1. Provincial framework of the municipality of Constanza
The province of La Vega, with an area of 2,287 square kilometers, is located almost in the center of the Dominican Republic. With the name of Concepción de La Vega, it was one of the five original provinces created by the Constitution of San Cristóbal in 1844.
Eight provinces border, to a greater or lesser extent, with the province of La Vega: Azua, Ocoa, Monseñor Nouel, Sánchez Ramírez, Duarte, Salcedo, Espaillat, Santiago and San Juan.
Table 1: Administrative division (municipalities) of the Province of La Vega
| Not. | Municipalities Municipal District |
| one | Concepción de La Vega (Municipal Head) |
| 1.1 | Ranchito |
| 1.2 | green River |
| two | Constance |
| 2.1 | Pull Up |
| 2.2 | bed sheet |
| 3 | Jarabacoa |
| 4 | Jima Down |
Source: www.jemarcano.com, Melgar, M. 2005
Regions
2 main regions are distinguished, with their own characteristics:
The mountainous region: located in the center of the Cordillera Central, which covers approximately two thirds of the province
The mountainous region is made up of the municipalities of Constanza, Jarabacoa and part of the municipality of La Vega. In this area the main rivers of the country (and of the province) are born. Its main cities are Constanza and Jarabacoa.
It has a humid temperate climate, according to the Köppen classification, characterized by the fact that the average temperature is below 18 degrees C during all months, except in the summer, when the monthly average reaches 19 and 20 degrees C; and the average annual precipitation is 1,000 to 1,500 mm. The life zones that predominate in this region are the Low Montane Very Humid Forest (Mmh-MB), standing out the Green Ebony Forest (Magnolia pallescens), and the Montane Very Humid Forest (Mmh-M), with its pine forests (Pinus occidentalis).
In this region, towards the west, the Massif Central is located, which is the section of the Central Cordillera where the highest heights of the country (and of the island and the Antilles) are found.
Towards the South, is the Massif of Valle Nuevo, where the highest altitude of the province is: the Loma de Alto Bandera, with 2,872 meters above sea level. In addition, there are 3 intramontane valleys of great importance for their production of flowers, vegetables and fruits: Constanza, Jarabacoa and Tireo (the latter the smallest).
The Constanza Valley (along with the Tireo Valley, which is very close) is the highest in the country and is located about 1,190 meters above sea level. It divides the Cordillera Central into two large massifs: the Massif Central, to the Northwest, and the Massif of Valle Nuevo, to the South. Its surface is 30 square kilometers. In the city of Constanza, at an altitude of 1,164 meters above sea level, the average annual temperature is 18.0 degrees C, with an average maximum of 24.8 and an average minimum of 11.2. The average annual precipitation is 1,037.5 mm. The Jarabacoa Valley, with 23 square kilometers, forms a triangle framed, mainly, by the Yaque del Norte and Jimenoa rivers. It is located at the foot of the Central Massif at about 530 meters above sea level, and 30 kilometers from La Vega. In the city of Jarabacoa,Located at an altitude of 529 meters above sea level, the average annual temperature is 22.0 degrees C, with an average maximum of 27.8 and an average minimum of 16.3. The average annual precipitation is 1,466.1 mm.
The lower region: corresponding to the western portion of the Eastern Cibao Valley, relatively flat
This region, made up of the municipality of Jima and part of the municipality of La Vega, is characterized by being almost completely flat, with very few low hills. Its climate, according to the Koppen classification, is tropical humid forest, characterized by the fact that the average temperature is 18 degrees centimeters during all months of the year, with insignificant differences between the coldest and hottest months; the average annual precipitation is greater than 2,000 mm. The Subtropical Moist Forest (Bh-S) life zone predominates.
The main urban center of the lower region (and of the province) is the city of La Concepción de La Vega (or simply La Vega), located 100 meters above sea level. The annual average temperature is 26.3 degrees C, with an average maximum of 31.1 and an average minimum of 21.5. The average annual precipitation is 1,457.4 mm.
Rivers
The main rivers of the province are:
1. Rio Yaque del Norte, whose upper basin is located in the municipality of Jarabacoa;
2. Camú, a tributary of the Yuna River and which is the main river in the province. Along with its tributaries, it determines much of the appearance of the province;
3. Jimenoa, a tributary of the Yaque del Norte.
In addition to these rivers, there are others such as the Licey River, which is the only one in the province that originates in the Cordillera Septentrional (in the Santiago province, north of Tamboril) and is a tributary of the Camú; the Río Verde, tributary of the Licey; the Tireo River, which is born in the Tireo Valley and is a tributary of the Yuna; the Río Grande, which is born in Valle Nuevo (Constanza) and after turning south is called Río del Medio and is a tributary of the Yaque del Sur; the Baiguate River, a tributary of the Jimenoa; the Jima River, tributary of the Camú; and others.
Socio-economy
Due to the diversity of climatic conditions of the province, it is possible to produce a great variety of crops. Horticultural and fruit trees with a cool and cold climate (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, carrot, tayota, garlic, apple, strawberry, among others) are produced in Jarabacoa and, mainly, in Constanza and Tireo. Flower production is also important in this mountainous region. Equally important is the production of beans, as a hillside crop, as well as coffee. In the lower part, the largest and most important crops are rice, plantain, cassava and cocoa. A large quantity of "Chinese vegetables" is produced in the areas surrounding the Camú River, mainly for export.
In low-lying areas, where there is no irrigation system, livestock production is important (beef and milk cattle). Although the province of La Vega is essentially agricultural, in recent years various industries have developed that have changed the economic profile of the province. In the city of La Vega is the Free Zone of La Vega, where textile products are manufactured, among others.
Both Constanza and Jarabacoa have been exploiting their scenic and climatic charms to attract visitors. The tourist development in Jarabacoa, especially ecotourism and adventure (kayak, paragliding, mountaineering, etc.), has become increasingly important in the municipality. The educational system in the province is very well developed in the province, from primary to university levels. In the city of La Vega there is the Salesian Agricultural School, the Cibao Technological University (UTECI) and the Pedro Henríquez Ureña National University (UNPHU), La Vega campus. In Jarabacoa there is the Fernando Arturo de Meriño Agroforestry University and the Forest School.
Main tourist attractions
- The colonial ruins of La Vega Vieja; El Santo Cerro, with the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, Patroness of the Dominican Republic; Ébano Verde Scientific Reserve; Juan Bautista Pérez Rancier National Park (Valle Nuevo); Armando Bermúdez National Park; Valle Jarabacoa intramontane with the main adventure tourism in the country (rafting, canyoning, paragliding, cascading, mountain biking, horseback riding, tubing, mountaineering, etc.) Ecotourism projects in communities of Los Calabazos, Los Dajaos, Manabao, La Cienaga, in the municipality of Jarabacoa. The Aguas Blancas waterfall, in Constanza, and the Jimenoa and Baiguate river waterfalls, in Jarabacoa. The spas in the rivers (Acapulco, Bayacanes, Confluencia). The pre-Hispanic rock art areas of Constanza. La Vega Carnival, which takes place on weekends in February.
2. General data of the municipality of Constanza
The Constanza Valley is a municipality in the La Vega province. It is located 1,200 meters above sea level, it is the highest in the country. The temperature throughout the year ranges between 5ºC and 20ºC, thus allowing all crops in temperate zones. Constanza is a valley with beautiful landscapes, land of flowers, strawberries and vegetables.
It is said that there was an indigenous Princess named Constanza, and the origin of the name of the Valley and the town is attributed to her, but there is no documentary evidence of this Legend. The first documents dealing with this town and the valley date from July 1852 when the English writer and scientist, SIR ROBERT SCHOMBURK, visited him; and according to the narrative, there was only one inhabited bohio and cattle whose owners lived in Jarabacoa; He said he had seen an indigenous cemetery with hundreds of graves, the location of which is unknown today.
In the middle of the last century, Constanza was on the way from Cibao to the South, leaving for San José de Ocoa, used by revolutionaries and fugitives.
Constanza was formed as a town in 1894, and by 1931 there were only 23 houses, 8 zinc roofs and 15 yagua, today the municipality has 90,000 inhabitants. The first families that inhabited the valley were surnames Robles, Rodríguez, Suriel and Abud mainly. The first trustee was ABRAHAM ABUD, in 1924 during the presidency of HORACIO VASQUEZ.
In the 1950s the Trujillo government made land distributions and brought Spanish, Japanese and Hungarian immigrants, there are still the first two who have contributed to the development of agriculture and population, the Hungarians left.
Garlic, potatoes, greens and vegetables are the main production of the valley, which is the largest supplier to the national market in these areas.
Dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo, had a summer house that today is used as an office of Banco Agricola and other dependencies of the Secretary of Agriculture.
The brother of the Dictator and "President" Héctor Bienvenido Trujillo had another summer house that is used today by the Commander. on duty of the Hunter Battalion which has a seat in the city.
On June 14, 1959, a plane landed at the airport with more than 40 guerrillas who fought for more than two months against the enormous army of Trujillo in the surrounding mountains.
The valley is located 1,200 meters above sea level, it is about 8 km long by 4 km wide approximately.
It has a temperate microclimate with average summer temperatures of 24 degrees day and 16 degrees night. In winter the averages drop to 20 degrees during the day and 12 degrees at night, but occasionally it drops to 8 degrees Celsius occasionally at night.
The closest rivers are intensively used in agriculture and are called Río Grande and Arroyo Hondo; the Arroyo Constanza that crossed the valley has practically disappeared due to the use of irrigation equipment; also the Arroyo Pantunflas.
From the cultivation of strawberry, peaches, apples and other exotic fruits, only the first one is well exploited, the others are found in private patios and gardens.
The jump of the "white waters" located 5,800 feet high and about 10 km from the city, is visited by tourists, is the highest in the Antilles. The surrounding mountains are in danger of being deforested by the indiscriminate grave for agricultural purposes.
The beautiful landscape, the cool and pleasant climate, and the mountain environment make this city a pole of interest for environmentalists and mountain tourists.
2.1 Highlights of the municipality of Constanza
- Within the territory that currently occupies constancy, approximately 745 rivers are born at the micro-basin, sub-basin and hydrographic basin level, and the following should be highlighted: 1. River Yuna Hydrographic Basin; 2. Hydrographic Basin of the Rio Grande del Medio; Las Cuevas River Basin. As well as micro-basins of strategic importance such as: 1. Micro-basin of the Rio Tireo; 2. Micro basin of the Rio Pinalito; 3. Micro basin of the Rio Sonador; 4. Micro basin of the Rio Madre Vieja; 5. Micro basin of the Agua Blanca River; 6. Micro-basin of the Rio Alto Bandera, etc. Based on the ecological and effective flow of the more than 745 rivers that cross the fertile lands of Constanza, it is possible to produce for the country 65% of the water necessary for human consumption in such important cities like Santo Domingo, Santiago, La Vega, Bonao, etc.
As well as the production of hydroelectric energy, estimating the effective contribution of the flows born from Constanza at approximately 67% of the total 20% of hydroelectric energy produced for the country.
- Constance agriculture contributes 3.5% of the Gross Domestic Product of the Country, the territory also preserves important ecosystems when its limits intersect with four protected areas of the central mountain range: 1. Jose del Carmen Ramirez National Park (La Culata); 2. Juan Bautista Perez Rancier National Park (Montellano, El Castillo, La Siberia and Pinar Parejo); 3. Ebano Verde Scientific Reserve (La Palma, Arroyo Prieto, etc.); and 4. Las Neblinas Scientific Reserve (The Discovered) It is important to highlight that only in the territory of Constanza due to the ecosystems it contains, more endemic species of the country are preserved than anywhere else, such is the case of more than 30 arboreal species endemic, 14 endemic bird species, 4 types of endemic ferns, 16 types of endemic butterflies,2 types of endemic amphibians (frogs) and 23 endemic orchids and epiphytes.
2.2 Answer to strategic questions
Other information that we wish to provide to contribute to the development of "diagnostics and platform studies" to ensure that in Constanta diversify productive actions promoting the socially just and economically sustainable development of this territory.
1. What is the quantity of vegetables marketed as a product of the Constanza Valley?
A / Although there is no effective monitoring of the amount of agro-products that the Valle de Constanza, Valle de Tireo, Valle del Alto del Castillo, Monte Llano, La Siberia, El Castillo and Valle Nuevo, according to data from the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (2005), the contribution of Constanza in the agricultural area to the Gross Domestic Product is 3.7%. The corresponding amount is RD $ 3.875 million annually, without considering the added value and costs of production, transportation, human logistics, etc.
2. Number of people working in agriculture?
A / According to the Secretary of State for Agriculture (SEA), it is estimated that 58% in Constanza works directly in agricultural activities (cultivation, management and harvesting), in related activities (sale of agrochemicals, technical assistance, marketing, transportation, etc.) a 14% is reported. This allows us to indicate that 72% of the population of Constanza depends directly on agricultural activities, within a population estimated for the year 2006 of 80,000 inhabitants. It must be considered that the calculations are made on the total population, considering that there is a gap on the data from the 2002 Census, as well as it is calculated that 85% of children over 5 years of age work in whole or in part in agricultural activities and 100% of women contribute to husband's agricultural activities.
3. Economically Active Population and unemployment rate?
A / Considering answer No. 2, we can establish together with data from the Secretary of Labor and the Central Bank that 81% are in work activities, establishing the PEA for constancy in approximately 46,500 people (2005).
The unemployment rate within the PEA is relatively low, 19%, compared to the 33% reported in other regions of the country. The main problem is not the labor framework, since the territory is capable of supporting the locally existing EAP and even absorbing a population of approximately 4,500 Haitian immigrants who carry out agricultural activities.
The main problem is low salary levels and the dispersion of work in the agricultural calendar, the PEA reports that of the 9.8 working months (official form) they only manage to work in 4.3 months, which directly affects the statistics that may be given on this subject.
4. Problems identified in the agricultural sector in Constanza?
Despite the productive existence that the Valle de Constanza (and village valleys) has had since its origins, it is evident that poverty arises in every neighborhood and community of Constanza, this is reflected in the lack of decent housing, continuous health problems, hygiene and safety problems.
Although there are approximately more than 30,000 tasks under production within the Valles de Constanaz, Tireo, La Culata, El Castillo, Monte Llano, La Siberia, Pinar Parejo and Valle Nuevo, the production benefits few farmers, so-called "large producers".
Community members sell their labor to these "big producers." Therefore, ECLAC indicates that Constanza is one of the richest territories of the Caribbean islands, but with the lowest equity in the distribution of financial profits.
As a result of the "Diagnosis of Critical Areas" developed by the School of Organizational Evolutionary Planning (EPOE), the main "critical subject areas" that psychosocially integrate into the "survival strategies" of neighborhoods and communities were determined, these are:
Low-paid work;
Health problems due to poor handling of agrochemicals;
Deficiency in environmental sanitation in neighborhoods and municipality;
Lack of job diversification (agriculture only);
Little support from the central government and local government to negotiate better working conditions;
Lack of drinking water;
Lack of decent housing;
Lack of technical education for youth and adults;
Poor education in school and high school;
Serious child health problems;
Child labor from 0-5 years of age.
These eleven critical areas are present in 92% of the 127 communities and neighborhoods that make up the municipality of Constanza, except for the central area where several of them have been compared due to the decoration and image framework that the municipality wishes to give.
