San Juan

San Juan, city, western Dominican Republic. It lies on the San Juan River, an affluent of the Yaque del Sur River, northwest of Santo Domingo city. The Spanish explorer Diego Velázquez founded San Juan in 1508 by royal decree on the site of the Taino Indian capital, then ruled by Chief Caonabo. The settlement floundered until 1764, when an influx of ranchers revitalized the area. During the early 19th century, a series of battles between Dominicans and Haitians were fought in the San Juan vicinity, followed by Creole uprisings for independence from Spain. The Battle of Santomé (1844), which achieved Dominican independence, was also fought nearby; it is commemorated by a monument. In addition to cattle, the economic activities of the city focus on the production of rice, coffee, corn (maize), fruit, and potatoes. Pop. (2002) urban area, 70,969; (2010) urban area, 71,494.