The National Office of Statistics (ONE) reports that by year 2000 there will be 8.5 million people living in the DR. This is 200,000 more people than in 1999. According to ONE, the National District (Santo Domingo and environs) will have a population of 2,599,000 people by year 2000. Population statistics for year 2000 for the provinces are as follows: Santiago 816,675 San Cristóbal, 519,906 La Vega 390,315 Duarte (San Francisco de Macorís) 318,151 Puerto Plata 320,799 San Juan de la Maguana 265,561 San Pedro de Macorís 260,629 Azua 243,157 Espaillat 228,173 Peravia (Baní) 223,273 La Romana 213,628 Sánchez Ramírez (Cotuí) 194,283 Barahona 179,945 Monseñor Nouel (Bonao)174,923 Monte Plata 174,125 Maria Trinidad Sánchez 142,030 La Altagracia 128,628 Bahoruco 124,519 Salcedo 106,449 El Seibo 105,447 Monte Cristi 103,710 Hato Mayor 87,595 Samaná 82,135 Dajabón 78,045 Elías Piña 66,267 Santiago Rodríguez 65,853 Independencia 41,778 Mao, Valverde 19,979 Pedernales 19,698
