Home Tec Diving in the Dominican Republic Santo Domingo The ancient Caribbean seaport of Santo Domingo is a city of firsts, the first capital of the new territories discovered by Christopher Columbus, the first to have Spanish coinage, a university, a cathedral, a fort, a monastery, a hospital and a palace. Its old world charisma and Latin charm has blended well into the modern era, resulting in a cosmopolitan city of 2 million which offers the best of the old and the new. Its rich colonial past is fertile ground for tourists from throughout the world. Santo Domingo was founded in August 1496 by Columbus brother, Bartolome, who moved the temporary capital from Hispaniola's northwest coast. Christopher Columbus discovered the island in December 1492 and set up its first settlement, Navidad. Later, he established a community he called Isabela in the northwest, which his brother later moved to present-day Santo Domingo. Santo Domingo's numerous museums, restored historic sites and the cobblestone streets of the old city take the traveler back in time. Its parks and plazas invite the traveler to linger. Its ancient churches, its cathedral, its coastal fortifications and reconstructed Spanish-government buildings tempt one to stay and discover more of the past. But the tourist can disregard history entirely, if he or she chooses, and merely come to enjoy the city's modern society, its music, fine dining, its casinos and five-star hotels. The city's principal waterfront thoroughfare, El Malecon, is a bustling drive that winds seamlessly through Santo Domingo's ancient neighborhoods and its modern-day cityscape of high-rise hotels and office buildings, restaurants, outdoor cafes and shops.  Recommendation                                                                                    uwetec@gmail.com, 809-804-9445