Moca, Dominican Republic
Moca | |
|---|---|
Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús in Moca, Dominican Republic | |
| Coordinates: 19°23′N 70°31′W / 19.383°N 70.517°W | |
| Country | Dominican Republic |
| Province | Espaillat |
| Municipality since | 1822 |
| Area | |
• Total | 251 km2 (97 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 183 m (600 ft) |
| Population (2022 census) | |
• Total | 164,022 |
| • Density | 650/km2 (1,700/sq mi) |
| • Demonym | Mocano(a) |
| Distance to – Santo Domingo | 145 km |
| Municipalities | 8 |
| Climate | Af |
| Website | http://am.gob.do/ |
Moca is the capital of Espaillat province in the Cibao region of the Dominican Republic, and is the tenth-largest city of the country with a population of 164,022 inhabitants. Moca is located 11 miles/18 kilometers east from the country’s second-largest city, Santiago. It is divided into eight municipal districts: San Víctor, Las Lagunas, José Contreras, Juan López, El Higuerito, La Ortega, Monte de la Jagua and Canca La Reina.
The city is known as "La Villa Heroica" (Village of Heroes) due to the number of men and women from Moca who have played a major role in the Dominican Republic's history in bringing down two dictators, Ulises Heureaux and Rafael Trujillo, and bringing democracy back to the country.
Moca is home to the Corazon Sagrado de Jesus ("Sacred Heart of Jesus") Cathedral. All its pane glass windows were originally brought from Italy depicting the apostles and Jesus' path to the crucifixion. Agriculture forms the primary livelihood of the inhabitants. Plantain and yucca are main crops. Most crops are harvested by hand.