Hato Mayor Province
Named 'King's largest cattle farm' from colonial-era ranches; major dairy province and cheese producer; red amber mining in El Valle.
The province's name translates to 'the King's largest cattle farm'—a title earned during the colonial era when Spanish explorers divided the territory into nine hatos (ranches) that established ranching as the economic foundation. Those colonial-era pastures persist today, with extensive savannas supporting dairy and beef cattle that supply cheese-making operations throughout the region. Hato Mayor remains one of the Dominican Republic's most important dairy provinces.
Beyond cattle, the province produces citrus fruits (oranges, mandarins, passion fruit), organic cocoa, and African palm. The El Valle municipality has developed amber mining, extracting the rare red amber variety prized by collectors. Sabana de la Mar, positioned on Samaná Bay, sustains a fishing economy alongside whale-watching tourism. The rolling hills, verdant forests, and cacao plantations create landscapes that increasingly attract ecotourists.
By 2026, Hato Mayor will test whether traditional ranching and emerging ecotourism can coexist productively. If dairy modernization improves productivity while organic cacao and citrus capture specialty premiums, the province could diversify without abandoning its pastoral identity. If tourism pressure converts agricultural land or urbanization displaces ranchers, the King's cattle farm may lose the character that gave it a name.