Sosúa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sosúa
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Municipality
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Sosúa beach
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 Sosúa
Location in the Dominican Republic
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| Country |  Dominican Republic |
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| Province | Puerto Plata | ||
| Area | |||
| • Municipality | 276.89 km2 (106.91 sq mi) | ||
| Population
(2010)
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| • Municipality | 49,593 | ||
| • Density | 179.107/km2 (463.886/sq mi) | ||
| • Urban | 7,713 | ||
| Municipal districts | 2 | ||
| Distance to – Santo Domingo |
240 km (150 mi) |
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Sosúa is a lively beach town in the Puerto Plata area of the Dominican Republic. It is about 4 miles (6.4 km) from the main airport in San Felipe de Puerto Plata.
The town has three main parts. El Batey is the main tourist spot. It is on the east side of the biggest beach, Playa Sosúa. Los Charamicos is on the west side of the beach. North of these, closer to the airport, is Sosúa Abajo.
You can get to Sosúa mainly by Highway 5. This road runs along the northern coast of the country.
Contents
A Look at Sosúa's History
How Sosúa Began
The town of Sosúa was officially started by Jewish settlers. They were escaping from Nazi Germany during a very difficult time. In 1938, at a meeting called the Evian Conference, Rafael Trujillo offered to welcome many Jewish refugees.
Between 1940 and 1945, about 800 Jewish people from Germany and Austria came to Sosúa. They received special visas from the Dominican government. An agreement was made between Trujillo and Jewish business people in New York City.
Building a New Life
The government gave the settlers land and resources. With this help, they built a food factory and a company. This company was named Productos Sosúa. It is still in business today, making food products.
Some families who are descendants of the first Jewish settlers still live in Sosúa. One of them is Ilana Neumann, who used to be the mayor. These families are an important part of the community. They have a synagogue (a Jewish place of worship) and a museum.
Many descendants of the refugees have moved to the United States. However, some families stayed. They opened inns and bed and breakfasts. These places were first visited by former refugees coming back to see their old home.
Exploring the Town of Sosúa
What is Sosúa Abajo Like?
Sosúa Abajo means "Lower Sosúa." It is on the western side of Sosúa. This area is in a valley near a river that flows into Sosúa Bay. Sosúa Abajo is mostly a countryside area. Many people who work in the El Batey area live here. They also commute to nearby Cabarete Bay and Playa Dorada.
Discovering Los Charamicos
The neighborhood of Los Charamicos is between El Batey and Sosúa Abajo. It is a busy city area with many people. Los Charamicos is known for its fun nightlife, dancing, and many bars.
Fun at Sosúa's Bay and Beaches
Water Sports in Sosúa Bay
Sosúa Bay is a great place for people who love water sports. Many snorkelers and divers come here. The water is calm and protected. You can see many different kinds of fish and beautiful coral reefs. In the winter, watching whales is also a popular activity in Sosúa Bay.
New Beaches to Explore
Recently, a new beach has formed naturally just north of Sosúa Bay. Sand has built up where there used to be only rocky cliffs. This new beach is called Playa Alicia.
Sosúa has several other beaches too. Sosúa Beach is shaped like a crescent moon. It is protected by coral formations. Other beaches include Waterfront (Playa Alicia), Paradise Beach, Playa Imbert, and Playa Chiquita. Waterfront beach is quite new, forming around 2002 after a storm.
Gallery
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Sosua street mural
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Jewish museum
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Sosua resort area
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Los Charamicos
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See also
In Spanish: Sosúa para niños
