Hato Mayor del Rey

**Hato Mayor,** officially **Hato Mayor del Rey,** is a city and the seat of government of Hato Mayor Province in the Dominican Republic.

## Hato Mayor del Rey

### Region

Higüamo
Hato Mayor Province

## Etymology

In English, Hato Mayor del Rey means *the largest cattle ranch of the King*.

## History

Hato Mayor del Rey was founded around 1520 by Francisco Dávila, as a colonial hacienda (plantation) dedicated to livestock and agriculture. Francisco Dávila in his position as Royal Treasurer and Perpetual Regidor in Hispaniola, established the Mayorazgo de los Dávila on August 23, 1554 in the city of Santo Domingo, with the presence of his nephew Gaspar Dávila, becoming part of the extensive Mayorazgo of the Davila.

Through time, the ranch passed through the hands of various heirs and owners, but it was not until 1746 when Don Antonio Coca and Landeche Vevers, who was perpetual administrator of the Mayorazgo de los Dávila, founded Hato Mayor as a town; since this point, he had erected a hermitage dedicated to Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes to encourage the people around the hacienda to practice the Catholic religion.

Until **July 1843** Hato Mayor was a section, dependent on the city and province of El Seibo, thus making Hato Mayor a commune by the Haitian occupation forces under Charles Rivière-Hérard, who acquired its civil registration in the province, and separated it from the city of El Seibo. But on **June 9, 1845,** the municipal right for Hato Mayor was lost, according to Law No. 40 on Provincial Administration, once again being a military post of El Seibo. On **October 13, 1848,** President Manuel Jiménez, proclaimed Hato Mayor del Rey's municipal status through Decree No. 174 of the Conservative Council and the Chamber of the Tribunate. During the annexation, Hato Mayor del Rey was converted into the Command of Arms dependent on El Seibo.

## Geography

Hato Mayor del Rey is located at 18.7635° N, 69.2550° W. According to the ONE, this municipality has a total land area of 659.65 square kilometers (254.69 square miles) spread across four municipal districts; **Hato Mayor, Yerba Buena, Mata Palacio,** and **Guayabo Dulce.**

In the municipality, the main rivers of the province are the Ozama and the Yabacao. Other rivers are Comate, Yamasá, Mijo, Boya, Socoa, Aras, Sabita and Guanuma.

### Neighborhoods

The Center, Urban sector of the city of Hato Mayor del Rey, was founded around 1739. Its original name was *Pueblo Arriba,* owing its name to the rugged terrain, this name being abolished around the 1980s by **El Centro.** In 1918, due to differences in neighbors, the name Pueblo Nuevo was established on a strip of El Centro. Among the important events that occurred in this sector, the proclamation of National Independence stands out, some eight hours before the blunderbuss of Matías Ramón Mella, at the Puerta del Conde, in 1844. In addition, the Battle of The Plaza.

### Climate

This town has a tropical climate. Average annual temperature of 25°C (77°F) and abundant rainfall for most of the year (1,642 mm or 646.26 inches).

The temperatures present little variation, but in general between **April** and **November** it presents temperatures from *pleasant to temperate* in the morning and night, as well as hot during the day; while between **December** and **March,** temperatures range from *cool* to pleasant in the morning and night, from warm during the day.

## Economy

The economy of this municipality is based on the cultivation of bananas and corn, and the raising of cattle for the dairy industry. However, Hato Mayor del Rey has certain ecotourism opportunities such as the Fun Fun caves, one of the largest caves in the world.

## Culture and Heritage

Its patron saint festivities are celebrated every **September 24** in honor of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes.

## References

Hato Mayor [1]

Hato Mayor[2]