Azua

Azua, in full Azua de Compostela, city, southern Dominican Republic. Founded in 1504 on the Caribbean coast, the original town was destroyed by an earthquake. The town was reestablished 3 miles (5 km) inland at its present site at the foot of the Ocoa Mountains. It is one of the leading cities in the region, trading mainly in agricultural products grown in the surrounding region: sugarcane, coffee, rice, corn (maize), fruits, and timber. The city lies on the paved highway linking Santo Domingo, the national capital, with Comendador, near the border with Haiti. Pop. (2002) urban area, 56,453; (2010) urban area, 63,055.