Jarabacoa
Jarabacoa | |
|---|---|
 Central Range from Jarabacoa during the summer of 1997 | |
| Country |  Dominican Republic |
| Province | La Vega |
| Area | |
| • Total | 665.88 km2 (257.10 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 529 m (1,736 ft) |
| Population (2012)[3] | |
| • Total | 69,855 |
| • Density | 100/km2 (270/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 32,585 |
| • Demonym | Jarabacoense |
| Distance to – Santo Domingo | 155 km |
| Municipal Districts | 2 |
| Climate | Af |
Jarabacoa is a town and the second largest municipality in La Vega Province, Dominican Republic.
History
Although many historical details are still unknown, it is very possible that the native people of the island inhabited the valley of Jarabacoa. It is assumed that the city's name was formed out of the words 'Jaraba' and 'Coa', meaning "Land of Waters" in the native language.[4] Some say that the Spanish conquistadors actually made it to Jarabacoa in their search for gold, but later abandoned the expedition. Some reasons include, resistance by the natives or as some say, because no large finds were ever made, although to this day gold can be washed from some of the many rivers.[5] Jarabacoa most likely belonged to the Chiefdom of Maguana making it part of the kingdom of Cibao. Necessary archaeological work has yet to take place, but it can be assumed that the natives lived in the area long before the arrival of Christopher Columbus.[6] It wasn't until 1805 that the area began being re-populated, during the Haitian invasion of the Cibao, when survivors from the massacres of Santiago de los Caballeros and La Vega escaped to the mountains of the Central Range and settled in the valley of Jarabacoa. In 1854, a military post was established and the town was formally founded. On September 27, 1858 the town was incorporated as a municipality.
Geography and climate
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Jarabacoa has a Tropical rainforest climate (Köppen climate classification Af ). Due to its tropical location and high elevation (about 525m above sea level), it has warm days and mild nights during most of the year, and temperate days and cool nights during a few winter months. Because of its mild temperatures, visitors have christened Jarabacoa as "The City of Everlasting Spring."
One of the main touristic attractions is the mountains and natural beauty of the area due to its location in the center of the Central Range. It is also one of the main access to the Pico Duarte and the Ebano Verde Scientific Reserve. Jarabacoa has three large rivers, Baiguate, Jimenoa and the Yaque del Norte, the last two merge in the Confluencia, continuing on as the Yaque del Norte, the second largest river in the country.
The coldest temperature ever recorded was 7.1 °C (44.8 °F), on 24 February 2012.[7]
| Climate data for Jarabacoa (1971-2000) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 34.4 (93.9) |
36.1 (97.0) |
35.6 (96.1) |
34.4 (93.9) |
35.0 (95.0) |
37.8 (100.0) |
38.3 (100.9) |
36.0 (96.8) |
36.0 (96.8) |
34.0 (93.2) |
33.0 (91.4) |
30.0 (86.0) |
38.3 (100.9) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 25.4 (77.7) |
26.0 (78.8) |
27.0 (80.6) |
27.6 (81.7) |
28.3 (82.9) |
29.8 (85.6) |
29.9 (85.8) |
30.0 (86.0) |
29.8 (85.6) |
29.0 (84.2) |
26.8 (80.2) |
25.3 (77.5) |
27.9 (82.2) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 20.0 (68.0) |
20.5 (68.9) |
21.3 (70.3) |
22.1 (71.8) |
23.0 (73.4) |
23.9 (75.0) |
24.0 (75.2) |
24.1 (75.4) |
23.9 (75.0) |
23.4 (74.1) |
22.0 (71.6) |
20.5 (68.9) |
22.4 (72.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 14.6 (58.3) |
14.9 (58.8) |
15.6 (60.1) |
16.6 (61.9) |
17.6 (63.7) |
17.9 (64.2) |
18.1 (64.6) |
18.2 (64.8) |
17.9 (64.2) |
17.7 (63.9) |
17.0 (62.6) |
15.6 (60.1) |
16.8 (62.3) |
| Record low °C (°F) | — | 7.1 (44.8) |
— | 9.0 (48.2) |
— | — | — | 12.4 (54.3) |
— | — | — | — | 7.1 (44.8) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 130.6 (5.14) |
110.8 (4.36) |
112.3 (4.42) |
163.3 (6.43) |
210.7 (8.30) |
88.4 (3.48) |
89.4 (3.52) |
155.5 (6.12) |
137.2 (5.40) |
158.6 (6.24) |
194.2 (7.65) |
153.9 (6.06) |
1,704.9 (67.12) |
| Average rainy days | 11 | — | — | — | 14 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 13 | — | — | — |
| Source 1: National Bureau of Meteorology (ONAMET) [8] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Acqweather.com [9] | |||||||||||||
Economy
The local economy is based upon agriculture. It is known for its strawberries, coffee, pimento and ají pepper, the last two being grown in green houses. Jarabacoa it is also known for its wide variety of flowers.
Places of Interest
- The forestry college "Universidad Agroforestal Fernando Arturo de Marino" http://uafam.edu.do/
- Colegio Salesiano, a salesian school with soccer and baseball fields, volleyball and basketball courts, academy, parroquial school, retreat center, medical dispensary.
- Monasterio de Santa María del Evangelio, Cistercian Monastery.
- Jimenoa Waterfalls, Baiguate Waterfall, Constanza Valley, Ébano Verde Scientific Reserve.
- Wooden footbridge over the Jimenoa river, impressive rope and wood construction. Crossing is recommended for those who enjoy extreme sports.
- Jarabacoa Mountain Village.
- Jamaca De Dios, restaurant and housing development.
- Jarabacoa Golf Club, 9-hole golf course.
- Escuela Caribe, The facility shown in "Kidnapped for Christ".
Culture
The local Carnaval in February is one of the most famous in the country. On July 16 is celebrated the day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Every June, "Festival de las Flores" is held in Jarabacoa with many local vendors selling flowers, flowering plants and orchids, as well as hand-made crafts.
Top Persons
- José Núñez (right-handed pitcher)
Education
On January 10, 1997, opened the Universidad Agroforestal Fernando Arturo de Meriño, a small college that mainly offers majors related to agriculture and ecology. There is also the Eugenio de Jesús Marcano Ecological Centre.
References
- ^ Superficies a nivel de municipios, Oficina Nacional de Estadistica
- ^ De la Fuente, Santiago (1976). Geografía Dominicana (in Spanish). Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Editora Colegial Quisqueyana.
- ^ Censo 2012 de Población y Vivienda, [one.gob.do/ Oficina Nacional de Estadistica]
- ^ "El Nombre -- Historia de Jarabacoa".
- ^ "La Maldicion del Oro en Jarabacoa".
- ^ "Tainos en Jarabaoca". Archived from the original on September 4, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Template:Es icon Resumen Agrometeorológico del Mes de Febrero 2012, Departamento de Meteorología Operativa, Departamento de Agrometeorología—Oficina Nacional de Meteorología. Retrieved on 18 July 2012.
- ^ "Pronóstico Turístico".
- ^ http://acqweather.com/turismo.htm Accessdate: May 12, 2011.
External links
Media related to Jarabacoa at Wikimedia Commons
19°07′N 70°38′W / 19.117°N 70.633°W