Gaspar Hernández, Espaillat Province, Cibao Region, The Dominican Republic

🇩🇴 Gaspar Hernández is a small city in Espaillat province on the North Coast Dominican Republic.

Gaspar Hernandez exhibits characteristics typical of towns in the region. While there is some indirect economic activity related to tourism, the local economy is primarily based on cattle farming and agriculture.

History The current site of Gaspar Hernandez retains features of indigenous culture, mainly of the Ciguayo and Ciboney Indians from the societies of Río San Juan, Nagua and Samana.

The present municipality was founded on April 5, 1907, in a place originally called Canto La Ermita. At that time the population was concentrated on the banks of the river Joba. The place was renamed in honor of the Peruvian priest, Gaspar Hernández, an associate of Juan Pablo Duarte and a advent supporter of the Dominican War of Independence.

Economy The municipality of Gaspar Hernandez has a diversified economy divided between tourism and agricultural production.

Ecotourism exists mainly in the Ojo de Agua district, with caves and caverns, beautiful natural landscapes, and the source of water, dipping between rocks and reappearing as the Ojo de Agua. Important hotel projects along the coast of Gaspar Hernandez include: Bahia Principe, Bahia Esmeralda, El Pescador, Playa Cana, Playa Rogelio, and Punta Gorda.

The Municipal District of Veragua produces banana, maize, cassava, and sweet potatoes. The District of Joba Arriba is the largest producer of cocoa, with one of the country's largest cocoa farmers' associations. It also produces other minor agricultural products. Cattle and hogs are another important sector.

Fishing has developed gradually, catering to the tourist resorts of Sosua and Cabarete. Beekeeping is a new activity in the municipality in the production of honey, pollen and Royal Jelly.