Bonao

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Bonao
Bonao is located in the Dominican Republic
Bonao
Bonao
Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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.

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 costumed reveler during the 2006 carnival in Bonao.

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

  1. Superficies a nivel de municipios, Oficina Nacional de Estadistica
  2. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. Censo 2012 de Población y Vivienda, Oficina Nacional de Estadistica

Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.