La Altagracia

History

The Altagracia as province is a destination full of history, tradition and charms natural. When is gave home to the conquest of the island from the Spanish still was inhabited by Taino. The part Eastern would be the last in being colonized. Juan de Esquivel, the military Spanish that in 1503 He directed his conquest, He was assigned by Nicolás de Ovando. Who the Spanish ruled at the time, managing early colonization.

The occupation Spanish in the part Eastern is aggravated due to the resistance of the Taino. The occupants of this cacicazgo adamantly opposed handing their lands. Several incidents of blood occurred which led to the death of indigenous and Spanish. As a consequence, Nicolás de Ovando imposes on the Chief Cotubanama the signing of a peace agreement and they built a small fortress. Being occupied by a small detachment of nine soldiers under the command of the captain Villaman. But the peace is short-lived, Since the taínos returned and armed themselves in war, but this time they were defeated. What finally contributed to their enslavement to forced labor in the plantations. Motivating that their number be reduced notably bringing as a consequence imports into the island of African slaves.

Already for the year 1508, the area Gets a self-government and is granted a Royal privilege that allows you to display a coat of arms. By the Treaty of Basel in 1795, the Spanish colony of Santo Domingo passed to French hands. But the part East remained in hands Spanish, in spite of the Treaty.

Faith and history go hand in hand in a province, natural beauty arises in every corner.

When the Spanish became independent in 1844, the new Central Administrative Board located at Higuey under the administration of the province of El Seibo. Subsequently to the year 1961, create the province of La Altagracia the 11 in August of that year. Your name you was given in honor to the presence of the Basilica of our Lady of the Altagracia in Higüey.

Space geographic

The province of La Altagracia is the easternmost of the country. Located on the East coast of the Republic, specifically in the region of the Yuma. Has an area of 3,004.49 square kilometers, by its extension takes the 2nd place equivalent to the 6.2% of the territory national.

Bordered on the North by the Atlantic Ocean, to the South with the sea Caribbean or of the Antilles, to the East with the Mona channel and to the West with the provinces of El Seibo and La Romana.

The largest river of the province is the Rio Yuma, that makes up the greater influx of the province. The Altagracia form part of the plain coastal of the Caribbean, and it is for this reason that the southern part of the province has a flat relief. But in the northern part are the foothills of the Cordillera Oriental, where stands the old Hill, with 736 meters high, thus forming the highest mountain of the province.

Climate

La Altagracia province enjoys a tropical climate, but varies slightly according to the location geographical of its municipalities. Such is the case of the vicinity of Macao which has a humid climate almost all year, being this very dry elsewhere. The climate is always warm and very pleasant.

Population

A year 2010 The Altagracia has a population of 273,210 people in total, divided by sex in: 143,010 men and 130,200 women.

This is equivalent to a density of 90.9 inhabitants / km2. With a percentage of population urban of the 81.5%, being Salvaleon de Higuey the city more populous, with urban population of 147,978 inhabitants.

Economy

The main economic activity in La Altagracia is currently the tourism. Reason why displaced have the activities of the agriculture and the livestock.

Every corner of this province is a powerful engine, that impels the development economic of the Polo tourist more important of the Caribbean.

Although tourism is the main source of revenue of the province. Continues to be remarkable economic activity based on cattle ranching and farming. Using around 775.000 hectares of the province that are dedicated to the grazing of cattle. That ranks it second in the country, with the largest number of cows. In the activity agricultural is remarkable the production of the cane of sugar and the rice. As well as the production of maize, beans, different foodstuffs like Yucca, banana, Taro, Yam and sweet potato. On the coast of the province develops the economy based on the fishing. Developing is not only as activity economic traditional, If not that also as activity tourism and sports.

Tourism

The Altagracia nowadays is the province with greater development tourism of the country. Is the place number one of the Caribbean preferred by the tourists in the agencies of trips. That when it comes to take their vacations to the Caribbean, they honor this target with their presence. The paradise tourist pole Punta Cana - Bavaro, in which are located numerous complex hotel. So the destination with utmost offer hotel of the country and the best complementary proposal for the full enjoyment of your stay. There is also the international airport of Punta Cana, one of the more important of the country. It which annually receives more than the 52 % international passengers received the country.

Its warm beaches, fun parks theme, excursions of adventure. That along with his tourism ecological, monuments of great notability and shopping centers that host major international brands. Which, together with the local craftsmen, complement the offer, placing the region as one of the tourist destinations more irresistible.

A destination bathed by the waters of the sea Caribbean, that it boasts of its beaches of fine white sand.

The province is also, San Rafael from the Yuma and Boca de Yuma. Where located is The cave of Berne, that counts with a great attractive of art rupestre Taíno. The House Museum of Juan Ponce de Leon, They also performed a fishing tournament each year. The Park national of the this which is very visited by foreigners and Dominicans. The Basilica of our Lady of the Altagracia, where thousands of Dominicans and foreigners carried out each year your pilgrimage. Flocking to venerate the miraculous image of what could be the most ancient Marian shrine of the Americas.

The village of Bayahibe also belongs to the province of La Altagracia. Known by its beautiful beach and its fascinating sunsets facing the shores of the sea Caribbean. Eco routes archaeological our father and the route de la Punta, with a great exhibition of flora and fauna of the region.

Gastronomía

The main dishes of the province the Altagracia is prepared based fish and seafood from of their waters. As it is it the coconut crab, as well as also the new coconut candy, Empanadas, and the famous fried of milk. The cheese, fritters and fried meats are also typical dishes of the place.