Dominican Republic , Caribbean

Welcome to Santiago de los Caballeros!

Santiago de los Caballeros is located at the heart of the Cibao Valley in the Northern part of the island and provincial capital; home for 500,000 Dominicans it is often called the second capital of the Dominican Republic, too. This charming city offers a variety of conveniences generally present in big cities, while preserving a small town atmosphere. Some modern lodging, dining and shopping alternatives, including a typical marketplace can be found in this city, whose symbolic monument is the “Monumento a los Heroes”.

Subsistence crops, sugarcane, tobacco, rice, coffee, and cacao are some of the many products grown in the fertile soil of this beautiful region. This city is graced by the meandering Yaque del Norte River and is home to the popular Dominican Baseball team, Las Aguilas Cibaeñas. Santiago's history goes back to the late 15th Century, and it has always played a major role in the economic and social development of the Dominican Republic. Santiago is the commercial center and distribution point for the most densely populated part of the country being a rail and road junction in the center of this fertile region. The city was founded in 1504 and in 1844 it was the site of a decisive battle in the Dominican Republic's war of independence.

The province consists in 40 municipalities and 337 localities. The geographical coordinates of the city of Santiago are: 19 degrees, 28 minutes, 20 seconds North latitude; 70 degrees, 41 minutes, 15 seconds West longitude. The average altitude above sea level of the city of Santiago is 178 meters. To the north of the city is Pico Diego de Ocampo, a 1249-meter high mountain that is partially protected by the Ecological Society of the Cibao, based in Santiago.

The hottest months are found in the summer, culminating in August, with average temperatures of 34 degrees Celsius. The fall and winter are cooler with an average temperature of 25.8 degrees Celsius in December and January (low average temperature of 23.6 degrees Celsius, high average temperature of 28.1 degrees).

HIGHLIGHTS OF SANTIAGO HISTORY

1495= A fortress with the name of Santiago (Saint James) was erected by Columbus on the banks of the Rio Yaque del Norte, close to the present city of Santiago.

1504= The city of Santiago was moved and re-founded by Nicolas de Ovando further to the north in the present locality of Jacagua. It is thought that the addition of men (caballeros) from the declining city of La Isabella to the new city of Santiago, provided the name "Santiago de los Caballeros".

1508= Spanish monarch Ferdinand the Catholic issues coat of arms for the city of Santiago: 5 white scallops on a red background, surrounded by seven scallops on a white border. The scallops are associated with the Spanish beaches of Gallicia, and symbolize Saint James.

1562= A strong earthquake destroys Santiago, along with other Spanish colonial towns including Concepcion de La Vega. The town is re-established on the banks of the Rio Yaque where it is located today.

1660= Santiago is sacked and burned by French pirate Fernand de la Fleur.