The oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the Western Hemisphere was established in 1496 by Bartholomew Columbus (Christopher's brother), and today it is capital of its country. What city is it?

The capital of the Dominican Republic holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the Americas. It was founded in 1496 on the island of Hispaniola by Bartholomew Columbus, brother of the more famous Christopher. Initially named La Nueva Isabela, the settlement was soon relocated across the Ozama River following a hurricane and renamed in honor of Saint Dominic, the patron saint of astronomers.

For decades, this city was the nerve center of Spanish power and administration in the New World. Its historical significance is unparalleled, as it was the site of the first cathedral, the first university, and the first European-style hospital in the Western Hemisphere. This incredible collection of "firsts" is beautifully preserved within its historic center, the Ciudad Colonial, which is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.

From this strategic Caribbean hub, Spain launched many of its most famous expeditions of conquest and exploration. Conquistadors like Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro used the city as a crucial staging ground for their campaigns. This legacy cements its status not just as the first permanent European city, but as the cradle of Spanish colonization in the Americas.