Bonao
| Bonao | |
|---|---|
  Bonao | |
| Coordinates: 18°57′0″N 70°24′36″W / 18.95000°N 70.41000°W | |
| Country |
 Dominican Republic |
| Province | Monseñor Nouel |
| Founded | 1495 |
| Municipality since | 1865 |
| Area[1] | |
| • Total | 664.37 km2 (256.51 sq mi) |
| Elevation[2] | 173 m (568 ft) |
| Population (2012)[3] | |
| • Total | 158,034 |
| • Density | 240/km2 (620/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 60,044 |
| Distance to – Santo Domingo |
85 km |
| Municipal Districts |
5 |
| Climate | Af |
Bonao is the capital of Monseñor Nouel province, Dominican Republic. It is located in the center of the country, to the northwest of the national capital Santo Domingo.
The city is known as "Villa De Las Hortensias" - the town of hydrangeas. The Hortensia is the local flower of Bonao.
International companies
One of the biggest international companies operating in Bonao is Falcondo, part of the multinational company Falconbridge Ltd. Falcondo is a strip mining operation that extracts the nickel contained in ferronickel. The other major international company is Hanesbrands Inc, formerly part of Sara Lee Corporation. Hanesbrands operates a textile plant in the Dos Rios Zona Franca, producing cut parts for knit apparel.
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Falcondoite, a rare nickel-oxide mineral, whose type locality is the Falconbridge mine in Bonao. Size: 6.5 x 4.5 x 1.5 cm.
Local scene
Motorcycles (especially mini-bikes and scooters also known as 'PASOLA') are the most common form of transportation in the city. There are also taxi and car rental services available. DR-1 (Autopista Duarte) bypasses the city to the east.
A popular annual attraction is the Carnival. Groups that parade in the Carnival start out in "caves" (typically a blocked-off street) where loud music is played. Costumes are often slightly demonic in nature. During Carnival season, there is often a concert in the town square (El Parque Duarte), on Saturday night.
In the centre of the city is Plaza de la Cultura, where you can find the Candido Bido museum, as well as a cultural learning centre for mainly kids and young adults. The plaza is decorated by different Dominican artists.
The two main hotels are Aquarius and the less expensive Jacaranda Hotel. In addition to the restaurants at the hotels, the Tipico Bonao is one of the best known restaurants nationwide between Santo Domingo and Santiago. A popular bar is the A-B-Ber Liquor Store.
People from Bonao
Major League Baseball pitcher Carlos Mármol is from Bonao. Also the singer and music composer, Hector Acosta 'El Torito', is proudly one of the icons of the country. Nelson de la Hoya is another icon in the musical history of Bonao. Luis Días, composer of the popular song "Baile en la Calle" was born in Bonao. Toronto Blue Jays third basemen Juan Francisco "Baby Huey" is from Bonao.
References
- ↑ Superficies a nivel de municipios, Oficina Nacional de Estadistica
- ↑ De la Fuente, Santiago (1976). Geografía Dominicana (in Spanish). Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Editora Colegial Quisqueyana.
- ↑ Censo 2012 de Población y Vivienda, Oficina Nacional de Estadistica
Coordinates: 18°57′0″N 70°24′36″W / 18.95000°N 70.41000°W
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