The region Sur is in the south of the Dominican Republic and borders the regions Cibao and Estonian as well as to the neighboring state Haiti.
Regions
Valdesia
Azua
At the time of the conquest, this area was owned by the Indian chiefs of Maguana. In 1588 a parish is mentioned. The administrative center of Azua is located around 100 km west of the capital Santo Domingo, with a population of around 85,000. In 1959 the port was expanded.
Other municipalities are Estebania, Guayabal, Las Charcas, Las Yayas de Viajama, Padre Las Casas, Peralta, Pueblo Viejo, Sabana Yegua and Tábara Arriba.
Peravia
The northern part, which is now known as San José de Ocoa, also belonged to this south coast province until the end of 2000. Peravia was named after the valley of the same name, where the rivers Bani, Nizao and Ocoa flow.
The administrative center is Bani, it was founded in 1764. This small town with around 62,000 inhabitants is only an hour's drive from the capital, Santo Domingo. The second municipality in the province is Nizao.
San Jose de Ocoa
This province has existed since January 1, 2001, it was divided from the province of Peravia. The administrative seat of the same name was founded as El Maniel during the colonial era.
Other communities are Rancho Arriba and Sabana Larga.
San Cristobal
This province borders the capital Santo Domingo to the west. Originally it was called Trujillo after its founder. Originally, today's province of Monte Plata also belonged to it. The origins go back to before 1500. In 1543 the first republic and the first constitution was proclaimed here.
The capital of the province also bears the name San Cristobal. Other municipalities are Bajos de Haina, Cambita Garabitos, Las Cacaos, Sabana Grande de Palenque, San Gregorio de Nigua, San Gregorio de Yaguate and Villa Altagracia.
El Valle
Elías Piña
This province was founded in 1942 as “San Rafael”. In 1965 it became the province of Estrellata. In 1972 it was given its current name. Elias Pina was an officer in the army of the Dominican Army and was involved in the fighting against Haiti. He was born in the town of La Margarita near Comendador and died in 1845.
The province is south of Dajabon and also has a long border with Haiti. In the north, the border is formed by the “Carretera Internacional” road. It is not paved, but in good condition. The border markings of Haiti are on one side of the road and those of the Dominican Republic on the other. A permit from the authorities is required to use the road.
The administrative headquarters Comendador has around 25,000 inhabitants. Its name goes back to the founder Comendador Lares. From there there is a road connection to neighboring Haiti. The other municipalities are Bánica, El Llano, Hondo Valle, Juan Santiago and Pedro Santana.
San Juan
Until 1960 this province was called Benefactor. It consists of the municipalities of Bohechio, El Cercado, Juan de Herrera, Las Matas de Farfán, San Juan de Maguana with the administrative center and Vallejuelo.
The city of San Juan has about 50,000 inhabitants. It is a typical, traditional market center. The first foundation in 1503 was about five kilometers south of the current place.
A prehistoric monument 5 km to the north is of international importance. The Corral de los Indios is a round square on which hewn stones are set up at regular intervals.
Enriquillo
Barahona
This southern province consists of the municipalities of Cabral, El Penón, Enriquillo, Fundacion, Jaquimeyes, La Ciénaga, Las Salinas, Paraiso, Polo, and Vicente Noble Santa Cruz de Barahona. The city of Barahona is located on the Bahia de Neiba Bay, which extends deep into the land. The town was founded in 1802 on behalf of Toussaint L’Ouverture when he took possession of the area for France. Today coffee, sugar cane and the port are of great importance there.
There is a greater salt production in the province, and gypsum is also mined.
Bahoruco
This province is sometimes also spelled “Baoruco”. It is located between Lake Enriquillo and the Rio Yaque del Sur. It consists of the municipalities of Galván, Los Rios, Neiba (administrative center), Tamayo and Villa Jaragua.
Independencia
The province emerged in 1950 as a split from the Baoruco province. These include the municipalities of Cristóbal, Duvergé, La Descubierta, Mella, Postrer Rio and Jimani, where the administrative center is located. Jumani is a founding of the Indians with the original name “Ximani”. In May 2004, a spring flood in the otherwise dry Arroyo Blanco river destroyed half the city. The reconstruction has not yet been completed. From Jimani there is brisk border traffic to neighboring Haiti, and the province has a relatively dry climate. In agriculture, the main crops there are beans, peanuts, coconuts and sweet potatoes.
The largest lake in the republic, Lago Enriquillo, is located in this province. It is 40 m below sea level, 30 km long, 11 km wide and covers an area of 222 square km.
Pedernales
This is the southernmost province of the republic, with a short border with Haiti and a long coastline to the Caribbean Sea, founded in 1927 on behalf of the Horacio Vásquez government. Dezu also owns the island of Isla Beata. It is one of the least populated regions in the country, with only two municipalities: Oviedo and Pedernales with the seat of the administration.
South of Pedernales is the port of Cabo Rojo, from where aluminum ore is shipped.
This province also has a dry climate, so agriculture is only possible with extensive irrigation.
