Tourist Guide Puerto Plata
Making up the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic has had a turbulent history from the first arrival of Europeans in 1492 through to the present day. Control of the country has changed hands a number of times, with Spain, France, Haiti and the United States all taking their turn (and sometimes more than once) at ruling the area. This representative democracy has seen an increase in political stability since 1961 following the death of military dictator Rafael Leónidas Trujillo.
Puerto Plata is a natural port that was discovered by Christopher Columbus
in the 1490s, and is located in one of the Dominican Republic’s Northern
provinces. The first fort in the New World, Fuerto di San Felipe, was built
here in 1540, and the port was an important stop on the trade route between
the Americas and Europe. Spanish traders moved south during the 1600s to Santo
Domingo, Cuba and Puerto Rico, leaving Puerto Plata to pirates. Having become
a haven for illicit activities, the city was destroyed by Spanish royal decree,
but was rebuilt in the 1740s by Spanish immigrants from the Canary Islands.
As the capital of the province, Puerto Plata is also the largest city in this
part of the country.
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Related Contents
More Travel Guides in Dominican Republic:
Sosúa (About 11.1 mi) - Cabarete (About 18.3 mi)
More information Dominican Republic:
All cities in Dominican Republic - Dominican Republic Photos - Dominican Republic Map
| Sosúa - 11.1 mi | |
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Sosúa is a small town which is situated in the province of Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. The town is divided into 3 divisions namely Los Charamicos, Sosua Abajo and... |
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| Cabarete - 18.3 mi | |
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Cabarete is a small beach village located on the northern shore of the Dominican Republic. It is only 20 minutes away from the Puerto Plata International Airport.
The village ... |
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