There are 31 provinces in the Dominican Republic, and some of them have names that are easy to understand, such as Duarte, for one of the Founding Fathers, Juan Pablo Duarte, or Valverde, or Espaillat, the names of former Presidents back in the 19th Century. Maria Trinidad Sanchez (Nagua) was a political martyr in 1845, and Azua was the name of a Taino chief.
Historically speaking, Santo Domingo was the name of the capital ever since Bartolome Colón founded it way back in 1498, to honor the founder of the Dominican religious order. In the 1930s, 40s, and 50s it was called Trujillo City, for obvious reasons.
The religious theme is also present in the province of La Altagracia, named in honor of the Patroness of the Nation, Our Lady of High Grace. It was formerly a part of El Seibo province.
Barahona was named after a Spanish colonial official. Like many provinces during the Trujillo years, it was named for a Trujillo family member.
Dajabon is named for the river that passes through it, called Dahaboon by the Taino Indians.
Elias Piña is interesting. It was called Comendador until 1907, then Estrelleta to commemorate a battle during the strife with Haiti and Dominican independence, and finally Elias Piña to honor a military official famous during the wars of Independence.
Hermanas Mirabal used to be called Salcedo in honor of General Francisco Antonio (Tito) Salcedo, the hero of the Battle at Beller during the wars with Haiti. Obviously, the Mirabal Sisters, victims of the Trujillo dictatorship, and the motivation for the campaign against violence, were recognized with the designation of the province where they lived.
To be continued.
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Diario Libre
19 May 2025