Formerly:
Julia Molina

Nagua, city, northern Dominican Republic, located just north of the mouth of the Nagua River, facing Escocesa Bay, on the Atlantic Ocean. Nagua is located on the main coastal road connecting the main cities of the region. The major functions of the city are administrative and agricultural, processing the goods of the surrounding agricultural plain—bananas, pineapples, peanuts (groundnuts), and other tropical produce. There are no manufacturing industries of any size. The city was severely damaged by flooding of the Nagua River that resulted from storms in 1979. Pop. (2002) urban area, 32,035; (2010) urban area, 38,540.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Maren Goldberg.
In full:
Santa Bárbara de Samaná

Samaná, city, northeastern Dominican Republic, on the southern shore of the Samaná Peninsula. The city was founded in 1756 by Spaniards from the Canary Islands. In 1825 there was a notable influx of black immigrants from the United States. Samaná serves as a commercial and manufacturing centre for the hinterland, which yields timber, cacao, coconuts, rice, and marble. Tanning is also an important economic activity. Samaná has port facilities and is a beach resort. Pop. (2002) urban area, 10,692; (2010) urban area, 13,857.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Maren Goldberg.