La Vega, Dominican Republic facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
La Vega
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Municipality
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| Conception of La Vega Real | ||
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View of La Vega city, Dominican Republic
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 La Vega
Location in the Dominican Republic
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| Country |  Dominican Republic |
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| Province | La Vega | |
| Municipal Districts | 3 | |
| Founded | 1494 | |
| Municipality since | 1844 |
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| Area | ||
| • Total | 410.9 km2 (158.6 sq mi) | |
| • Urban | 30.71 km2 (11.86 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 100 m (300 ft) | |
| Population
(2014)
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| • Total | 202,864 | |
| • Density | 493.71/km2 (1,278.69/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 |
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La Vega is a large city and municipality in the Dominican Republic. It's the fourth biggest city in the country. You can find it in the La Vega Province.
La Vega is famous for its exciting Carnival celebrations. It's also known for its strong farming traditions and culture. Many crops are grown in the area.
Contents
History of La Vega
La Vega was first started in 1495 by Bartholomew Columbus. This was near a fort that his brother, Christopher Columbus, built in 1494. The fort was meant to protect the path to gold mines in the Cibao valley.
A Spanish town called Concepción de la Vega grew around the fort. In 1508, a lot of gold was found there. This made Concepción the first "boomtown" (a town that grows very fast because of a sudden increase in business) on the island. It soon had a cathedral, two convents, a hospital, and government buildings. The first coins were made here, and many merchants settled down.
By 1510, it was one of the most important European cities in the Americas. But on December 2, 1562, a big earthquake destroyed the city. The people who survived moved to where La Vega is today, by the Camú River. The new city was built between 1562 and 1563.
When the Dominican Republic fought for its independence, La Vega joined the fight. On March 4, 1844, La Vega was the first town to officially support the War of Independence. On that same day, it was the first place in the country to raise the national flag.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, trade, farming, and factories grew a lot. A railway was built between the port of Sánchez and La Vega. This helped transport fruits and goods, bringing new people to the city.
Today, La Vega is known for growing cacao, coffee, tobacco, rice, and fruits. It also raises cattle. The first theater in the Dominican Republic was built in La Vega. In 1915, the city was called a "cultured city" because of its art and culture.
Where the first city was destroyed, there is now an archaeological park and a museum. A town called Pueblo Viejo grew up nearby, named after the original city site.
Geography of La Vega
La Vega is bordered by the Camú River to the north. This river flows for about 100 kilometers before joining the Yuna River. South of the city, you'll find the Cordillera Central. This is the largest mountain range in the Dominican Republic.
To the east of the city is El Ponton Field, a local airport. To the west, you'll find the Camú River again and an area called Montellano.
Climate
La Vega has a tropical rainforest climate. This means it's usually hot and rainy all year round.
| Climate data for La Vega, Dominican Republic (1961-1990) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |||||||||||||
Neighborhoods
La Vega has many different neighborhoods, or "sectors." Some of them include:
- Arenoso (and nearby areas)
- Brache Batista
- Barrio Guarionex
- Barrio Loteria
- Barrio Militar
- Barrio X
- Bayacanes (and nearby areas)
- Carmelitas
- Camboya
- Centro Ciudad (Margarita)
- Conani
- Cutupú (and nearby areas)
- Don Bosco
- Don Pedro
- El Bolsillo
- El Paraiso
- El Campito
- El Cerro (and nearby areas)
- El Ensueño
- El Napoles
- El Riito
- Ensanche Duarte
- Gamundi
- Guaigui (and nearby areas)
- La Arboleda
- La Boca Del Lobo
- Las Carolinas
- La Enramada
- La Cigua
- La Planta
- La Riviera
- Las Marias
- Licey (and nearby areas)
- Los Pomos
- Los Robles
- Los Multi-Familiares (Old and New)
- Palmarito
- Parque Hostos
- Ponton
- Puerto Rico
- Rancho Abajo (and nearby areas)
- Residencial Chimbin
- Residencial Coral
- Río Verde Abajo (and nearby areas)
- Río Verde Arriba (and nearby areas)
- San Antonio
- San Martin
- San Miguel
- Santo Domingo Sabio
- Soto (and nearby areas)
- Villa Carolinas
- Villa Olga
- Villa Francisca
- Villa Francisca II
- Villa Margarita
- Villa Mera
- Villa Real
- Villa Hollywood
- Villa Lora
- Villa Rosa
- Zafaraya
Economy
The economy of La Vega is mostly based on farming. They produce cacao, coffee, tobacco, rice, and cattle.
There's also a small but well-known brewery called Cervecería Vegana. They make pilsener-style beers named Quisqueya and Soberana. A factory in La Vega also makes the famous Induveca sausage.
Religion
The Santo Cerro is a special religious place in La Vega. It's a shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy. People believe that the Virgin Mary appeared here to Christopher Columbus during a battle.
Education
La Vega has several universities. These include an extension of the Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña and the Universidad Católica Tecnológica del Cibao. The government has also been planning to build an extension of the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo.
One of the most expensive schools in the country, Colegio Agustiniano, is located here.
Schools in La Vega
La Vega has many schools, both private and public:
| Private Schools & High schools | Public Schools & High Schools |
|---|---|
| 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 |
The Book Fair
Every year, La Vega hosts the famous Feria del Libro de República Dominicana (Dominican Republic Book Fair). At this fair, you can find many books and literary works. These include books by famous Dominican writers like Juan Bosch and Joaquín Balaguer. You can also find books by international writers like Gabriela Mistral and Gabriel García Márquez.
The fair also features theatrical works. It happens every September and lasts about a week. Publishers from all over the country come to sell many kinds of books and show plays.
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Concepción de La Vega section
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Hermanas Mirabal section
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Monte Cristi section
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Santiago section
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Puerto Plata section
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Mao section
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San Francisco de Macorís section
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Nagua section
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Dajabón section
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Samaná section
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Santiago Rodriguez section
Transportation
La Vega has many bus companies that connect it to other cities. You can travel to places like Santo Domingo, Santiago, Samaná, and Puerto Plata. The city also has El Ponton Field, which handles flights within the country.
Sports
Every year, from October to December, La Vega holds a basketball tournament. It's called the "Superior Basketball Tournament of La Vega." This tournament started in October 1994.
| 1994 - 2002 | Club DOSA | Club Enriquillo | Club La Matica | Club Parque Hostos | Club Villa |
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| 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 |
- El Parque Hostos is the team with the most wins, having won ten championships (1995, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2013, 2018). They were also runners-up six times.
- La Matica is the second most successful team with six championships (1994, 1999, 2000, 2010, 2011, 2021). They were runners-up six times.
- DOSA has won five championships (1998, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2017) and been runners-up five times.
- Enriquillo has won three championships (2003, 2016, 2019) and been runners-up twice.
- La Villa has won two championships (1997, 2015) and been runners-up five times.
- In 2012, for the first time, neither Club La Matica nor Club Parque Hostos made it to the final.
Famous People from La Vega
Many notable people come from La Vega, including:
- Juan Bosch: A famous writer and former President of the Dominican Republic.
- Rhina Espaillat: A poet who writes in both Spanish and English.
- Zoilo H. Garcia: A skilled aviator (pilot).
- Luis Alberti: A talented musician.
- Juan Carlos Payano: A professional boxer.
- Victoriano Sosa: Another professional boxer.
- Antonio Guzmán Fernández: A former President of the Dominican Republic.
- Larimar Fiallo: Crowned Miss Dominican Republic in 2004.
- Cirilo J Guzmán: A respected lawyer.
- Francisco Moncion: A ballet dancer and choreographer. He was a founding member of the New York City Ballet.
- Carlos de la Mota: An actor known for his roles in Televisa shows.
- Vielka Valenzuela: Crowned Miss Dominican Republic in 1994.
- Carola Durán: Crowned Miss Dominican Republic in 2012.
- Jonathan Villar: A professional baseball player who has played for teams like the New York Mets.
Images for kids
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The Catedral of La Vega
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Plaza Duarte
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A typical neighborhood
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A commercial center in La Vega
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An electrical center in La Vega
| Provincial capitals of the Dominican Republic |  |
|---|---|
| Azua • Baní • Barahona • Bonao • Comendador • Cotuí • Dajabón • El Seibo • Hato Mayor • Higüey • Jimaní • La Romana • La Vega • Mao • Moca • Monte Cristi • Monte Plata • Nagua • Neiba • Pedernales • Puerto Plata • Sabaneta • Salcedo • Samaná • San Cristóbal • San Francisco de Macorís • San José de Ocoa • San Juan de la Maguana • San Pedro de Macorís • Santiago de los Caballeros • Santo Domingo • Santo Domingo Este | |
See also
In Spanish: La Vega (República Dominicana) para niños
