Final answer:
The largest city and capital of the Dominican Republic is Santo Domingo, founded by Bartholomew Columbus in 1496. Notable historical sites in the city include Alcazar De Colon, Cathedral of Santa Maria La Menor, and Fortaleza Ozama. It holds the distinction of being the oldest European settlement in the Americas.
Step-by-step explanation:
Largest City and Capital of the Dominican Republic
The largest city and capital of the Dominican Republic, founded by Bartholomew Columbus in 1496, is Santo Domingo. It is also the oldest European settlement in the Americas, and was historically known as Ciudad Trujillo. The city is rich in historical architecture and sites such as the Alcazar De Colon, the Cathedral of Santa Maria La Menor, and Fortaleza Ozama. Bartholomew Columbus, the brother of Christopher Columbus, established the city during the early period of Spanish colonialism, following Christopher Columbus's voyages that began in 1492 and his landing on Hispaniola.
The history of Santo Domingo is intertwined with the age of exploration and the subsequent colonization of the Americas. The founding of this city marked a significant period where the Europeans, particularly the Spanish, established their presence in the New World, leaving a lasting impact on the region's culture, demographics, and history. Furthermore, it is an essential part of the colonial legacy in Latin America, showing the Europeans' search for wealth and their religious and military pursuits that shaped the early colonial period from 1521 to 1600 CE. Santo Domingo served as the template for further Spanish urban planning in the New World.