Yaguate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
San Gregorio de Yaguate
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Yaguate town hall
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 San Gregorio de Yaguate
Location in the Dominican Republic
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| Country |  Dominican Republic |
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| Province | San Cristóbal | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 121.81 km2 (47.03 sq mi) | |
| Population
(2012)
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| • Total | 92,586 | |
| • Density | 760.09/km2 (1,968.61/sq mi) | |
| Municipal Districts | 0 |
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Yaguate is a town and a type of local government area called a municipio in the San Cristóbal province. This area is located in the southern part of the Dominican Republic. Yaguate is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) from the city of San Cristóbal. It is also close to the main road, DR-2, which leads to Baní.
Yaguate's Early Days
At the end of the 1500s, a Spanish captain named Juan Tello de Guzmán started the Yaguate settlement. It was on the western side of the Nizao River. The first people who lived there mainly raised cattle. They did not focus on growing crops for big industries.
These early settlements were like ranches. Families lived there and mostly raised horses and cut wood. Other places, called "mills," needed many workers. But ranches did not need as many people. This meant that in Yaguate, most of the people living there were Spanish.
Life and Work in Yaguate
The town square in Yaguate has a basketball court where people can play. There are also several churches for worship. The Ayuntamiento, which is the town hall, is also located here. It's where the local government works.
Yaguate has a small high school for students. There is also a clinic for health care. You can find a few small grocery stores and some bars. The area around the town is full of fields where sugar cane grows. Close to Yaguate, there is a large sugar factory called "Ingenio Caei."
If you travel north from the town, the road goes through several small neighborhoods. It leads to the Nizao river. Many sand mines are found in this area. The river is very clear, so there are also some great spots for swimming. Further up the road, you will find the Valdesia Dam.
In 2003, Yaguate experienced a big flood. About half of the town was covered in water. Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints helped rescue many people. Sadly, one person died during the flood.
Famous People from Yaguate
Yaguate is home to several well-known professional baseball players:
- Michael Pineda (born 1989) is a professional baseball pitcher. He has played for teams like the Detroit Tigers.
- Jeurys Familia (born 1989) is also a professional baseball pitcher. He has played for teams such as the Philadelphia Phillies.
- Jose Ramirez (born 1990) is another professional baseball pitcher.
- Arodys Vizcaíno (born 1990) is a professional baseball pitcher. He has been part of the Kansas City Royals organization.
See also
In Spanish: Yaguate para niños
