santo domingo
states: [dominican republic]
category: cultural
year: 1990
location: Distrito Nacional
region: Latin America and the Caribbean
latitude/longitude: 18.4833333300, -69.9166666700
unesco id: 526
world heritage site: 526
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Santo Domingo, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Dominican Republic, is renowned as the first European settlement in the Americas, founded in 1496 by Bartholomew Columbus. Its historic Colonial City features well-preserved 16th-century architecture, including the Cathedral of Santa María la Menor, the oldest cathedral in the Americas, and the Alcázar de Colón, a former residence of the Columbus family. The site showcases a blend of Spanish colonial influence and Taino heritage, offering a glimpse into the early colonial history of the New World.