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Coordinates: 18°25′48″N 68°58′12″W / 18.43000°N 68.97000°W / 18.43000; -68.97000
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<!-- Infobox begins -->
<!-- Infobox begins -->
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
|name =La Romana
| name = La Romana
|image_skyline =LaRomanaSkyline08.jpg
| image_skyline = Dominicana-Altos de Chavon.jpg
|imagesize =
| imagesize =
|image_caption = La Romana (2010)
| image_caption = Altos de Chavon church in La Romana, Dominican Republic
|image_flag =
| image_flag =
|image_seal = Escudo de la Provincia La Romana.svg
| image_seal = Escudo de la Provincia La Romana.svg
|mapsize =
| mapsize =
|pushpin_map =Dominican Republic
| pushpin_map = Dominican Republic
|pushpin_label_position =top
| pushpin_label_position = top
|pushpin_relief = 1
| pushpin_relief = 1
|coordinates = {{coord|18|25|48|N|68|58|12|W|region:DO|display=inline}}
| coordinates = {{coord|18|25|48|N|68|58|12|W|region:DO|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type =Country
| subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name ={{DOM}}
| subdivision_name = {{DOM}}
|subdivision_type1 =[[Provinces of the Dominican Republic|Province]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of the Dominican Republic|Province]]
|subdivision_name1 =[[La Romana Province]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[La Romana Province]]
|established_title =
| established_title =
|established_date =
| established_date =
|established_title2 =Municipality since
| established_title2 = Municipality since
|established_date2 = 1897
| established_date2 = 1897
|total_type =Total
| total_type = Total
|area_footnotes =<ref name="listado">Superficies a nivel de municipios, [http://one.gob.do/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=283 Oficina Nacional de Estadistica] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417021712/http://one.gob.do/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=283 |date=2009-04-17 }}</ref>
| area_footnotes = <ref name="listado">Superficies a nivel de municipios, [http://one.gob.do/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=283 Oficina Nacional de Estadistica] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417021712/http://one.gob.do/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=283 |date=2009-04-17 }}</ref>
|area_total_km2 =185.52
| area_total_km2 = 185.52
|elevation_footnotes =<ref>{{cite book
| elevation_footnotes = <ref>{{cite book
| last = De la Fuente
| last = De la Fuente
| first = Santiago
| first = Santiago
Line 30: Line 30:
| year = 1976
| year = 1976
| location = Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| location = Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| language = Spanish }}</ref>
| language = es }}</ref>
|elevation_m = 10
| elevation_m = 10
|population_total = 130,426
| population_total = 153,241
|population_as_of = December 2010 −IX Census
| population_as_of = 2022 census
|population_footnotes =<ref name="censo">Censo 2012 de Población y Vivienda, [http://one.gob.do/ Oficina Nacional de Estadistica]</ref>
| population_footnotes = <ref name="censo">Citypopulation, [https://www.citypopulation.de/en/domrep/admin/la_romana/1201__la_romana/ La Romana]</ref>
|population_density_km2 =auto
| population_density_km2 = auto
|population_urban = 127,623
| population_urban = 149,840
|population_metro = 250,000 (La Romana-Villa Hermosa conurbation)
| population_metro = 270,000 (La Romana-Villa Hermosa conurbation)
|population_blank1_title =Demonym
| population_blank1_title = Demonym
|population_blank1 =<small>(''spanish'': Romanense)</small>
| population_blank1 = <small>(''spanish'': Romanense)</small>
|blank_name =Distance to<br /><br />&nbsp;– [[Santo Domingo]]
| blank_name = Distance to<br /><br />&nbsp;– [[Santo Domingo]]
|blank_info =<br />120 km
| blank_info = <br />120 km
|blank1_name =[[Municipalities of the Dominican Republic|Municipal Districts]]
| blank1_name = [[Municipalities of the Dominican Republic|Municipal Districts]]
|blank1_info =<br />1
| blank1_info = <br />1
|blank2_name = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank2_name = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
|blank2_info = [[Tropical savanna climate|Aw]]
| blank2_info = [[Tropical savanna climate|Aw]]
}}
}} <!-- Infobox ends -->
<!-- Infobox ends -->
'''La Romana''' is the seventh-largest city in the [[Dominican Republic]] with a population estimated in 2010 at 130,426 within the city limits ([[metropolitan area|metropolitan]] population: 214,109), of whom 127,623 are urban and 2,803 are rural. The city is capital of the southeastern [[La Romana Province|province of La Romana]], opposite [[Catalina Island, Dominican Republic|Catalina Island]]. The name ''Romana'' comes from a balance that was used to weigh merchandise for export. [[Rose of Lima|Santa Rosa de Lima]] is the patron saint of La Romana.
'''La Romana''' is a municipality and capital of the southeastern [[La Romana Province|province of La Romana]], opposite [[Catalina Island, Dominican Republic|Catalina Island]]. It is one of the 10 largest cities in the [[Dominican Republic]] with a population estimated in 2022 at 153,241 within the city limits ([[metropolitan area|metropolitan]] population: 270,000), of whom 149,840 are urban and 3,401 are rural. The name ''Romana'' comes from the word "Bomana", a name given by Indians to what is known today as Romana River.


The modern [[La Romana International Airport]] was opened in 2000. The city is near several other cities, such as [[San Pedro de Macorís]] and the national capital, [[Santo Domingo|Santo Domingo de Guzmán]]. The city is a hub for a growing tourist industry with several nearby local resort spots, such as the beachfront [[Bayahibe]], Dominicus, Casa de Campo, and the growing number of golf resorts that surround the area.
The modern [[La Romana International Airport]] was opened in 2000. The city is near several other cities, such as [[San Pedro de Macorís]] and the national capital, [[Santo Domingo|Santo Domingo de Guzmán]]. The city is a hub for a growing tourist industry with several nearby local resort spots, such as the beachfront [[Bayahibe]], Dominicus, Casa de Campo, and the growing number of golf resorts that surround the area.


==History==
==History==
The city of La Romana was founded in 1897 as an oil town. After 1917 with the construction of a large sugar-mill (owned by [[Italian people|Italian]] immigrants in the region of [[Rome, Lazio]]) the economy quickly shifted to sugar production. The commissioning of the sugar mill coincided with the rise in sugar prices worldwide, prompting the [[sugar industry]] to welcome workers from other parts of the country, many poor families from the [[Dominican Republic|Dominican]] countryside moved to La Romana in search of a better life.
The city of La Romana was officially founded in 1897 as an oil town. After 1917 with the construction of a large sugar-mill the economy quickly shifted to sugar production. The commissioning of the sugar mill coincided with the rise in sugar prices worldwide, prompting the [[sugar industry]] to welcome workers from different parts of the country as well as other parts of the [[cocolo|Caribbean]], many families moved to La Romana for economic opportunities.


In early 1960, [[Gulf and Western Industries|Gulf and Western Industries, Inc.]] purchased the sugar mill and started to invest in the [[livestock industry]] which was cemented in the province. Meanwhile, $20 million were invested to rebuild La Romana and build schools, clinics, housing and other infrastructure for workers. During the mid-1970s the American conglomerate began selling its Dominican assets, and at the same time built what is now one of the largest exclusive [[tourist resort]]s in the Dominican Republic, [[Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic|Casa de Campo]].
In early 1960, [[Gulf and Western Industries|Gulf and Western Industries, Inc.]] purchased the sugar mill and started to invest in the [[livestock industry]] which was cemented in the province. Meanwhile, $20 million were invested to rebuild La Romana and build schools, clinics, housing and other infrastructure for workers. During the mid-1970s the American conglomerate began selling its Dominican assets, and at the same time built what is now one of the largest exclusive [[tourist resort]]s in the Dominican Republic, [[Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic|Casa de Campo]].


== Tourism ==
==Economy==
⚫
La Romana has historically been a [[company town]], with the [[Central Romana Corporation]] owning the majority of the town. It is a town with nearly 100% employment, mostly in the tourism industry or with The Central Romana Corporation, the Duty Free Zone ([https://web.archive.org/web/20080905142109/http://www.zfr.com.do/ Zona Franca Romana]), or one of the service businesses there.
[[Image:View-of-Chavón-River-from-Altos-de-Chavón.jpg|thumb|left|250px|View of [[Chavón River]] from [[Altos de Chavón]].]]
[[File:Dominicana-Altos de Chavon.jpg|thumb|Altos de Chavón.]]
⚫
[[Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic|Casa de Campo]] resort complex is the flagship of the La Romana All Inclusive Resorts area. Built in 1975 by Gulf+Western to be the premiere destination in the Caribbean, it has lived up to the hype. In 1984 Casa de Campo was purchased by the Central Romana Corporation which is co-owned by the [[Fanjul brothers]].


⚫
La Romana has been a one-company town since the South Puerto Rico Sugar Company built the mammoth Central Romana mill in 1917. It was the only sugar operation not taken over by [[Rafael Trujillo]] during his reign. From 1964 to 1967, the South Puerto Rico Sugar Company, including properties in Florida, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic became part of the conglomerate [[Gulf+Western]]. In 1984, the Gulf+Western Corporation sold their stake in the Central Romana Corporation to a group of local and foreign investors which includes the [[Fanjul brothers]].
⚫
[[File:Amphitheater in Altos de Chavón, La Romana, Dominican Republic.jpg|thumb|right|Altos de Chavón Amphitheater.]]
⚫
[[Altos de Chavón]] is a replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean village located just minutes from La Romana.


⚫
Gulf+Western acquired Consolidated Cigar in 1968 and shifted the Canary Island cigar-making operation to its Tabacalera de Garcia tobacco plant in La Romana. The Tabacalera de Garcia factory is currently one of the largest cigar factories in the world, and has been owned by the biggest cigar marketing company in the world, [[Altadis]], since 1999. Three world-famous brands are produced in La Romana: [[Montecristo (cigar)|Montecristo]], [[H. Upmann]], and [[Romeo y Julieta (cigar)|Romeo y Julieta]].
⚫
[[Central Romana Port|Casa de Campo International Tourist Port (Muelle Turístico Internacional Casa de Campo)]], located on the West Bank of La Romana River or ''Rio Dulce'', has been utilized primarily for the docking of commercial ships, primarily for the transport of sugar and molasses. Upon exceeding the capacity of its port, the Central Romana Corporation built its new tourism focused port on the east side of the river. The platform on the western bank was renovated and the river channel was dredged to a depth of {{convert|10.50|m|ft}}.


===City of La Romana===
⚫
Inaugurated with the arrival of the vessel ''[[Costa Marina]]'' on December 2002, the Central Romana Corporation invested US$12 million to extend the existing port by over {{convert|40000|m2|sqft}}. The port is a modern platform and harbor terminal, with a capacity for two large modern cruise ships.
<gallery mode="packed" heights="120px">
File:Casa de Campo Marina, La Romana 22000, Dominican Republic - panoramio (4).jpg
File:La Romana, Dominican Republic - panoramio (38).jpg
File:La Romana, Dominican Republic - panoramio (39).jpg
</gallery>


== Tourism ==
Today the new facilities boast two docking platforms (East Dock: {{convert|255|m|ft}} in length, West Dock: {{convert|225|m|ft}} in length), a {{convert|1000|m2|sqft}} passenger terminal and parking facilities which accommodate 24 buses.
⚫
[[File:Amphitheater in Altos de Chavón, La Romana, Dominican Republic.jpg|thumb|right|Altos de Chavón Amphitheater.]]


⚫
[[Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic|Casa de Campo]] resort complex is the flagship of the La Romana All Inclusive Resorts area. Built in 1975 by Gulf+Western to be the premiere destination in the Caribbean, it has lived up to the hype. In 1984 Casa de Campo was purchased by the Central Romana Corporation which is co-owned by the [[Fanjul brothers]].
==Economy==
[[File:DOMREP-laromana-passagierterminal.jpg|thumb|right|300px|La Romana terminal.]]
[[File:Altos de Chavon 3.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Chavon river in La Romana, Dominican Republic.]]
⚫
La Romana is not a typical Dominican town; instead, it is a [[company town]], with the Central Romana Corporation owning the majority of the town. It is a town with nearly 100% employment, mostly in the tourism industry or with The Central Romana Corporation, the Duty Free Zone ([https://web.archive.org/web/20080905142109/http://www.zfr.com.do/ Zona Franca Romana]), or one of the service businesses there.


⚫
[[Altos de Chavón]] is a reconstruction of a 16th-century Mediterranean village located just minutes from La Romana.
[[File:LaRomanaSkyline.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Romana del Oeste.]]
⚫
La Romana has been a one-company town since the South Puerto Rico Sugar Company built the mammoth Central Romana mill in 1917. It was the only sugar operation not taken over by [[Rafael Trujillo]] during his reign. From 1964 to 1967, the South Puerto Rico Sugar Company, including properties in Florida, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic became part of the conglomerate [[Gulf+Western]]. In 1984, the Gulf+Western Corporation sold their stake in the Central Romana Corporation to a group of local and foreign investors which includes the [[Fanjul brothers]].


⚫
[[Central Romana Port|Casa de Campo International Tourist Port (Muelle Turístico Internacional Casa de Campo)]], located on the West Bank of La Romana River or ''Rio Dulce'', has been utilized primarily for the docking of commercial ships, primarily for the transport of sugar and molasses. Upon exceeding the capacity of its port, the Central Romana Corporation built its new tourism focused port on the east side of the river. The platform on the western bank was renovated and the river channel was dredged to a depth of {{convert|10.50|m|ft}}.
⚫
Gulf+Western acquired Consolidated Cigar in 1968 and shifted the Canary Island cigar-making operation to its Tabacalera de Garcia tobacco plant in La Romana. The Tabacalera de Garcia factory is currently one of the largest cigar factories in the world, and has been owned by the biggest cigar marketing company in the world, [[Altadis]], since 1999. Three world-famous brands are produced in La Romana: [[Montecristo (cigar)|Montecristo]], [[H. Upmann]], and [[Romeo y Julieta (cigar)|Romeo y Julieta]].


⚫
Inaugurated with the arrival of the vessel ''[[Costa Marina]]'' in December 2002, the Central Romana Corporation invested US$12 million to extend the existing port by over {{convert|40000|m2|sqft}}. The port is a modern platform and harbor terminal, with a capacity for two large modern cruise ships. Today the new facilities boast two docking platforms (East Dock: {{convert|255|m|ft}} in length, West Dock: {{convert|225|m|ft}} in length), a {{convert|1000|m2|sqft}} passenger terminal and parking facilities which accommodate 24 buses.
This town is characterized by its tremendous influence in the country's tourism programs. It's filled with beautiful beaches and many hotels and resorts. There are also many growing suburban areas and fenced communities This town has a large population, and all the problems associated with high-density areas. It does not have many notable sights in terms of architecture or urban spaces, being barely 100 years old. It grew very fast compared to the much older and slower-paced [[Concepción de la Vega|La Vega]] or [[Santa Cruz del Seibo|Seibo]], which are more typical Dominican towns.{{Citation needed|date=June 2013}}

[[La Romana International Airport]] (IATA: LRM, ICAO: MDLR) is a private commercial airport in the east of the Dominican Republic, serving the resort town of La Romana and the resort of Casa de Campo. It was built in a traditional Dominican style, with open-air terminals.
[[File:Dominikanische Republik, La Romana International Airport - Dominican Republic - panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|La Romana airport.]]
There is a significant number of charter lines and flights to La Romana; this airport registered a large influx of visitors in 2002, making it one of the most visited airports in the Dominican Republic.

It currently ranks fifth in air traffic, behind Punta Cana, Las Américas, Puerto Plata and Santiago. The airport receives many international airlines. The airport has 7 positions in the international terminal and a spacious private aviation terminal where up to 12 private jets can be parked.


==Climate==
==Climate==
La Romana has a [[tropical savanna climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Aw'') only slightly above a [[semi-arid climate#Hot semi-arid climates|hot semi-arid climate]] (''BSh'') due to its shielded location from the northeasterly [[trade winds]].

{{Weather box
{{Weather box
|location = La Romana, Dominican Republic (1961–1990)
|location = La Romana, Dominican Republic (1961–1990)
|metric first = yes
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|single line = yes
|width = auto
|temperature colour = pastel
|Jan record high C = 34.8
|Jan record high C = 34.8
|Feb record high C = 33.0
|Feb record high C = 33.0
Line 170: Line 182:
| title = La Romana Climate Normals 1961-1990
| title = La Romana Climate Normals 1961-1990
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| accessdate = September 15, 2016}}</ref>
| access-date = September 15, 2016}}</ref>
}}
}}


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In 1983, the government of [[Salvador Jorge Blanco]], through the fund for development of this region, built the ''Polideportivo de La Romana'' (La Romana Sports Center), which was named after [[Eleoncio Mercedes]] in honor of the flyweight boxer who became world champion. The Cañeros de La Romana, a Dominican [[basketball]] team, play their home games here.
In 1983, the government of [[Salvador Jorge Blanco]], through the fund for development of this region, built the ''Polideportivo de La Romana'' (La Romana Sports Center), which was named after [[Eleoncio Mercedes]] in honor of the flyweight boxer who became world champion. The Cañeros de La Romana, a Dominican [[basketball]] team, play their home games here.


==Demography==
==Population==
[[File:La_Romana_Dominican_Republic_city_students.jpg|thumb|right|La Romana, Dominican Republic school students.]]
* 1981 : 91,571
* 1993 : 140,200
* 2022 : 131,828
* 2004 : 171,500
* 2010 : 139,671
* 2012 : 227,856
* 2022 : 153,241


==Notable residents==
==Notable people==

⚫
* Ramon Rijo A.K.A. "MONCHY" Singer, Musician, Songwriter and Musical Producer [[Monchy y Alexandra]]
⚫
* [[Fernando Abad]] Major League Baseball pitcher for the [[Boston Red Sox]]
* [[Antonio Alfonseca]] pitched for the [[Philadelphia Phillies]]
* [[Antonio Alfonseca]] pitched for the [[Philadelphia Phillies]]
* [[Juana Arrendel]] high jumper
* [[Juana Arrendel]] high jumper
Line 191: Line 204:
* [[Andújar Cedeño]] former MLB shortstop
* [[Andújar Cedeño]] former MLB shortstop
* [[Domingo Cedeño]] former MLB infielder
* [[Domingo Cedeño]] former MLB infielder
* Juan Alberto Cirez<ref>https://ca.linkedin.com/in/j-a-cirez-integrated-technologies-inc-ab0b8310</ref> - (born March 3, 1970) Software Engineer ([[Encryption]], [[Cybersecurity]]) Blogger<ref>https://www.medium.com/@jacirez</ref>, and Entrepreneur<ref>https://www.rdcsafety.com</ref><ref>https://www.jacintech.com</ref><ref>https://www.sureza.com</ref>. Was one of the developers behind Storm Linux (a [[Linux]] [[Linux distribution|Distro]]) and [[Stormix|Stomix Technologies]]
* Fredy Deza pitcher for the [[Baltimore Orioles]]
* [[Rafael Dolis]] relief pitcher for the [[Toronto Blue Jays]].
* [[Rafael Dolis]] relief pitcher for the [[Toronto Blue Jays]].
* [[Edwin Encarnación]] first baseman for the [[Cleveland Indians]].
* [[Edwin Encarnación]] first baseman for the [[Cleveland Indians]].
* [[Pedro Florimón]] shortstop for the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]]
* [[Pedro Florimón]] shortstop for the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]]
* [[Freddy García (infielder)|Freddy García]] former MLB infielder
* [[Freddy García (infielder)|Freddy García]] former MLB infielder
* Kelly Horford retired professional basketball player
* [[Tito Horford]] retired professional basketball player
* [[Tito Horford]] retired professional basketball player
* [[Luis Ernesto José]] lightweight boxer
* [[Luis Ernesto José]] lightweight boxer
* [[Eleoncio Mercedes]] former world champion boxer in the Flyweight division.
* [[Eleoncio Mercedes]] former world champion boxer in the Flyweight division
* [[Yermín Mercedes]], catcher/designated hitter for the [[San Francisco Giants]]
⚫
* Ramon Rijo A.K.A. "MONCHY," singer, Musician, songwriter and Musical Producer, [[Monchy y Alexandra]]
* [[John Nolasco]] featherweight boxer
* [[John Nolasco]] featherweight boxer
* [[Pedro Julio Nolasco]] Professional Boxer & Winner of Dominican Republics first ever Olympic medal (Bronze), during the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, United States. Silver medalist at the 83' Pan American Games. Shot and killed in 95.
* [[Pedro Julio Nolasco]] professional boxer & Winner of Dominican Republics first ever Olympic medal (bronze), during the 1984 Summer Olympics. Silver medalist at the 83 Pan American Games. Shot and killed in 95.
* [[Arismendy Peguero]] sprinter who specializes in the 400 metres.
* [[Arismendy Peguero]] sprinter who specializes in the 400 metres.
* [[Félix Pie]] center fielder for the [[Hanwha Eagles]]
* [[Félix Pie]] center fielder for the [[Hanwha Eagles]]
* [[Julio César Pimentel]] pitcher for the [[Kansas City Royals]]
* [[Danny Richar]] second baseman for the [[Chicago White Sox]]
* [[Danny Richar]] second baseman for the [[Chicago White Sox]]
* [[Luis Santana (boxer)|Luis Santana]] retired professional boxer
⚫
* [[Rafael Santana]] former MLB shortstop
* [[Julian Yan]] retired professional baseball player
* [[Julian Yan]] retired professional baseball player
* [[Luis Santana]] retired professional boxer
* [[Edison Azcona]] professional footballer who plays for [[Inter Miami CF|Inter Miami]]
⚫
* [[Rafael Santana]] former MLB shortstop
* [[Juan Choilos]] Outfielder for [[Toronto Blue Jays]]
⚫
* [[Fernando Abad]] Major League Baseball pitcher for the [[Boston Red Sox]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{Wikivoyage|La Romana}}
{{Wikivoyage|La Romana}}
{{commons category|La Romana (La Romana)|La Romana}}
{{Commons category|La Romana (La Romana)|La Romana}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


Line 221: Line 231:


{{Municipalities of the Dominican Republic}}
{{Municipalities of the Dominican Republic}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:La Romana, Dominican Republic| ]]
[[Category:La Romana, Dominican Republic| ]]

Latest revision as of 17:35, 17 August 2024

La Romana
Altos de Chavon church in La Romana, Dominican Republic
Altos de Chavon church in La Romana, Dominican Republic
Official seal of La Romana
Seal
La Romana is located in the Dominican Republic
La Romana
La Romana
Coordinates: 18°25′48″N 68°58′12″W / 18.43000°N 68.97000°W / 18.43000; -68.97000
Country Dominican Republic
ProvinceLa Romana Province
Municipality since1897
Area
[1]
 • Total185.52 km2 (71.63 sq mi)
Elevation
[2]
10 m (30 ft)
Population
 (2022 census)[3]
 • Total153,241
 • Density830/km2 (2,100/sq mi)
 • Urban
149,840
 • Metro
270,000 (La Romana-Villa Hermosa conurbation)
 • Demonym
(spanish: Romanense)
Distance to

 – Santo Domingo
120 km
Municipal Districts
1
ClimateAw

La Romana is a municipality and capital of the southeastern province of La Romana, opposite Catalina Island. It is one of the 10 largest cities in the Dominican Republic with a population estimated in 2022 at 153,241 within the city limits (metropolitan population: 270,000), of whom 149,840 are urban and 3,401 are rural. The name Romana comes from the word "Bomana", a name given by Indians to what is known today as Romana River.

The modern La Romana International Airport was opened in 2000. The city is near several other cities, such as San Pedro de Macorís and the national capital, Santo Domingo de Guzmán. The city is a hub for a growing tourist industry with several nearby local resort spots, such as the beachfront Bayahibe, Dominicus, Casa de Campo, and the growing number of golf resorts that surround the area.

History

[edit]

The city of La Romana was officially founded in 1897 as an oil town. After 1917 with the construction of a large sugar-mill the economy quickly shifted to sugar production. The commissioning of the sugar mill coincided with the rise in sugar prices worldwide, prompting the sugar industry to welcome workers from different parts of the country as well as other parts of the Caribbean, many families moved to La Romana for economic opportunities.

In early 1960, Gulf and Western Industries, Inc. purchased the sugar mill and started to invest in the livestock industry which was cemented in the province. Meanwhile, $20 million were invested to rebuild La Romana and build schools, clinics, housing and other infrastructure for workers. During the mid-1970s the American conglomerate began selling its Dominican assets, and at the same time built what is now one of the largest exclusive tourist resorts in the Dominican Republic, Casa de Campo.

Economy

[edit]

La Romana has historically been a company town, with the Central Romana Corporation owning the majority of the town. It is a town with nearly 100% employment, mostly in the tourism industry or with The Central Romana Corporation, the Duty Free Zone (Zona Franca Romana), or one of the service businesses there.

La Romana has been a one-company town since the South Puerto Rico Sugar Company built the mammoth Central Romana mill in 1917. It was the only sugar operation not taken over by Rafael Trujillo during his reign. From 1964 to 1967, the South Puerto Rico Sugar Company, including properties in Florida, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic became part of the conglomerate Gulf+Western. In 1984, the Gulf+Western Corporation sold their stake in the Central Romana Corporation to a group of local and foreign investors which includes the Fanjul brothers.

Gulf+Western acquired Consolidated Cigar in 1968 and shifted the Canary Island cigar-making operation to its Tabacalera de Garcia tobacco plant in La Romana. The Tabacalera de Garcia factory is currently one of the largest cigar factories in the world, and has been owned by the biggest cigar marketing company in the world, Altadis, since 1999. Three world-famous brands are produced in La Romana: Montecristo, H. Upmann, and Romeo y Julieta.

City of La Romana

[edit]

Tourism

[edit]
Altos de Chavón Amphitheater.

Casa de Campo resort complex is the flagship of the La Romana All Inclusive Resorts area. Built in 1975 by Gulf+Western to be the premiere destination in the Caribbean, it has lived up to the hype. In 1984 Casa de Campo was purchased by the Central Romana Corporation which is co-owned by the Fanjul brothers.

Chavon river in La Romana, Dominican Republic.

Altos de Chavón is a reconstruction of a 16th-century Mediterranean village located just minutes from La Romana.

Casa de Campo International Tourist Port (Muelle Turístico Internacional Casa de Campo), located on the West Bank of La Romana River or Rio Dulce, has been utilized primarily for the docking of commercial ships, primarily for the transport of sugar and molasses. Upon exceeding the capacity of its port, the Central Romana Corporation built its new tourism focused port on the east side of the river. The platform on the western bank was renovated and the river channel was dredged to a depth of 10.50 metres (34.4 ft).

Inaugurated with the arrival of the vessel Costa Marina in December 2002, the Central Romana Corporation invested US$12 million to extend the existing port by over 40,000 square metres (430,000 sq ft). The port is a modern platform and harbor terminal, with a capacity for two large modern cruise ships. Today the new facilities boast two docking platforms (East Dock: 255 metres (837 ft) in length, West Dock: 225 metres (738 ft) in length), a 1,000 square metres (11,000 sq ft) passenger terminal and parking facilities which accommodate 24 buses.

La Romana International Airport (IATA: LRM, ICAO: MDLR) is a private commercial airport in the east of the Dominican Republic, serving the resort town of La Romana and the resort of Casa de Campo. It was built in a traditional Dominican style, with open-air terminals.

La Romana airport.

There is a significant number of charter lines and flights to La Romana; this airport registered a large influx of visitors in 2002, making it one of the most visited airports in the Dominican Republic.

It currently ranks fifth in air traffic, behind Punta Cana, Las Américas, Puerto Plata and Santiago. The airport receives many international airlines. The airport has 7 positions in the international terminal and a spacious private aviation terminal where up to 12 private jets can be parked.

Climate

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La Romana has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw) only slightly above a hot semi-arid climate (BSh) due to its shielded location from the northeasterly trade winds.

Climate data for La Romana, Dominican Republic (1961–1990)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 34.8
(94.6) 		33.0
(91.4) 		34.0
(93.2) 		35.0
(95.0) 		35.0
(95.0) 		36.6
(97.9) 		36.8
(98.2) 		37.0
(98.6) 		37.6
(99.7) 		37.7
(99.9) 		34.2
(93.6) 		33.8
(92.8) 		37.7
(99.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 29.7
(85.5) 		30.0
(86.0) 		30.5
(86.9) 		30.9
(87.6) 		31.2
(88.2) 		32.0
(89.6) 		32.7
(90.9) 		32.6
(90.7) 		32.2
(90.0) 		31.8
(89.2) 		30.8
(87.4) 		29.9
(85.8) 		31.2
(88.2)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 19.5
(67.1) 		19.5
(67.1) 		19.8
(67.6) 		20.5
(68.9) 		22.0
(71.6) 		22.9
(73.2) 		23.2
(73.8) 		23.2
(73.8) 		22.9
(73.2) 		22.6
(72.7) 		21.6
(70.9) 		20.2
(68.4) 		21.5
(70.7)
Record low °C (°F) 14.0
(57.2) 		15.0
(59.0) 		15.5
(59.9) 		15.0
(59.0) 		16.9
(62.4) 		20.0
(68.0) 		20.8
(69.4) 		20.8
(69.4) 		19.5
(67.1) 		19.7
(67.5) 		17.4
(63.3) 		15.0
(59.0) 		14.0
(57.2)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 32.7
(1.29) 		27.8
(1.09) 		27.5
(1.08) 		45.2
(1.78) 		91.0
(3.58) 		57.0
(2.24) 		60.9
(2.40) 		105.2
(4.14) 		116.8
(4.60) 		164.6
(6.48) 		96.2
(3.79) 		47.6
(1.87) 		872.5
(34.35)
Average rainy days (≥ 1.0 mm) 4.6 4.3 4.2 5.1 7.4 6.0 6.5 8.1 8.6 9.7 8.3 5.7 78.5
Source: NOAA[4]

Sports

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Estadio Francisco Micheli is home to the Toros del Este, a baseball team in the Dominican Winter League.

In 1983, the government of Salvador Jorge Blanco, through the fund for development of this region, built the Polideportivo de La Romana (La Romana Sports Center), which was named after Eleoncio Mercedes in honor of the flyweight boxer who became world champion. The Cañeros de La Romana, a Dominican basketball team, play their home games here.

Population

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La Romana, Dominican Republic school students.
  • 2022 : 131,828
  • 2010 : 139,671
  • 2022 : 153,241

Notable people

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References

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Wikivoyage has a travel guide for La Romana.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to La Romana.
  1. ^ Superficies a nivel de municipios, Oficina Nacional de Estadistica Archived 2009-04-17 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ De la Fuente, Santiago (1976). Geografía Dominicana (in Spanish). Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Editora Colegial Quisqueyana.
  3. ^ Citypopulation, La Romana
  4. ^ "La Romana Climate Normals 1961-1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
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