city, northern Dominican Republic. It is situated on the Yaque del Norte River, in the heart of the fertile Cibao Valley, and is known as the capital of the Cibao region. It is the country's second largest city and is more traditional than the national capital, Santo Domingo. Whether founded in 1494 by Christopher Columbus (as some historians claim) or in 1495 by his brother Bartholomew, Santiago was among the first European settlements in America. In 1504, 30 caballeros (gentlemen) of the Order of St. James (Santiago) moved from nearby La Isabela to Santiago, henceforth known as Santiago de los Caballeros. After being destroyed by an earthquake in 1562, the city was rebuilt a few miles away, where Nibaje Stream meets the Yaque; ruins of the old city are still visible in the district of San Francisco de Jacagua. Santiago survived numerous earthquakes and fires to serve repeatedly as the republic's capital.

Notable landmarks include the San Luis Fort, the Pontificia Católica Madre y Maestra University (1962), various palaces, and the Cathedral of Santiago el Mayor situated opposite the city park (Parque Duarte). A technological university was founded in 1974.

The city's economy depends mainly on the production of cigarettes, rum, furniture, pharmaceuticals, soaps, leather articles, and processed foods, including cacao, milled rice, and dairy produce. Santiago is on the main highway linking Santo Domingo (85 miles 【137 km】 southeast) with Monte Cristi in the extreme northwest. Pop. (2002) urban area, 507,418.