Distrito Nacional, Administrative division in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Distrito Nacional is the smallest administrative division of the Dominican Republic, covering mainly Santo Domingo with its densely built neighborhoods. The area sits directly on the Caribbean coast and extends across several zones with government offices, residential blocks, and commercial streets.
The government created Distrito Nacional in 1936 from parts of the former Santo Domingo Province to administer the capital separately. In 2001, the territory was divided again, forming the new Santo Domingo Province around the core city.
The district contains Ciudad Colonial, the oldest European settlement in the Americas, with numerous historical structures and governmental institutions.
The metro network connects different parts of the area and makes it easier to move between residential and commercial neighborhoods. Streets can get very busy during rush hours, so plan trips outside typical commute times when possible.
Unlike the other provinces in the country, this administrative unit covers only one municipality without further subdivision. It also has no provincial governor as the other regions of the country do.
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