Municipality since | 1844 |
Area | |
• Total | 410.9 km2 (158.6 sq mi) |
• Urban | 30.71 km2 (11.86 sq mi) |
Elevation | 100 m (300 ft) |
Population (2014) [1] | |
• Total | 202,864 |
• Density | 490/km2 (1,300/sq mi) |
• Urban | 104,536 |
Demonyms | Vegano (female, vegana) |
Time zone | UTC-4 (AST) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (AST) |
Distance | 36 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]
Christopher Columbus built a military fort near present-day La Vega, in 1494, intended to guard the route to the interior gold deposits of the Cibao valley. A Spanish settlement known as Concepción de la Vega gradually grew up 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. In La Vega the first coin was minted and the first merchants settled.[ citation needed ]
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. [6] 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.[ citation needed ]
Commerce, agriculture and industry gained new momentum in the late 1800s and early 1900s. An event that strengthened the economic development of the area 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 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 has emerged, in honor of the first place where the city existed.[ citation needed ]
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 ]
La Vega has a tropical rainforest climate (Köppen: Af)
Climate data for La Vega, Dominican Republic (1961-1990) | |||||||||||||
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Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
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) | 9.4 | 7.1 | 8.2 | 9.9 | 12.0 | 8.1 | 10.6 | 10.2 | 8.9 | 10.7 | 12.2 | 11.4 | 118.7 |
Average relative humidity (%) | 73.6 | 72.5 | 69.6 | 71.5 | 74.3 | 71.5 | 71.3 | 70.7 | 70.6 | 74.7 | 77.6 | 77.1 | 72.9 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 186.7 | 185.8 | 213.9 | 201.5 | 206.5 | 228.7 | 246.2 | 250.7 | 210.7 | 207.2 | 174.5 | 156.3 | 2,468.7 |
Source: NOAA [7] |
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|
Person | Occupation | Political 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 |
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.
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.
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 Schools & High schools | Public Schools & High Schools |
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Colegio Agustiniano | Arenoso School |
Cardenal Sancha | Don Pepe Alvarez High School |
La Vega Christian School | Del Carmen School |
Don Luis Despradel | Garcia Godoy |
Eugenio Maria De Hostos | Politécnico Femenino Mercedes Morel |
Immacualada Concepción | Mitila Grullón |
Nuveluz Elementary Private School | Laura Vicuña |
Padre Fantino Bilingual School | Padre Lamarche |
Santo Tomás De Aquino | San Miguel Elementary School |
U.N.P.H.U. | San Antonio Public school |
Vega Nueva | San Martín De Porres |
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.
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.
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.
1994 - 2002 | Club DOSA | Club Enriquillo | Club La Matica | Club Parque Hostos | Club Villa |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1994 | did not compete | disqualified | Champion | disqualified | runner up |
1995 | did not compete | disqualified | disqualified | Champion | runner up |
1996 | did not compete | canceled | canceled | disqualified | disqualified |
1997 | did not compete | disqualified | disqualified | runner up | Champion |
1998 | Champion | disqualified | runner up | disqualified | disqualified |
1999 | disqualified | disqualified | Champion | disqualified | Runner up |
2000 | disqualified | disqualified | Champion | disqualified | Runner up |
2001 | Runner up | disqualified | disqualified | Champion | disqualified |
2002 | disqualified | disqualified | Runner up | Champion | disqualified |
2003 - 2012 | Angelitos del DOSA | Guerreros del Enriquillo | Potros de La Matica | Tigres del Parque Hostos | Villanos de La Villa |
2003 | disqualified | Champion | disqualified | Runner up | disqualified |
2004 | disqualified | disqualified | Runner up | Champion | disqualified |
2005 | disqualified | disqualified | Runner up | Champion | disqualified |
2006 | disqualified | disqualified | Runner up | Champion | disqualified |
2007 | disqualified | disqualified | Runner up | Champion | disqualified |
2008 | Champion | disqualified | disqualified | Runner up | disqualified |
2009 | Runner up | disqualified | disqualified | Champion | disqualified |
2010 | Runner up | disqualified | Champion | disqualified | disqualified |
2011 | disqualified | disqualified | Champion | disqualified | Runner up |
2012 | Champion | Runner up | disqualified | disqualified | disqualified |
2013 & 2014 | Angelitos del DOSA | Rebeldes del Enriquillo | Potros de La Matica | Tigres del Parque Hostos | Villanos de La Villa |
2013 | Runner up | disqualified | disqualified | Champion | disqualified |
2014 | Champion | disqualified | disqualified | Runner up | disqualified |
2015–present | Angelitos del DOSA | Rebeldes del Enriquillo | Potros de La Matica | Tigres del Parque Hostos | Fieras de La Villa |
2015 | disqualified | disqualified | disqualified | Runner up | Champion |
2016 | disqualified | Champion | disqualified | disqualified | Runner up |
2017 | Champion | Runner up | disqualified | disqualified | disqualified |
2018 | disqualified | disqualified | disqualified | Champion | Runner up |
2019 | Runner up | Champion | disqualified | disqualified | disqualified |
2020 | Due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, no competition was held in 2020 | ||||
2021 | disqualified | disqualified | Champion | Runner up | disqualified |
2022 | disqualified | Runner up | disqualified | Champion | disqualified |
2023 | Runner up | disqualified | Champion | disqualified | disqualified |
La Vega is a province of the Dominican Republic. Until 1992 it included what is now Monseñor Nouel province.
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Santiago de los Caballeros, often shortened to Santiago, is the second-largest city in the Dominican Republic and the fourth-largest city in the Caribbean by population. It is the capital of Santiago Province and the largest major metropolis in the Cibao region of the country. Santiago is the largest Caribbean city that is not a capital city, and it is also the largest non-coastal metropolis in the Caribbean islands. The city has a total population of 771,748 inhabitants (2022). Santiago is located approximately 155 km (96 mi) northwest of the capital Santo Domingo with an average altitude of 178 m (584 ft).
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There are various highways and routes in the Dominican Republic. They are built and maintained by the Ministry of Public Works and Communication or MOPC. Overall the system is centered around Greater Santo Domingo, where the country's capital is located.
Señorita República Dominicana 1979 was held on December 20, 1978. There were 28 candidates who competed for the national crown. The winner represented the Dominican Republic at the Miss Universe 1979. The Señorita República Dominicana Mundo entered Miss World 1979.
The Miss Mundo Dominicana 2007 pageant was held on July 14, 2007. Only 24 candidates competed for the national crown. The chosen winner represented the Dominican Republic at the Miss World 2007. They selected 2 delegates would be elected from each regions. Then they chose a delegate from each region and would get sashed with the name of the region and automatically would be in the Final 6. The first runner up represented the Dominican Republic in Miss América Latina 2008.
Señorita República Dominicana 1956 was held on January 29, 1956. There were 24 candidates who competed for the national crown. The winner represented the Dominican Republic at the Miss Universe 1956. On the top 10 they showed their evening gown so they could go to the top 5. In the top 5 they would answer more questions. This edition would send their first delegate to Miss Universe.
The Miss Mundo Dominicana 2008 pageant was held on July 27, 2008. This year only 16 candidates were competing for the national crown. The chosen winner will represent the Dominican Republic at the Miss World 2008. The first runner up will represent the Dominican Republic in Miss America Latina 2009. Its national director, Belkys Reyes is a "Miss trainer" who has prepared models like Amelia Vega.
Señorita República Dominicana 1962 was held on January 29, 1962, when 26 candidates competed for the national crown. The winner represented the Dominican Republic at the Miss Universe 1962. The first runner up would enter Miss International 1962. Only the 25 provinces and 1 municipality entered. The top ten contestants wore evening gowns and answered questions to get through to the top 5, where they answered more questions.
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The Archaeological and Historical National Park of Pueblo Viejo, La Vega, in the La Vega Province of the Dominican Republic, includes the old city of Concepción de la Vega, and the Pueblo Viejo gold mine. This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on November 21, 2001 in the Cultural category.
The Miss Mundo Dominicana 2006 pageant was held on July 10, 2006. Only 16 candidates competed for the national crown. The chosen winner represented the Dominican Republic at the Miss World 2006. The runners-up could enter different small international pageants.
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Carlina Durán Baldera is a Dominican model who won the national crown of Miss Dominican Republic 2012, initially giving her the right to compete in Miss Universe 2012 representing her country in December 2012. After representing her home province of La Vega in the 2012 Miss Dominican Republic, Carola was crowned by Miss Dominican Republic 2011 Dalia Fernandez. She later got dethroned for admitting she had been married in 2009.
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Miss Mundo Dominicana 2011 was held September 20, 2011, in Renaissance Auditorio de Festival del Hotel Jaragua, Santo Domingo. The Miss Mundo Dominicana winner represented the Dominican Republic in Miss World 2011, the Miss RD Internacional entered Miss International 2011, Miss Supranational RD entered Miss Supranational 2012, and the Miss Tourism Queen RD entered Miss Tourism Queen International 2011. The first runner up entered the Reinado Internacional del Café 2012. The winner was crowned by Sofinel Báez, Miss International Dominicana 2010.
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