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La Romana (city)
Encyclopedia
La Romana is the third-largest city in the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
with a population estimated in 2005 at 250,000. The city is capital of the southeastern province of La Romana, opposite Catalina Island
Catalina Island, Dominican Republic
Catalina Island or Isla Catalina is a tropical island located 1.5 miles from the mainland on the south-east corner of the Dominican Republic, near La Altagracia and La Romana. It is an occasional destination for cruise ships on Caribbean routes. In particular, Costa Cruises has a private beach on...
. The name Romana comes from a balance that was used to weigh merchandise for export. Santa Rosa de Lima
Rose of Lima
Rose of Lima, , the first Catholic saint of the Americas, was born in Lima, Peru.-Biography:Saint Rose of Lima was born in the city of that name, the daughter of Gaspar Flores, a harquebusier from San German, Puerto Rico, and his wife, Maria de Oliva, who was a native of Lima. She was part of a...
is the patron saint of La Romana.
The modern La Romana International Airport
La Romana International Airport
La Romana International Airport is located on the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, adjacent to the tourist town of La Romana and the resort of Casa de Campo. The airport, which opened in December 2000, is about 68 miles from the capital, Santo Domingo...
was opened in 2000. The city is near several other cities, such as San Pedro de Macorís
San Pedro de Macorís
San Pedro de Macorís is a municipality and the capital of the San Pedro de Macorís province in the Dominican Republic.-Demographics:...
and the national capital, Santo Domingo de Guzmán
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
. The city is a hub for a growing tourist industry with several nearby local resort spots, such as the beachfront Bayahibe
Bayahibe
Bayahibe is a town in the Dominican Republic, located about 10 miles east of La Romana on the shore of the Caribbean Sea. Founded as a fishing village in 1874 by Juan Brito and his family, who came from Puerto Rico, the town is now a touristic destination....
, Dominicus, Casa de Campo, and the growing number of golf resorts that surround the area.
Tourism
La Romana has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country because of the beautiful beaches and the tourism infrastructure that has been put in place.Casa de Campo
Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic
In 1975 Gulf+Western developed of its Central Romana sugar mill's land into the Casa de Campo resort. Situated in La Romana on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic, Casa de Campo is a Ponderosa-style, tropical seaside resort.The first to enjoy the luxuries of this enclave were friends of...
: 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. The resort houses 3 championship golf courses, one of them being the famous "Teeth of The Dog" which is ranked 25th in the world. The Casa de Campo resort also houses its own polo fields and a private airstrip. In 1984 Casa de Campo was purchased by the Central Romana Corporation which is co-owned by The Fanjul Brothers
The Fanjul Brothers
The Fanjul brothers — Alfonso "Alfy" Fanjul, José "Pepe" Fanjul, Alexander Fanjul, and Andres Fanjul — are owners of Fanjul Corp., a vast sugar and real estate conglomerate in the United States and Dominican Republic, comprising the subsidiaries Domino Sugar, , C&H Sugar, Redpath Sugar, Tate & Lyle...
.
Altos de Chavón
Altos de Chavón
The biggest attraction in La Romana, Dominican Republic, is Altos de Chavón, a re-creation of a medieval European village conceived from the imagination of Roberto Copa, a former Paramount Studios set designer, and Charles Bluhdorn....
: it is a replica of a 16th century Mediterranean village located just minutes from La Romana. Here you’ll find artists’ studios, craft-shops, galleries, restaurants and bars to satisfy all types of visitors. Take in a show at their 5000 seat amphitheater that still attracts big name artists. Altos de Chavón is one of those must-visit locations on a trip to La Romana All Inclusive Resorts.
Casa de Campo International Tourist Port (Muelle Turístico Internacional Casa de Campo)
Central Romana Port
Central Romana Port is located in Chavon River, La Romana, Dominican Republic, and belong to Central Romana Corporation which is a private company established in 1911 and has the largest sugar mill I the country.-Overview:...
:
Over the last century, The Port of La Romana (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 10.5 metres (34.4 ft).
Inaugurated with the arrival of the vessel Costa Marina
Costa Marina
MS Costa Marina is a cruise ship owned and operated by the Italy-based Costa Cruises. She was built in 1969 by the Wärtsilä Turku Shipyard in Turku, Finland as the container ship MS Axel Johnson for the Sweden-based Rederi AB Nordstjernan...
on December 2002, the Central Romana Corporation invested US$12 million to extend the existing port by over 40000 square metres (430,556.4 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 (836.6 ft) in length, West Dock: 225 metres (738.2 ft) in length), a 1000 square metres (10,763.9 sq ft) passenger terminal and parking facilities which accommodate 24 buses.
Economic Development
La Romana is not a typical Dominican town; instead, it is a company townCompany town
A company town is a town or city in which much or all real estate, buildings , utilities, hospitals, small businesses such as grocery stores and gas stations, and other necessities or luxuries of life within its borders are owned by a single company...
, with the Central Romana Corporation owning the majority of the town. It is a town with nearly 100% employment
Employment
Employment is a contract between two parties, one being the employer and the other being the employee. An employee may be defined as:- Employee :...
, mostly in the tourism
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
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
Gulf+Western
Gulf and Western Industries, Inc., for a number of years known as Gulf+Western, was an American conglomerate.- History :Gulf and Western's prosaic origins date to a manufacturer named Michigan Bumper Co. founded in 1934, though Charles Bluhdorn treated his 1958 takeover of what was then Michigan...
. 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
The Fanjul Brothers
The Fanjul brothers — Alfonso "Alfy" Fanjul, José "Pepe" Fanjul, Alexander Fanjul, and Andres Fanjul — are owners of Fanjul Corp., a vast sugar and real estate conglomerate in the United States and Dominican Republic, comprising the subsidiaries Domino Sugar, , C&H Sugar, Redpath Sugar, Tate & Lyle...
.
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
Altadis
Altadis is a multinational purveyor and manufacturer of cigarettes, tobacco and cigars. Altadis was formed via a 1999 merger between Tabacalera, the former Spanish tobacco monopoly and SEITA, the former French tobacco monopoly...
, since 1999. Three world famous brands are produced in La Romana: Montecristo
Montecristo (cigar brand)
Montecristo is the name of two brands of premium cigars, one produced in Cuba for Habanos SA, the Cuban state-owned tobacco company, and the other produced in La Romana, Dominican Republic for the Franco-Spanish tobacco monopoly Altadis SA.- History :...
, H. Upmann, and Romeo y Julieta
Romeo y Julieta (cigar brand)
Romeo y Julieta is the name of two brands of premium cigar, one produced on the island of Cuba for Habanos SA, the Cuban state-owned tobacco company, and the other produced in La Romana, Dominican Republic for Altadis SA. -History:...
.
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 La Vega
Concepción de La Vega
La Vega, or Concepción de La Vega is the largest city and municipality of the central Dominican Republic and the third of the whole country...
or Seibo
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Santa Cruz del Seibo is a city in the El Seibo province of the Dominican Republic.-History:The El Seibo municipality is located in the eastern part of the country...
, which are more typical Dominican towns.
Sports
Estadio Francisco MicheliEstadio Francisco Micheli
Estadio Francisco Micheli is a private multipurpose stadium dedicated mainly to the sport of baseball. Located in the city of La Romana, with a capacity for about 10,000 people, is the home of the Dominican professional team, the Toros del Este...
is home to the Toros del Este, a baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
team in the Dominican Winter League.
In 1983, the government of Salvador Jorge Blanco
Salvador Jorge Blanco
José Salvador Omar Jorge Blanco was a politician, lawyer and a writer. He was the 48th President of the Dominican Republic, from 1982 –1986. He was a Senator running for the PRD party...
, through the fund for development of this region, built the Polideportivo de La Romana (La Romana Sports Center), which was named after Eleoncio Mercedes
Eleoncio Mercedes
Eleoncio Mercedes was a Dominican boxer, who was world champion in the Flyweight division.-Amateur career:As an amateur he competed for his native country at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada...
in honor of the flyweight boxer who became world champion. The Cañeros de La Romana, a Dominican basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team, play their home games here and are currently the defending champions of the Dominican Basketball League.
Notable residents
- Ramon Rijo A.K.A "MONCHY" Singer, Musician, Songwriter and Musical Producer Monchy y AlexandraMonchy y AlexandraMonchy y Alexandra were a bachata musical group from the Dominican Republic. They sang together as a duo beginning in 1999. Their first big hit was "Hoja en Blanco", which they released in 1999. Since then, they had many other hits, such as "Hasta El Fin" and "Perdidos", both from their 2004...
- Antonio AlfonsecaAntonio AlfonsecaAntonio Alfonseca is a relief pitcher for the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He last pitched in Major League Baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies, and is also known for having an extra digit on each hand and foot. Alfonseca has also played for the Florida...
pitched for the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League... - Juana ArrendelJuana ArrendelJuana Rosario Arrendel is a female high jumper from the Dominican Republic.Arrendel originally won the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, but lost the gold medal after testing positive for stanozolol. In 2006 she became the sixth woman to win three Central American and Caribbean Games titles in...
high jumper - Andújar CedeñoAndújar CedeñoAndújar Cedeño Donastorg was a Major League Baseball shortstop from to . Born in La Romana, Dominican Republic, he played for the Houston Astros from 1990 to , the San Diego Padres in , and in 1996 played for the Padres, Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros again.He hit for the cycle in and was a...
former MLB shortstop - Domingo CedeñoDomingo CedeñoDomingo Antonio Cedeño Donastorg is a former infielder in Major League Baseball. Cedeño spent parts of seven seasons in the majors from to with the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, and Philadelphia Phillies.Cedeño is the older brother of the late Andújar...
former infielder in Major League Baseball - Juan Alberto Cirez - (March 3, 1970) one of the developers behind Storm Linux (a LinuxLinuxLinux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
DistroLinux distributionA Linux distribution is a member of the family of Unix-like operating systems built on top of the Linux kernel. Such distributions are operating systems including a large collection of software applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, media players, and database applications...
) and Stomix TechnologiesStormixStormix was a company that debuted its Debian-based Linux distribution with "Storm Linux 2000" in late 1999. Headquartered in the Harbour Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Stormix was an off-shoot of NetNation Communications, at the time, one of the top-ten web hosting companies... - Fredy Deza pitcher for the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
- Edwin EncarnaciónEdwin EncarnaciónEdwin Elpidio Encarnación , is a Dominican Republic Major League Baseball utility player with the Toronto Blue Jays. The 6 ft 2 in, 235-pound Encarnación bats and throws right-handed....
third baseman for the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League .... - Freddy García a retired Major League Baseball infielder
- Kelly Horford retired professional basketball player
- Tito HorfordTito HorfordTito Horford is a retired Dominican professional basketball player who was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2nd round of the 1988 NBA Draft. Horford played three years in the NBA, two with the Bucks from 1988–1990, and a short stint with the Washington Bullets during the 1993-94 season...
retired professional basketball player - Luis Ernesto JoséLuis Ernesto JoséLuis Ernesto José is a lightweight boxer from the Dominican Republic, who won a bronze medal at the 1995 Pan American Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina...
lightweight boxer - Eleoncio MercedesEleoncio MercedesEleoncio Mercedes was a Dominican boxer, who was world champion in the Flyweight division.-Amateur career:As an amateur he competed for his native country at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada...
former world champion boxer in the Flyweight division. - John NolascoJohn NolascoJohn Nolasco Hughes is a featherweight boxer from the Dominican Republic, who won the bronze medal at the 1995 Pan American Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina. A year later he represented his native country at the 1996 Summer Olympics. Nolasco made his professional debut on March 17,...
featherweight boxer - Pedro NolascoPedro NolascoPedro Nolasco was a Dominican boxer, who won the bronze medal in the men's bantamweight category at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, United States....
retired boxer - Arismendy PegueroArismendy PegueroArismendy Peguero Thicket is a sprinter from the Dominican Republic who specializes in the 400 metres. He was born in La Romana....
sprinter who specializes in the 400 metres. - Félix PieFelix PieFélix Pie is a Dominican professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has previously played for the Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles.-Minor league career:...
center fielder for the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league... - Julio Cesar PimentelJulio Cesar PimentelJulio César Pimentel is a professional baseball pitcher.Pimentel was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 14, ....
pitcher for the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City RoyalsThe Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium... - Danny RicharDanny RicharDanny Adam Richar is a second baseman in the Camden Riversharks organization of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball....
second baseman for the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans... - Julian Yan veteran first baseman (retired)
- Luis SantanaLuis SantanaLuis Santana , was a professional boxer in the super welterweight division.Santana turned pro in 1981 and challenged Simon Brown for the IBF Welterweight Titlein 1989, but lost a unanimous decision....
retired professional boxer - Rafael SantanaRafael SantanaRafael Francisco Santana de la Cruz is a former Major League Baseball shortstop who won a World Series ring with the 1986 New York Mets. He currently serves as the Dominican Republic scouting and player development supervisor for the Chicago White Sox.-St...
former Major League Baseball shortstop