Constanza, Dominican Republic

History

The name of Constanza has its origin in the legend the daughter of a local taino cacique who lived in the valley. In 1852, the British explorer and consul Sir Robert Hermann Schomburgk mentions the existence of a farm in the valley of Constanza. The town was formally founded in 1894. It has been incorporated into a municipality in the La Vega province on September 9, 1907.

On June 14, 1959 a plane landed in an airstrip with more than forty rebels with the purpose of deposing the dictator Rafael Trujillo. They fought guerrillas in the nearby mountains, and after two months against the Dominican Army managed to end the rebellion.

Geography

Constanza is located at a height of 1220 meters (4000 ft) in the middle of the Cordillera Central (Central Range). Annual average temperatures range from 41 °F (5 °C) to 68 °F (20 °C), depending on altitude. The valley is 8 km long and 4 km wide.

Climate

Constanza has an oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification Cfb), with moderately warm and humid summers, and dry and mild winters, due to its tropical location and high elevation. The average annual temperature varies from less than 10 °C in highlands to 18 °C in town.
In summer, temperatures range between 25 °C to 27 °C during the day, and between 12 °C to 15 °C at night. Wildfires are relatively common.
In winter, the temperatures are between 21 and 24 °C at day, and 8 to 12 °C at night. Fog is quite common. The last time that Constanza had freezing temperatures was on 1958; while in Valle Nuevo freezes are usual. Snow can fall in the highest peaks of Valle Nuevo, but it is becoming a rare event and accumulation almost no longer occurs.

The highest temperature ever recorded in town was 32.5 °C, on October 3, 1957. The coldest temperature was –1 °C, recorded on February 6, 1958.

Economy

The local economy is based upon agriculture. It is known for its strawberries, peaches, apples, garlic and potatoes people go there to take the fruits to feed their family . Constanza is also known for its wide variety of flowers, especially its roses.

Tourism

Constanza is known for its remarkable mountain climate despite being located in a tropical island. Local tourism is very often during winter time. Throughout the rest of the year it is visited because of its closeness to the scientific reserve of Ebano Verde and also to have the nearest route to the Pico Duarte, the highest point in the Caribbean.

Ecology

The nearby scientific reserve of Ebano Verde is the stronghold of the widest variety of flora and fauna of Hispaniola. The mountains surrounding the valley of Constanza are covered in Hispaniolan pine (Pinus occidentalis) forests. Typical fauna seen in the area includes the Hispaniolan palm crow, Antillean siskin, rufous-throated solitaire, Hispaniolan crossbill (abundance directly related to pine cone crop), and Hispaniolan trogon, while at lower elevations the Hispaniolan parrot, scaly-naped pigeon and golden swallow can be seen.

Transportation

The town can be reached either by local airlines through the Constanza Airport or through local bus companies.

Demographics

Constanza is home to an unusual combination of ethnic groups, having been an area settled by numerous Spanish and Japanese immigrant workers encouraged to come to the Dominican Republic during the infamous dictatorship of Trujillo. Now some two or three generations on their presence is still substantial in the area. They were attracted by the cooler climate that goes on all year round.