Puerto Plata, city (1993 pop. 85,042), N Dominican Republic, on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the major northern port of the country, serving Santiago de los Caballeros and other inland towns. Dairy and cacao products are made there. The surrounding region contains among the largest deposits of amber in the world. Tourism has become Puerto Plata's economic mainstay, and resort beaches have been quickly developed. Nearby are the ruins of Columbus' first settlement in the New World.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Caribbean Political Geography