SANTO DOMINGO,
the capital of the republic of the same
name, in the island of Haiti, West Indies. Pop. about 25,000.
It is situated on the S. coast, at the mouth of the river Ozama.
Founded in 1496, it is the oldest existing settlement of white
men in the New World, and perhaps the most perfect example
of a Spanish colonial town of the 16th century. It is surrounded
by ancient walls with bastions. The streets are straight, narrow,
and intersect at right angles. The massive houses are built
of stone with coloured walls pierced with huge doors and windows.
The cathedral, in the Spanish Renaissance style, dates from
1512, and contains the reputed tomb of
Columbus
(
q.v.
). The
cell in which he and his brother were confined by order of
Bobadilla is still shown in the old fortress. The city is the seat
of an archbishop. It has a small and rather poor harbour, but
the river is navigable for 4 m. from its mouth. The climate is
healthy and cool.