SANTIAGO

Bartholomew Columbus founded the settlement on the banks
of the Yaque River in 1495. It is the most important city after
Santo Domingo, and is the principal urban center for the fertile
Cibao agricultural region, known for some of the finest tobacco in
the world.

Santiago's new cultural center rivals that of the capital, while its
Universidad Cat�lica Madre y Maestra stands as one of the
country's finest universities. Santiago is the cradle of the
Merengue, the national rhythm that has put us on the map! This
gracious city has also given the nation its greatest number of
presidents.

The Monument of the Heroes of the Restoration is a proud
landmark, visible throughout the city. 67 meters high, it contains
murals by the Spanish artist Vela Zanetti.

Another highlight, is the Tom�s Morel Museum of Folkloric Art with its colorful collection of
carnival masks.