SOSUA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Sosua is located on the North Coast (Atlantic Ocean) of the Dominican Republic, about 20 kms east of Puerto Plata. About a 3 ½ hrs flight from JFK/Newark and 1½ hrs from Miami, it is a popular tourist destination with a beautiful bay and sandy beaches great for sunbathing and swimming and just off-shore, coral reefs abundant in tropical marine life, a great spot for scuba diving enthusiasts.
A BIT OF HISTORY … .
The history of Sosua begins in 1938 when the Dominican government accorded visas to Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution. In 1939, the newly founded Dominican Republic Settlement Association (DORSA) acquired the land held by the United Fruit Company in the north of the country and in 1940 the first refugees arrived and settled on that land, followed by many others in the next few years. After 1945 many left the island for the United States, Mexico or Europe but some remained and prospered. Modern day Sosua is a quaint little town steeped in history and a mixture of different cultures whose roots are still evident in the Jewish community which includes members of the original refugee families, a synagogue and museum.
THE COUNTRY
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Location
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Eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti. |
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Population:
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Close to 8,000,00 |
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Climate:
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Tropical maritime / average mid-day temperature year round 32 C° |
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Geography:
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Ranges from semi-desert plains to fertile verdant valleys and tropical rain forests. |
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Coastline:
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1,288 km including 300 km of prime soft sand beaches. |
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Elevation Extremes:
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Lowest point: Lago Enriquillo 46 meters below sea level.
Highest point: Pico Duarte 3,175 meters.
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National Plant:
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Caoba (Mahogany) |
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National Bird:
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The green Cotica parrot (protected species) |
Similar to other islands in the Caribbean, there are no large wild animals, no poisonous snakes, no insects or spiders whose bite or sting is life-threatening to humans.
Many tourists come to our island initially attracted by our magnificent beaches but soon discover it’s historical legacy. The country’s capital, Santo Domingo, features the very first monuments of the American continent: first cathedral, first hospital, first chapel, first university … and more.
The Dominican Republic is a great place for your next vacation, colorful and exciting, where the pace is relaxed and the people are friendly and welcoming. But don’t just take our word for it. Come and discover for yourself all we have to offer.
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