Santo Domingo Facts: The Beautiful Capital Of The Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo is the Dominican Republic's capital and largest city.

As per the records of history, the colonial city was founded in 1496 by Christopher Columbus' brother, Bartholomew Columbus, on August 5. The colonial city is known to have the first hospital, first cathedral, and first university.

It was named after Santo Domingo de Guzman, a Catholic saint and the founder of the original city of La Isabela in the area. Santo Domingo's Calle Las Damas is one of the most famous streets in the capital city. Calle Las Damas means 'the street of ladies.' In the '90s, this colonial city was under UNESCO as World Heritage Site. Due to Santo Domingo's architecture, building construction, national botanical garden, and lighthouse museum, this metropolitan area has gained popularity. In the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic's colonial city, Santo Domingo, has the biggest metropolitan area. The Columbus Lighthouse is a museum detailing the life of Christopher Columbus.

History Of Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo, is known to be the capital of the Republic of Dominican, is home to the oldest cathedral in America and one of its finest museums.

It is also an important trading center for coffee and cacao. Founded in 1496, it has a history of more than 500 years. The city was founded by Christopher Columbus' brother, Bartholomew Columbus, on August 5, 1496, and it was first named La Nueva Isabela. The name of the city has been changed from La Nueva Isabela to Santo Domingo by the name of the patron saint of Spain, Santiago, or Saint Dominic.

In June 1502, a tremendous storm hit Santo Domingo, and the new designated Governor, Nicolas de Ovando, ordered it rebuilt on a new site across the Ozama River. Parts of the old city, the colonial zone, including its defensive wall, have been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The independence war was fought between Spain, the United States, and Haiti.

Culture Of Santo Domingo

The culture of Santo Domingo reflects the Dominican Republic's diversity, influenced by Taino (the Indigenous people), Spanish, and African slaves brought to work in the sugar cane fields.

This mix has created a unique blend of traditions that has made Santo Domingo one of Latin America's most colorful capitals. The most popular religion in Santo Domingo is Roman Catholicism. The Catholic church was brought to Santo Domingo by Christopher Columbus during his second voyage in 1493.

With only a few minor breaks, it has remained a diocese to this day. Spanish is the main language spoken in Santo Domingo, but many different languages reflect its multicultural heritage. The Taino Native Americans spoke their native language, which has sadly died out.

In the Dominican Republic, a mix of African dialects was spoken by African slaves. After they finished their tasks in the sugar plantations, they would often hold celebrations where music and dance from Africa would be performed.

Climate Of Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo is a tropical city with temperatures that often vary. In Santo Domingo, the weather is always warm and sunny, which makes it a year-round destination for tourists.

Santo Domingo is a tropical city with temperatures that often vary. Because of tropical trade winds, the temperature in Santo Domingo does not change much annually. These winds help to keep the heat and humidity from being too intense.

Santo Domingo has a tropical rainforest climate due to the trade winds. This means that the driest calendar month is typically 2.4 in (61 mm) or less. Although the city does not suffer from the heat that one might anticipate, it is not as hot as many other cities. The weather is generally milder than anticipated. The coldest season is from December until March.

The warm days are mostly followed by cool nights and temperatures of 62-66 F (17-19 C). The best months to visit Santo Domingo are June through September when the weather is warm and pleasant. Santo Domingo receives 56.9 in (1445 mm) of rain each year on average.

From December until April, the dry months are observed, although it rains due to the trade winds and mountains to the southwest no matter when you visit. Santo Domingo, like many other Caribbean cities, is frequently hit by storms. In September 1998, Hurricane Georges caused significant damage.

Education In Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo is part of the Dominican Republic, where at the elementary level, the education provided is compulsory and free.

In the secondary stage, it is free but not compulsory. The education system of Santo Domingo has four levels; preschool education, primary education, secondary education, and higher education. In the Dominican Republic, literacy rates, along with school participation, have increased in recent years. Women have made fast progress in social class due to their rise in education level. The capital city of the Dominican Republic has the oldest university buildings.

Examinations have been used to study students, teachers, and schools in the capital city. The Dominican Republic's teachers are praised for their professionalism and educational knowledge, but they rank lower than many other Latin American nations in several categories. The quality of the facilities available at a school varies depending on whether it is private, public (non-polytechnic), or polytechnic.

FAQs

Is Santo Domingo a poor country?

Santo Domingo is classified as part of a middle-income country, with approximately 40.4% of the Dominican Republic's population living below the poverty line and 10.4% of its people living in poverty to a great extent.

Is it safe to walk in Santo Domingo?

Although crime is a problem for tourists, walking around the city of Santo Domingo is generally safe.

Is Santo Domingo part of the United States?

No, Santo Domingo is not part of the United States and is the capital city of the Dominican Republic, which is a country found in the Caribbean.

What language do they speak in Santo Domingo?

Spanish is the official language of the Dominican Republic. However, English is widely spoken in Santo Domingo.