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The Province of Puerto Plata is located in the north of the island of Santo Domingo. To the north, it borders the Atlantic Ocean, which has earned it the nickname “The Bride of the Atlantic.
Puerto Plata, located on the north coast of the island of Santo Domingo, is a place with a rich history dating back to the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus in 1493. Columbus named the nearby mountain “Monte de Plata” due to the clouds that made it appear silver, which gave rise to the name of the city.
Officially founded in 1502, Puerto Plata has witnessed various historical events, including the construction of the impressive San Felipe Fortress in the 16th century. Over the years, this city has evolved into an important port and an attractive tourist destination, with improvements in its infrastructure, the restoration of historical monuments, and significant growth in the tourism industry.
In 1974, Puerto Plata was designated as a tourist hub due to its coastal features and rich history. Since then, projects have been carried out to revitalize the historic center, such as the construction of the boardwalk, the restoration of the San Felipe Apostle Church, and the implementation of a cable car that takes visitors to Loma Isabel de Torres. These efforts have contributed to making Puerto Plata a place that combines its rich historical heritage with a vibrant and modern tourist experience.
The province of Puerto Plata is part of the Cibao Region, located in the north of the country, and covers an area of 1,821.03 square kilometers. Politically, it is divided into 9 municipalities: Puerto Plata, which functions as the provincial capital, as well as Altamira, Guananico, Imbert, Los Hidalgos, Luperón, Sosúa, Villa Isabela, and Villa Montellano.
According to the 2010 National Population and Housing Census, the population of the province reaches 321,597 inhabitants, with a population density of 176.60 inhabitants per square kilometer.
The natural landscape of Puerto Plata is extremely diverse, ranging from dry forests to dense broadleaf forests. According to a 2003 Land Use and Coverage Study by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the forest cover of the province occupied 34% of its total area, mainly composed of broadleaf forests (32%) and dry forests (2%).
Puerto Plata stands out for its rich biodiversity, reflected in the numerous protected areas within its territory. There are 10 protected areas, both terrestrial and marine, that are part of the National System of Protected Areas, covering approximately 9.46% of the provincial surface.
The terrain of Puerto Plata varies significantly, with 53% of the soils having slopes of 0 to 16%, corresponding to flat to slightly undulating terrain. 32% of the province has slopes of 16 to 32%, characterized by strongly undulating terrain, while the remaining 15% shows slopes ranging from 32 to over 64%, presenting steep and very steep reliefs.
According to a 1967 study by the Organization of American States (OAS), seven classes of soil productive capacity are identified in Puerto Plata, from Class II to Class VIII. Classes VI, VII, and VIII, which cover more than 69% of the province, are soils not suitable for cultivation and are designated for uses such as forestry and protected natural areas due to their steep slopes and rockiness. On the other hand, 16% of the soils belong to Classes II, III, and IV, considered cultivable with certain conservation practices, while 14% corresponds to Class V, suitable for pastures and rice cultivation due to drainage limitations.
Agricultural activity occupies 52% of the total area, including perennial crops, mixed agriculture, sugar cane, pasture, cocoa, and coffee.
According to the 2012 Land Use and Coverage Study, forest cover encompasses 37.88% of the provincial surface, divided into dry forests (5.34%) and broadleaf forests (31.96%). The area dedicated to agriculture, including permanent and annual crops, as well as pastures, covers 1,083.23 square kilometers.
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