Since colonial times, the territory was part of Azua province until the dictator, Rafael Trujillo, made this province in 1938 with the name Benefactor with the municipalities of Las Matas de Farfán y El Cercado. Bohechío was made a municipality in 1974, Vallejuelo in 1978 and Juan de Herrera in 1992.[1]
In 1998, Matayaya became a municipal district; Pedro Corto in 2000; Sabaneta, Arroyo Cano and Yaque in 2004; Carrera de Yeguas, Sabana Alta, El Rosario, Hato del Padre, Guanito, La Jagua, Derrumbadero and Batista in 2005; Las Maguanas-Hato Nuevo, Las Charcas de María Nova, Jinova and Jorjillo in 2006; and Las Zanjas in 2007.[1]
In 2014 (last national census), there were 317,293 people living in the San Juan province, and 139,620 (44%) living in towns and cities. The population density was 94.3 persons/km².[2]
Its population represents 3.36% of the total population of the country and the province is ranked as the 11th (out of 31 plus the National District) more populated province.
As of 2016[update], the total estimated propulation of the province is 226,484 inhabitants.[3]
The largest city of the province is San Juan de la Maguana, its head municipality or capital, with an urban population (in 2014) of 71,494 inhabitants.[2]
Geography
The San Juan province has a total area of 3,363.8 km2 (1,298.8 sq mi).[2] It has 7% of the area of the Dominican Republic and it is ranked as the 1st (out of 31 plus the National District) largest province.
The Cordillera Central ("Central mountain chain") is in the northern part of the province, and the Sierra de Neiba runs across the southern half. The area between those two mountain ranges is the San Juan valley, which the Taínos call Maguana, meaning "small valley".
The highest mountain in the province is Pico Duarte, with 3,087 m.[5] It is the highest mountain in the West Indies and is on the border with Santiago province.
Rivers
The main rivers of the province are the San Juan and Yaque del Sur rivers.
Climate
The climate of the province is a tropical climate, hot most of the year, but it is cooler in the mountains.
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