== Immerse yourself in the culture of the oldest city in the Western Hemisphere. == A city of New World "firsts" - first cathedral, paved street, hospital, palace, tavern and many more. * Includes pictures of all major sites from the 15th through 20th century * Use the brief history of each site to fine tune your visit to suit your special interests * Experience the Colonial Zone without needing to hire a guide * Easy reading * Fantastic photos of all major historical attractions including churches, museums, streets, ruins, and more * Enough historical insight to help you understand why the site is worth your time to visit * Opening hours, cost of admission where applicable, and directions for all sites * Photos and descriptions of sites along the city's beautiful seaside boulevard, The Malecon, and other sites beyond the Colonial Zone * Descriptions of the city's annual Carnaval and Merengue Festival * Details to help with when to go, what to pack and how to get to and around in the city * A flexible self-guided tour that includes all major "must-sees" in the Colonial Zone * The role of Admiral Christopher Columbus and his family in founding and establishing the colony * Little known facts about the discovery of the vault containing the remains of the Great Admiral * Description of many of the key 15th century figures and their role in the colony's expansion * The emergence of the Dominican Republic from a turbulent history of occupation by other countries * The era of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo, the Dominican Republic's dictator president, and how he dominated the pysche of all Dominicans * The role of key Dominican figures in fighting for the freedom of fellow countrymen from all occupying forces including Trujillo