San Fernando de Monte Cristi

San Fernando de Monte Cristi, or simply Monte-Cristi, is a city in northwestern Dominican Republic. It is the principal city of the Monte Cristi Province. Monte Cristi was founded by Nicolás de Ovando in 1506 and resettled on April 25, 1879, as a Marine District, and then, in November of 1907 as a provincial capital.

History[]

The province of Montecristi was established in 1907, having previously been designated as a Maritime District since 1879. Prior to that designation, it functioned as a municipality within the province of Santiago.

The municipality Monte Cristi was established as a small settlement designed in an amphitheater-like arrangement along the bay that shares its name, situated approximately one mile from the coast in the Vega Real plain. The town was founded in 1533 by a group of 60 laborers who arrived from Spain with their families. It experienced a depopulation in 1606. In 1756, it was rebuilt by Canarians dispatched from Spain, alongside Yaguana, Puerto Plata, and Bayaha. The port's neutral status promoted trade for a decade, particularly benefiting from its closeness to the French settlements across the border, notably the city of Cap-Haïtien, located merely 14 leagues away.

When Haitian forces from the North lifted the siege of Santo Domingo in 1805, Monte Cristi was razed when Captain Habilhomme ordered its destruction.
In 1808, following Rochambeau's orders, sixteen officers from the colonial gendarmerie, who had been detained based solely on suspicion, were taken to an islet near La Grange in the bay of Monte Cristi. There, they were crucified on trees along the shoreline, left to perish on this desolate coast, consumed by insects.
In 1810, as Spain sought to assert its claim over the eastern territory of Haiti, ²President Boyer sent a regiment to Monte Cristi to counter the foreign incursion on Haitian soil.
By 1839, the area boasted 205 well-maintained plantations, alongside 13 that were in disrepair, bringing the total to 218. The town was originally organized into five sections: Sainte Anne, Juan Gomez, Pocito, Savalo, and Laohado.
In 1849, Monsignor de Mérault held the title of Duke of Monte Cristi during the Second Empire.
The estimated population in 1890 was around 1,500.
Historically, J. Diaz was the first individual to represent the commune of Monte Cristi in the House of Representatives in Port-au-Prince after the assembly of the Eastern part of ²President Boyer's government in 1821.
The inhabitants of Monte Cristi, along with those from Dajabón, were the first to signal the revolution on November 15, 1821, which ultimately led to the unification of the Eastern region with the Republic of Haiti.
With the establishment of postal services in 1826, Monte Cristi sent its mail every Thursday and Sunday to Fort-Liberté, which in turn received correspondence intended for it. On the same days, a courier would transport letters to Saint Yague for the Eastern region and collect those destined for Monte Cristi on the return trip.

Despite its currently limited economic activity, Montecristi experienced a significant period of prosperity during the latter part of the 19th century (1800s). The city was a pioneer in various advancements that enhanced daily life, including the establishment of the first aqueduct, railway, and telephone system. Professor Mariana Aguilera elaborates on this in her work, Apuntes para una Historia de Montecristi, highlighting the monumental effort to redirect the Yaque del Norte River, which had deviated from its original path following the catastrophic events of 1802.

Montecristi thrived as a vibrant city, drawing residents not only from Santo Domingo, Santiago, and Puerto Plata, but also attracting foreigners from England, France, Spain, China, the United States, South America, and other Caribbean islands. The presence of consulates from several prominent nations underscored its international significance. According to Professor Aguilera, the city's advancement can be attributed to several factors, including the influential Casa Jiménez, whose proprietors were well-connected to established European enterprises. Germany, in particular, experienced a surge in its technical and industrial growth, with its textile and other industries requiring the abundant raw materials found in the Dominican Republic, such as Campeche, guatapanal, and aromatic plants. Additionally, products like honey, hides, and wax contributed to a dynamic export market, complemented by an import market that included manufactured goods such as textiles, machinery, ceramics, zinc, and footwear. The Jiménez House was primarily owned by Juan Isidro Jiménez, who would later serve as President of the Republic in 1899 and again in 1911, along with his sister, Mrs. Emilia Jiménez, and her husband, Rafael Rodríguez Camargo. These siblings were the offspring of Manuel Jiménez, who held the presidency in 1849. Rafael Rodríguez Camargo was the son of Ramón Rodríguez (known as El Gallego) and María Rosa Camargo. His family was recognized as one of the wealthiest not only in Montecristi but throughout the nation.

Although it seems strange, due to its scarce current economic activity, Montecristi had a boom period in the last quarter of the 19th century (1800s).

"The city was at the forefront of many of the advances that make life easier: the first aqueduct, first railway and telephone." The great task of diverting the course of the Yaque del Norte river, which had lost its initial course during the cataclysm of 1802," explains Professor Mariana Aguilera in her work Apuntes para una Historia de Montecristi.

Montecristi was a prosperous city, attracting people not only from Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata and other communities, but also foreigners (English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Americans, South Americans and islanders from the other Antilles); "consulates of the most important countries worked".

"The progress of Montecristi was due - Professor Aguilera points out - among other factors to the existence of Casa Jiménez, whose owners were linked to established businesses in Europe..."

"Especially Germany experienced a boom in its technical and industrial development, the textile industry and others needed the raw materials that exist in the wild in the Dominican Republic (Campeche, guatapanal, aroma, etc.) and others such as honey, skins, wax, etc. they opened a very active export market, which was completed with the import market, consisting of manufactured products (fabrics, machines, earthenware, zinc, shoes, etc.). "

The Jiménez House was property, mainly, of Juan Isidro Jiménez, that soon would arrive at the presidency of the Republic (1899 and in 1911); her sister Mrs. Emilia Jiménez and her husband, Rafael Rodríguez Camargo. These two brothers were the sons of Manuel Jiménez, who was the second president of the nation, in 1849.

Rodríguez Camargo was the son of Ramón Rodríguez (El Gallego) and María Rosa Camargo. His family was "one of the richest not only of Montecristi, but of the country".

Another important businessman in Montecristi was the Spaniard Antonio Espín, who obtained the concession to bring the first locomotive to the country and use it in transporting trunks (sleepers) from Campeche to the port.

Other families had well established businesses, including Rivas. And to the home of one of its members, Román, "according to versions, bags filled with money (ounces of gold, etc.) arrived every day".

"The port had so much activity - it is added in Notes for a History of Montecristi - that was considered among the first three in the country." To ease the distances, many residents lived next to the sea, on today's Juan de Bolaños beach, where a town existed, with its streets, stores, and billiards, etc. "

The economic decline of Montecristi began with the decrease in the demand for these raw materials in Europe, difficulties of the Casa Jiménez, which the dictator Lilís forced to escape from the hands of his political rival, Juan Isidro Jiménez, and then the problems derived from the First World War.

Professor Aguilera considers it important to remember these events, not for the Montecristeños "to rest on the progress of the past, but to consider that what was yesterday can be repeated, so that more than 100 years can be experienced again a positive transformation" .

Manifesto of Montecristi[]

An important milestone in the history of Montecristi was the signing of the Manifesto of Montecristi, an official document of the Cuban Revolutionary Party in which the ideas on which José Martí was based to organize the Cuban War of Independence in 1895 are exposed. It was signed by José Martí and Máximo Gómez on March 25, 1895 in the town of Montecristi (Dominican Republic).

Geography[]

Located about 2 kilometers (3.5 miles) from the port is the Grand Yaque River, which features two mouths in the bay, spaced 0.5 km (1/3 mile) apart but converging about a quarter of a league upstream. This river is home to numerous caimans and has the potential to be navigable for over 70 kilometers (43 miles) from its mouth for flat-bottomed boats. Monte Christ would gain significant importance by receiving agricultural products from the vast Vega Real plain. A ferry operates across the river, connecting it to the town.

Weather[]

The climate of the Monte Cristi is semi-arid with an average temperature of 26.5°C (79.7°F) and an average annual precipitation of 700 mm (28 inches). The average evaporation is 1800 mm (71 inches), explaining the great water deficit in the area. The trade winds that blow from the northeast mainly influence the area. Precipitation is highest in the eastern part of the park where the winds collide with the Northern Cordillera and discharge their waters. The same applies to the Manzanillo area. The same winds collide with the Cordillera Central and its prolongation Massif du Nord in Haiti. The effect is felt mostly in the foothills near Loma de Cabrera and Dajabón, but also, to a lesser degree, in Manzanillo.

Hurricanes and tropical storms have little impact on the Montecristi area, however, their rains can cause floods and overflows in the Yaque del Norte River, also affecting its mouth. The sediments that the river brings also affect the reefs of the area. During the winter, some cold fronts arrive from North America, with low temperatures and strong northerly winds. The phenomenon of the sea bottom is also common: cold currents that come down from the Arctic via the seabed and emerge when they collide with the insular platform.

Monte Cristi Bay[]

The bay of Monte Christ is situated between Pointe Lagrange, also known as Monte Cristi, and the narrow isthmus of Jacques and Pointe de Balsamo. Cape Lagrange is positioned at a latitude of 19°54'30" N and a longitude of 74°9'30" W. This bay serves as an excellent port, facilitating international trade.

Monte Cristi Mountain Range[]

This mountain range, independent of the others, is located in the north of the Dominican Republic, so called after the city in the vicinity of which it emerges.

Extending over 200 kilometers (124 miles), it acts as a natural divider between the provinces of Santiago, Puerto Plata, and Monte Cristi, the latter being along its length. The range commences at Lagrange Point and concludes at the Samana Peninsula. It broadens towards the east, measuring 45 kilometers (28 miles) in width, while tapering to 2 kilometers (1.25 mi.) in the west.

The range features several notable peaks, including

Puerto de los Hidalgos at 425 meters (1,395 ft.),
Mount Muraso at 1,035 meters (3,400 ft.),
Pedro Àmara at 440 meters (1,444 ft.),
Quita Espuela and Pico la Cumbre at 670 meters (2,200 ft.),
Guanemana at 760 meters (2,500 ft.),
Pico Santana at 975 meters (3,200 ft.),
Cucurucho and Mount Guanabana at 760 meters (2,495 ft.),
Chicharron at 275 meters (902 ft.),
North Pico at 1,065 meters (3,500 ft.), and
Mount Diego Campo at 1,268 meters (4,160 ft.).

During the island's geological formation, the Monte Christ range experienced significant uplift, rising from the ocean floor by approximately 900 to 1,000 meters (3,200 ft.). Studies conducted by geologist Ludivig have provided detailed insights into the lignite layers of the Monte Christ range, revealing substantial coal deposits in various locations between San Francisco de Macoris and Mount Ruita Espuela. These deposits are notably extensive.

Economy[]

Trade activities include the exchange of tobacco and livestock with Fort Liberté and Cap-Haïtien, alongside significant exports of dye wood, dividivi, and various types of construction timber.

Infrastructure[]

The Republic of Haiti maintains a consulate in Monte Cristi, which is situated 100 leagues from Port-au-Prince. The city is also the seat of a civil court.

Heritage[]

The patronal feast is celebrated in honor of Saint-Ferdinand.

Points of interest[]

Sept Freres (English: "Seven brothers") are islets located in front of Monte Christi. They contain carbonates and phosphates of lime. In 1882 the Dominican government conceded the exploitation of these materials.

References[]

Encyclopedia [1]