Salvaleón de Higüey

History

In the year 1505, the settler Juan of Esquivel conquered the easternmost chiefdom of the island and founded a fortress which became in 1506 by order of Nicolas of Ovando in a villa, calling it Salvaleón de Higüey.

In 1508 are you granted to this villa the coat of arms. During the Spanish colonial period, Higüey remained like parish of the party of el Seibo.

When independence was proclaimed in the 1844, the Central Governing Board appointed it common in the Department of el Seibo. For decades Higuey belonged to this province, being part important in those events more relevant that have marked to the country.

With the creation of the province of La Altagracia, Higuey is located as header the same municipality, Turning is in capital of the province.

Space geographic

With a surface of 1.704,59 km², Salvaleón of Higüey is the city more extensive of the province the Altagracia. Bordered on the North by the Atlantic Ocean, to the South with the municipality of San Rafael del Yuma, to the this with Bavarian and Punta Cana and to the West with the provinces of the Seibo and the Roman

Population

Is the city more populated of the province the Altagracia, with 147,978 inhabitants.

Climate

The city enjoys a tropical climate, Welcome to all seasons of the year.

Economy

Higuey has with an economy settled basically in the agriculture, being its main products of growing the cane, coffee, tobacco, cocoa, rice and corn, cattle and pigs are also part of it. Fishing and tourism are developed in the coastal area of ​​the city.

In the interior of the city also is very profitable the tourism since in Salvaleón of Higuey is located the Basilica our Lady of the Altagracia, which is frequented by thousands of tourists a year.

Tourism

Higuey belongs to the province with greater development of tourism in the country. In spite of this city do not enjoy of a zone coastal, the Basilica of our Lady of La Altagracia is located in Higuey, It is a place of pilgrimage for Dominicans and foreigners who daily visit the sacred Temple. Declared a national monument, This basilica is a large Latin cross-shaped grey sculpture. Your front door is made of bronze and is bathed in gold, In addition it was blessed by Pope Juan Pablo II in Rome. He is considered the patron saint of the Dominican people.

Another place of interest is the sanctuary of San Dionisio de Higuey, which is also visited by thousands of people each year.

Higuey is ranked as one of the cities of greater economic development, business projection and development of tourism in the country.

Gastronomía

Your dish main is the rice white accompanied of meat and beans, which you can find in the homes and in the restaurants of the place. As exclusivity have the fried milk, typical dish of the region.