Constanza, Dominican Republic facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Constanza
|
|
|---|---|
Aerial view of Constanza
|
|
 Constanza
Location in the Dominican Republic
|
|
| Country |  Dominican Republic |
| Province | La Vega |
| Area | |
| • Total | 848.79 km2 (327.72 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,164 m (3,819 ft) |
| Population
(2010)
|
|
| • Total | 59,052 |
| • Density | 69.5720/km2 (180.1906/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 25,683 |
| • Demonym | Constantian (Spanish: constanceño) |
| Distance to – Santo Domingo |
140 km |
| Municipal Districts | 2 |
| Climate | Cfb |
Constanza is a cool town and municipality in the La Vega Province of the Dominican Republic. It's located in the Central Mountain Range. Constanza is famous for having the coldest temperatures on the island of Hispaniola and even in the whole Caribbean region!
Contents
History of Constanza
.jpg)
The name Constanza comes from an old legend. It's said to be named after the daughter of a local Taíno chief who lived in the valley. For a long time, Constanza was a quiet, unpopulated area.
However, many explorers knew about this valley. In 1750, a settler named Victoriano Velano brought European farming and ranching ideas to the area. Later, in 1852, a German-British explorer and consul named Sir Robert Hermann Schomburgk mentioned a farm in the Constanza valley during his travels.
The town of Constanza was officially started in 1894. It became a municipality in La Vega Province on September 9, 1907.
On June 14, 1959, a plane landed on an airstrip in Constanza. It carried over forty rebels who wanted to challenge the leader of the Dominican Republic at that time, Rafael Trujillo. They fought in the nearby mountains against the Dominican Army for two months. The armed forces eventually stopped the rebellion.
Geography of Constanza
The town of Constanza sits high up, about 1,220 meters (4,000 feet) above sea level. It's right in the middle of the Cordillera Central. This is the tallest mountain range on the island of Hispaniola and in the entire Caribbean!
The valley itself is about 8 kilometers (5 miles) long and 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) wide. The average temperatures here can range from 5°C (41°F) to 20°C (68°F). This depends on how high up you are and the time of year.
Constanza's Climate
Constanza has a cool, wet climate, much like a temperate oceanic or subtropical highland climate. This means it has cool temperatures and rain all year round. The average yearly temperature in the town is around 18°C (64°F). In the higher mountain areas, it can be less than 10°C (50°F).
In the summer, daytime temperatures are usually between 25°C and 27°C (77-81°F). At night, it cools down to 12°C to 15°C (54-59°F). Sometimes, wildfires can happen. In the winter, days are cooler, between 21°C and 24°C (70-75°F). Nights are chilly, from 8°C to 12°C (46-54°F). Fog is also very common.
The coldest temperature ever recorded in Constanza town was -1°C (30°F) in 1958. However, in a nearby area called Valle Nuevo, freezing temperatures are quite normal.
Economy and Farming
Constanza's economy is mostly based on its strong farming industry. Because of its special cool climate, it grows lots of different vegetables and fruits. These include yummy strawberries, peaches, apples, garlic, and potatoes.
This farming success means that Constanza alone adds about 4% to the country's total economic output. This is amazing because less than 1% of the Dominican population lives here! This makes Constanza one of the richest municipalities in the country for each person living there.
Tourism in Constanza
Constanza is well-known for its amazing mountain climate. It's quite unique to find such cool weather on a tropical island! Many local tourists visit during the winter months.
Throughout the rest of the year, people come to Constanza for other reasons. It's close to the Ebano Verde Scientific Reserve, a special nature area. It's also the closest way to reach Pico Duarte. This is the tallest mountain in the country, on the island, and in the entire Caribbean!
Nature and Wildlife
The nearby Ebano Verde Scientific Reserve is a very important place for nature. It has the widest variety of plants and animals found on Hispaniola. The mountains around Constanza are covered with Hispaniolan pine forests.
You can see many special animals here that live only on this island. These include the Hispaniolan palm crow, Antillean siskin, rufous-throated solitaire, and Hispaniolan crossbill. The number of crossbills depends on how many pine cones there are! You might also spot the Hispaniolan trogon. At lower elevations, you can see the Hispaniolan parrot, scaly-naped pigeon, and golden swallow. Many of these birds are endangered species, meaning they are at risk of disappearing.
Getting Around
You can get to Constanza by flying into the Constanza Airport with local airlines. You can also travel there using local bus companies.
People of Constanza
Constanza has about 59,052 people living there. A big part of the population has ancestors from different countries. Many came from Spain (from places like Burgos, Palencia, and Vizcaya). There are also people whose families came from Hungary and Japan. A smaller number of people have Arab, Jewish, and Chinese backgrounds.
These different groups of people often lived in their own neighborhoods. They kept the traditions and customs of their ancestors alive. The three most well-known groups are the Spanish colony, the Hungarian Colony, and the Japanese Colony. The Japanese Colony is located on the road that leads to Valle Nuevo and San José de Ocoa.
Images for kids
-
Aerial view of Constanza
See also
In Spanish: Constanza (República Dominicana) para niños
