Santiago de los Caballeros is the second largest city in the Dominican Republic, capital of the province of Santiago and the main metropolitan center of the northern region or Cibao. It was founded in 1495 during the first wave of Spanish colonization of the New World as the "First Santiago of America". It is located in the north-central region of the country known as the Cibao Valley, about 155 km northwest of Santo Domingo and at an average altitude of 178 meters above sea level. It has a total area of 612 km2 Santiago de los Caballeros is one of the main economic, financial, political, social and cultural centers of the Dominican Republic. It is also an important industrial center of rum, textiles, cigarettes and tobacco industry, all are there. Footwear factories, leather goods and furniture are an important part of the economic life of the region and the country.
In 1495 Christopher Columbus founded the fort of Santiago during his first trip, on the north bank of the Yaque del Norte River. In 1506 the town that forms around it is transferred to the banks of the Jacagua River. It was the first city in America to be called by the name of Santiago. Later this name as a city was adapted by Santiago de Chile (Chile) and Santiago de Cuba (Cuba).
In 1562, Santiago is destroyed by an earthquake. The survivors settle in lands belonging to Petronila Jáquez Viuda Minaya, adjacent to the Yaque del Norte River, current location of the city.
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Santiago has witnessed important historical events. It is worth mentioning the Battle of March 30, 1844 or Battle of Santiago, with which the Dominicans consolidate their independence and what happened in the current Imbert Park of this city.
It was the capital of the Dominican Republic during the War of the Restoration (Dominican Republic) (1863-1865). Santiago has had important personalities in the political, economic and social fields of the country.
