Nagua

**Nagua** is a city in the María Trinidad Sánchez Province of the northeastern Dominican Republic. Located in the northeast of the María Trinidad Sánchez province, the city of Nagua stands as the capital. It is an area especially known for its paradisiacal beaches, most of them are of fine white sand.

## Nagua

### Region

María Trinidad Sánchez Province
Cibao NE

## Location

Located in the northeast of the coast of the Samaná peninsula, Nagua is on the highway that leads from Puerto Plata to the municipality of Samaná .

## About

Originally, in 1938, the welcoming city was baptized as *Julia Molina*, the name of the mother of the then dictator Rafael Trujillo, and after her fall in 1961, the name was changed to *Nagua*.

Commonly known as *Boca de Nagua*, this beautiful city has much to offer visitors, especially ecotourism lovers. Some of the most recommended places by both national and international tourists are, the Cabo Francés Viejo natural monument, Laguna Dudú, or Diamante Beach.

## History

Before the creation of the province, its territory was part of the Samaná Province; It was created in 1959 with the current name of María Trinidad Sánchez. The municipality of Nagua, head of the María Trinidad Sánchez province, was founded at the mouth of the Nagua River. Although the first name was Boca de Nagua Due to the origin of its foundation, an ordinance of the Matanzas town hall was approved that designated the section as a tribute to the mother of the President and dictator Rafael Trujillo. The name of Julia Molina was suppressed by that of María Trinidad Sánchez after the fall of the tyrant.

What is today the growing city of Nagua, began as in the 19th century, a sleepy and boring hamlet made up of two rows of houses that its inhabitants built next to the waters of the Scottish Bay. In that part of the northeast coast that the land seems to have taken from the waters of the Atlantic.

From their houses built, mostly made of wood, and roofed with yagua, the Nagueros had Matanzas as the commercial, administrative and political center of the entire area between Sosúa, Puerto Plata, in the North and Samaná, located at the tip of the Northeast Region. San José de Matanza was a town founded before the Republic was born. It had a small but active pier, from which trade with other parts of the country was activated.

As a consequence of the damage suffered by the earthquake; The inhabitants of Matanzas were forced to move permanently to the municipality of Julia Molina in its entirety. “By immigrating to said municipality, more than 100 families; They contributed to its progress and growth, especially in the social aspect since they brought with them customs and traditions that Julia Molina lacked due to her youth.

## Geography

Nagua is located at 19.3176° N, 69.8865° W. According to the ONE, this municipality has a total land area of 552.71 square kilometers (213.40 square miles). It includes three municipal districts: **San José de Matanzas**, **Las Gordas** and **Arroyo al Medio**. It is bordered on the north the towns of Rio San Juan and Cabrera, on the southeast by the Samaná Province town of Sánchez, on the south by the towns of Arenoso (Duarte Province) and El Factor, and on the west by the Duarte Province city of San Francisco de Macorís. The municipality of Nagua is 145 km (*90 miles*) north of the city of Santo Domingo.

## Economy

Nagua is a medium-sized city. The economy is based mainly on the agricultural sector.

### Farming

Agriculture in the municipality is based mainly on the following products: rice, coconut, cocoa, peanuts, oranges and meats. These are mixed with an economy of minor fruits.

For the year 1960 the production of rice in the municipality of Nagua was 1,905 quintals in husk and by 1971, the production had risen to 4,559 quintals. Producers obtaining great benefits.

### Cattle raising

The livestock sector has some 69 farms dedicated to dairy production, with a total of 9,379 head of cattle. These produce about 15,534 liters of milk per day. Poultry farming in the municipality of Nagua has decreased significantly. Poultry production is hardly promoted, the current poultry situation is less.

### Service sector

Another cause that contributes to the economic development of the municipality is the installation of branches of the various banks that operate in the country, reducing unemployment. As well as other contributions made by entrepreneurs in this municipality, especially in their industries, block factories, pharmacies, various shops, among others.

### Tourism

In addition, since the municipality is bordered by an extensive beach area, this facilitates the construction of hotels and restaurants, in order to make internal tourism more effective, efficient and frequent.

## Culture

### Tourism

The Municipality, as a young town, traces various traditions carried out at different times of the year. Most of them remain in force, identifying this place as such.

#### Festivities

Among these traditions we can mention: The patron saint festivities, which arose exactly in 1935, when it was just a section of the disappeared community of Matanzas. They are popularly started with simplicity. They were limited to a novena, with festivities of drums, prayers and songs offered to the Virgin of Altagracia, who has always been the patron saint of the festivities.

#### Day of the absent Nagüero

Time passes, in these only the ecclesiastical authorities, civil and military officials, the music band and the people participated. However, it is from the year 1973 when political and cultural groups are incorporated. Another of the socio-cultural activities is the day of the absent nagüero, which is celebrated on January 20 of each year. The purpose of this activity is to bring together the children of Nagua who for various reasons have gone to other cities and countries.

#### Carnival

The carnival, like in other towns is celebrated in the month of February; but not as much emphasis is given as to the patron saint festivities. Comparsas parades are held on February 26 and 27. In addition, the stick festivities constitute other traditions that characterize this area. These are carried out at different times of the year according to the corresponding pattern and have a duration of nine days. These traditions and events were presented with greater frequency in the Nueva Luz Lodge, the Club Casino de la Costa and the Casa del Cine, currently they are held in public places; like Central Park.

## References

Nagua[1]

Nagua[2]

Michael Vedrine est la mejor

**Gran Estero Bay** formed by the Atlantic Ocean. A canal was proposes from the Gran Estero to the bottom of the bay of Samana. This channel would only 20 kilometers in length and would greatly assist in linking the ports of Samana bay with those of all the north coast up to Monte Christ. This work would be further facilitated by a series of channels that receive the waters of the Yuna.