La Romana, La Romana
| La Romana | ||
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La Romana (2010)
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 La Romana
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| Coordinates: 18°25′48″N 68°58′12″W / 18.43000°N 68.97000°W | ||
| Country |
 Dominican Republic
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| Province | La Romana Province | |
| Municipality since | 1897 | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 185.52 km2 (71.63 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 10 m (30 ft) | |
| Population (December 2010 −IX Census) | ||
| • Total | 130,426 | |
| • Density | 700/km2 (1,800/sq mi) | |
| • Urban | 127,623 | |
| • Metro | 250,000 (La Romana-Villa Hermosa conurbation) | |
| • Demonym | (spanish: Romanense) | |
| Distance to – Santo Domingo |
120 km |
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| Municipal Districts |
1 |
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| Climate | Aw | |
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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 population: 214,109), of whom 127,623 are urban and 2,803 are rural. The city is capital of the southeastern province of La Romana, opposite Catalina Island. The name Romana comes from a balance that was used to weigh merchandise for export. Santa Rosa de Lima is the patron saint of La Romana.
The modern La Romana International Airport was opened in 1999. 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.
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 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 interior moved to La Romana in search of a better life.
In early 1960, Gulf and Western Industries, Inc. purchased the sugar mill and started to invest in the 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.
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Wikipedia