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Puerto Plata: Amber Coast
Puerto Plata is sometimes referred to as the Amber Coast because of the large amount of this fossil resin of vegetable origin found in the area. In fact, in Puerto Plata there is a museum dedicated to the world of amber. Founded in 1502, Puerto Plata is a top beach destination in the north of the Dominican Republic. Dozens of hotels line the coast of this town, which welcomes many of the thousands of tourists coming to the country every year.
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Like Santo Domingo, the capital city, Puerto Plata has a ¿malecón¿ or seafront promenade that runs along 6km. At one end there is the fort of San Felipe, one of the first fortresses built in the Americas. It was constructed in the sixteenth century to defend the harbour against pirate attacks. In excellent condition, the building is now home to an interesting museum exhibiting pictures, weapons, and cannons used in the battles fought to gain independence from Spain.
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Puerto Plata is famous for its rum, so visiting Puerto Plata-based Brugal rum factory is a must. Brugal is one of the oldest rum factories in the Dominican Republic. Established in 1888 and run by Spaniard Andrés Brugal, the factory has grown to bottle over 360,000l a day. Brugal manufactures an exquisite dry rum whose exports are on the rise, as it is becoming increasingly popular in Latin America, the US, and Europe.
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