Mella

**Mella** is a town in the western Dominican Republic, part of Independencia Province. The population was 3,008 at the 2012 census.

## Mella

### Region

 Independencia Province
Enriquillo

### Distance to:

Jimaní: 54 km (*34 mi.*)
Santo Domingo:
207 km (*129 mi.*)

## History

The first house was built by Valoy Mancebo in 1874. Visionary men eager for adventure founded the town in 1874 under the name of *Los Yesos* or *"El Alto de los Yesos".* In 1892, it was changed to its current name in honor of Father Mella de Neyba, the parish priest at the time.

The urbanization and layout of the town is due to Mr. Juan Matos, who from early on was in charge of outlining the streets as the houses were being built. He was also responsible for the town having, from very early on, a cockpit, a place for the school, a Catholic church and a club for celebrating the holidays.

The first aqueduct was built in 1957; the town was electrified in 1963. In 1975 a new aqueduct was built.

On July 14, 1974, Mella was granted the category of municipal district during the mandate of President Dr. Joaquín Balaguer, and later it granted municipal status by President Hipólito Mejía in 2003.

## Geography

Mella is located in the center of the Neyba Valley, at 18.3595° N, 71.4166° W. According to the ONE, this town has a total land area of 508.81 square kilometers (196.45 square miles). It is bordered on the north and northeast by the Barohuco Province city of Neyba and town of Galván, on the east by the Barahona Province towns of Cristóbal, Las Salinas, and Polo, on the south by the Pedernales Province city of Pedernales, and on the west by the town of Duvergé. It has two municipal districts; **Mella** and **La Colonia.** It has the largest amount of flat land in the province, in addition to having within its limits a considerable portion of the Sierra de Bahoruco.

Mella is located on a prominence, which prevents flooding, in addition to being forded by a canal and a river that drains any flood during the rains. It has a layout that gives it the appearance of having been urbanized by topographers. The names of the main streets are from townspeople who have been an important part of the town's history, such as: Juan Matos, Valoy Mancebo, José Dolores Urbáez, and Arsenio Matos, among others.

There is a park located in the very center of the town, which has been remodeled.

Currently, Mella has a primary school, a high school, a music school, a municipal library and two cemeteries.

## Economy

The local economy is primarily based on agriculture (scallion, plantain, cassava, banana, coconut and vegetables) and mining (limestone and plaster). It also benefits from trade with Haiti.

Mella has a moderate agricultural production of short-cycle items, among which chives stand out. Its hills are quarries of limestone, gypsum and rock salt, resources that are still unexploited.

## Landmarks

In the northwestern part of the town, there is the monument to Enriquillo, the Taíno chief who is considered a hero of the indigenous resistance for rebelling against the Spanish.

## Culture and Heritage

Its patron saint festivities are held every **June 24**, in honor of San Juan Bautista. Among its typical activities during this date include horse races in which the animals and their riders are adorned.

## References

Mella [1]

Mella [2], [3]