San

San (or Santo) Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic, stands on the south coast of the island of Hayti, at the mouth of the Ozama. It was founded by Columbus as early as 1494. The principal buildings are the Gothic cathedral (1514-40), where the ashes of Columbus found a rest from 1536 till 1796, a college, a hospital, an arsenal, and the government buildings. The streets are broad and straight, the houses mostly of wood, and the town is surrounded by a wall. The harbour is defended by forts and batteries. Pop. 15,000. See also HAYTI, and DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.