San José de las Matas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
San José de las Matas
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View of San José de las Matas
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 San José de las Matas
Location in the Dominican Republic
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| Country (Island) |  Dominican Republic |
| Province | Santiago |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,502.83 km2 (580.25 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 523 m (1,716 ft) |
| Population
(2012)
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| • Total | 109,071 |
| • Density | 72.5771/km2 (187.9738/sq mi) |
| Municipal Districts | 3 |
San José de las Matas, often called Sajoma, is an important town in the Santiago province of the Dominican Republic. It is known as a municipio, which is like a large local area with its own government. The person in charge of Sajoma is its mayor, Alfredo Reyes. In recent years, Sajoma has seen many good changes, like getting a 911 emergency system. This municipality also includes three smaller areas called municipal districts (distritos municipal): El Rubio, La Cuesta, and Las Placetas.
Contents
What is the Climate Like in Sajoma?
San José de Las Matas has a tropical monsoon climate. This means it has two short dry seasons and two long rainy seasons, called monsoons, for most of the year. The weather is usually warm and humid.
Discovering San José de Las Matas
San José de Las Matas, or "Sajoma," is located in the province of Santiago. It is one of the fastest growing towns for Ecotourism. Ecotourism is about visiting natural places in a way that protects the environment.
This town's growth is thanks to a special plan that started in 2010. Sajoma covers a large area of about 1,506 square kilometers. It shares borders with other places like San Juan de la Maguana, Santiago Rodríguez, Jánico, and Santiago.
Thousands of visitors come to Sajoma every month. They enjoy the fresh air from the mountains and the warm welcome from the people who live there.
Exploring Sajoma's Parks and Attractions
Sajoma is home to several beautiful parks and interesting places. Ariel Díaz manages three of the main tourist parks: Aguas Calientes, El Temático Arroyo Hondo, and Parque Acuático la Ventana.
Aguas Calientes: Natural Hot Springs
The Aguas Calientes park gets its water from the Bao River. It's famous for its hot water that comes out of a stone in the middle of the river. This water contains sulfur and other minerals. Many people visit because they believe the water has healing properties for the skin.
El Temático Arroyo Hondo: History and Fun
In Arroyo Hondo, you can find the country's very first hydroelectric power plant. It was built a long time ago by Rafael Leonidas Trujillo. This park has areas for children to play, a swimming pool, and even places for exciting air sports.
La Ventana Spa: A Window to Nature
The La Ventana spa is located on the Ámina river, in the community of Inoa. It's one of the most well-known spots in the area. The river has a unique rock with a hole in it, which looks like a window. The water here is naturally clean and clear.
Hundreds of people from all over the country visit these parks. They come from cities like Higüey, Barahona, Santiago, Santo Domingo, San Cristóbal, and La Vega. More and more visitors are discovering these beautiful places each year.
Other Fun Places to Visit
Besides the main parks, Sajoma has other attractions. These include The Milagrosa Chapel, Mirador el Fuerte Parks, the big entrance sign to the municipality, La Empanada de Leonora, and Club Hacienda Campo Verde.
Club Hacienda Campo Verde has a river, a pool, a restaurant, and other fun things to do. Sajoma also hosts the Casabe Fair every year. For three days, over five thousand people come to this event to celebrate and enjoy.
See also
In Spanish: San José de las Matas para niños
