La Vega

La Vega is a major commercial and manufacturing hub situated in the fertile La Vega Real region of central Dominican Republic. The city sits beside the Camú River and serves as a focal point for trade, production, and agricultural activity.

The settlement began in 1495 at the base of Concepción fortress before an earthquake destroyed the original site in 1564. It was relocated to its current location and evolved into one of the largest European settlements in the hemisphere.

The city hosts vibrant celebrations centered on Carnival each February, with local artists creating elaborate masks and costumes that define the street life. Music and dance traditions rooted in African and Spanish heritage remain visible in daily community gatherings.

The city is accessible by multiple transportation routes including an airfield, a railway connection to Sánchez port, and paved highways linking to Santo Domingo and Monte Cristi. Travelers can choose different options depending on where they are coming from.

The city produced the first coins minted in the New World, marking it as an early center of economic power in the hemisphere. This legacy of monetary production distinguished it as one of the most important early European commercial hubs in the Americas.

Location: La Vega Province

Inception: 1494

Elevation above the sea: 100 m

Website: http://lavega.com

GPS coordinates: 19.22417,-70.52833

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:38