Dominican Republic Guide
The Cibao
Santiago
Founded in 1504 as a mining town and demolished by an earthquake in 1562, SANTIAGO has been associated with tobacco since 1697, when local farmers began producing it for the French colony on the west side of the island. The city is also the home of merengue périco ripao – the classic Dominican music using accordion, tambora and güira. Today the Domincan Republic's second city is a growing metropolis that seems less and less provincial, though its economy is still based on its status as an agricultural depot and centre for the cigar industry. There's a good club scene based mostly around the indigenous music, so you won't lack for fun at nights. During the day, downtown Santiago supplies enough cultural diversions to merit a full day or two of ambling about.
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