The town of Higuey, capital of La Altagracia
province, is the country's most religious region and center of its
Maria cult. The town was founded in 1584 by order of Fray Nicolas de
Ovando.
The town became famous after a series of miracles from Our Lady of
High Grace who is worshiped at the Basilica.
The image is a small 16th century oil painting linked to the harvest
of oranges, one of the region's main crops. The feast day is
celebrated with processions and other rituals on January 21.
One of the stories says that Colón and
his men where trying to defend themselves from a surprise atack from
the Taíno Indians (the natives of the island), when the Virgin
Mary appeared above a cross making the indigenous people run
away.
The "Coconut Coast", along the northeastern
shores, is a stretch of white sand beaches, with crystal-clear waters
and endless coconut groves. Along this area of the coastline you find
such beaches as Macao, Cortesito, Bavaro, Punta Cana and Punta
Janillo, most of which have been developed with world class hotels
and resorts.