El Catey history

El Catey is not among the ancient colonial cities founded by the conquistadors. Historically, this settlement developed as a small rural community in the Sánchez municipal district of the Samaná province. For a long time, this area remained a quiet agrarian corner, known only to locals. El Catey acquired significance and recognition on the map of the Dominican Republic relatively recently, in connection with the development of the region's tourism infrastructure and the construction of the international airport.

The transformation of El Catey from a modest village into an important point on the peninsula map is due to several factors, the main one being the opening of the Juan Bosch International Airport (AZS) in 2006. This event radically changed the status of the settlement, turning it into a key air gateway for tourists heading to the resorts of Samaná and Las Terrenas. This was also facilitated by its strategically important geographical position at the base of the peninsula, between the mountain ranges and the Atlantic coast.

Before the start of active tourism development, the economy and culture of El Catey were based on the traditional way of life of the province. The foundation of prosperity was agriculture, in particular the cultivation of coconut palms, rice, and tropical fruits, as well as fishing in coastal waters. Cultural life was formed around local festivals and close interaction with nature, which still gives this place an authentic atmosphere of tranquillity, distinguishing it from noisy resort centres.

Major Milestones in the History of El Catey

The history of El Catey is inextricably linked with the development of the Samaná province and the transformation of the region from an agricultural corner into an important tourism hub of the Dominican Republic.

• Pre-Columbian Era — The territory of the modern settlement and its surroundings was inhabited by the Ciguayo Indians, the indigenous people of the Samaná Peninsula.
• 19th Century — Formation of the first permanent rural communities engaged in growing coconuts, cocoa, and fishing.
• 1886 — Founding of the nearby city of Sánchez, the administrative centre to which the municipal district of El Catey belongs.
• Early 20th Century — Development of the region's agricultural infrastructure; El Catey remains a quiet agrarian settlement.
• 2002 — The Government of the Dominican Republic approves plans to build a new international terminal in this area to replace the small Arroyo Barril airport.
• November 1, 2006 — Official opening of the Juan Bosch International Airport (AZS) in El Catey, which became a turning point in the history of the settlement.
• November 2006 — Arrival of the first commercial international flight, marking the beginning of a new tourism era for the region.
• 2007 — Launch of regular seasonal charter programmes from Canada and European countries.
• 2011 — Commissioning of the "Boulevard Turístico del Atlántico" highway, connecting El Catey with the resort of Las Terrenas via a modern road.
• 2015 — Modernisation of road infrastructure, improving connections between the airport and the country's capital, Santo Domingo.
• 2021 — Resumption and expansion of flight programmes following the global tourism downturn, strengthening the settlement's status as an important transport gateway.

Key Stages of El Catey's Transformation

The development of El Catey can be divided into several key stages that have defined its modern appearance. From a quiet agricultural community, the settlement has turned into a strategically important transport hub of the Dominican Republic, while preserving its natural authenticity.

• Formation of Agrarian Specialisation (19th–20th Centuries)
  Significance: Laying the economic foundation of the district. Traditional cultivation of coconuts, rice, and fishing formed the cultural code of local residents and allowed the region's ecology to remain untouched until the arrival of major infrastructure.
• State Planning of the Tourism Cluster (Early 2000s)
  Significance: Adoption of a strategic decision on the development of the Samaná Peninsula. The choice of the El Catey location for the construction of a new terminal determined the future urban planning destiny of the settlement as a "gateway" to the region.
• Opening of the International Airport (2006)
  Significance: The main economic driver of recent history. The launch of the airport created new jobs, reoriented part of the population from agriculture to the service sector, and ensured a direct flow of tourists from Europe and North America.
• Elimination of Transport Isolation (2008–2011)
  Significance: Commissioning of the Juan Pablo II highway and the "Boulevard Turístico". This urban transformation reduced travel time to the capital from 4–5 hours to 2, making El Catey accessible not only for air passengers but also for domestic tourism.
• Development of Service Infrastructure (2010s – Present)
  Significance: A network of logistics services (transfers, car rentals, excursion bureaus) has formed around the transport hub, integrating the settlement into the national tourism economy.

Architectural Appearance and Development Features

Unlike the major colonial centres of the Dominican Republic, El Catey does not possess monumental monuments of the Baroque era. The architectural landscape of this settlement was formed under the influence of the utilitarian needs of a rural community and, in modern times, the requirements of modern transport infrastructure. An interesting contrast between traditional Caribbean housing and modern facilities is observed here.

Main Architectural Trends

The development of El Catey and the surrounding areas is conditionally divided into two stylistic layers corresponding to different historical periods of the region's development:

• Vernacular Caribbean Architecture
  Era: Late 19th — 20th Century.
  Characteristics: This style is represented by the residential homes of local inhabitants. It is characterised by simple wooden structures, single-storey development, and gable roofs covered with zinc sheets. Elements of the "Caribbean Victorian style" (gingerbread style), popular on the Samaná Peninsula, are frequently found: carved wooden trim, bright facade colours, and open verandas (galleries) for protection from sun and rain. Such structures are maximally adapted to the tropical climate.
• Modern Style with Victorian Motifs
  Era: Early 21st Century (since 2006).
  Characteristics: The dominant object is the terminal of the Juan Bosch International Airport. The building represents a modern structure, the appearance of which traces features of the Victorian style historically inherent to the Samaná region and especially the neighbouring city of Sánchez. The terminal is distinguished by elegance and functionality, harmoniously fitting into the environment through the use of tropical design elements, high ceilings, and open spaces for natural ventilation, but without the use of thatched roofs characteristic of other airports in the country.

Urban Structure

The urban development of El Catey occurred mainly spontaneously, with the exception of the airport zone. The following layout features can be highlighted:

• Linear Rural Layout: The historical part of the settlement stretches along old country roads. Residential houses are located in a single row, surrounded by agricultural lands and palm groves. The building density here is low, creating a sense of spaciousness.
• Infrastructure Enclave: The airport zone and adjacent interchanges represent a distinct cluster. This is a modern engineering space with clear zoning, wide asphalt access roads, and parking lots, which is visually and functionally separated from the residential part of the village.
• Transport Arteries: An important element that changed the landscape was the construction of the "Boulevard Turístico del Atlántico" highway. This thoroughfare is an example of modern road architecture, neatly fitted into the complex terrain with minimal impact on the ecosystem.

Prominent Figures Associated with the Region

Since El Catey is a small municipal district, its history is closely intertwined with prominent figures of the Samaná province and the city of Sánchez. Below are the personalities whose names are associated with this territory, its history, and its main modern facility — the airport.

• Juan Bosch
  Role: Writer, sociologist, the first democratically elected president of the Dominican Republic.
  Significance: Although he was not born in the village itself, the El Catey International Airport (Aeropuerto Internacional Presidente Juan Bosch) bears his name. This immortalises his memory as a key figure in Dominican politics and literature, greeting every tourist arriving in the region.
• Mayobanex
  Role: Cacique (Chief) of the Ciguayo Indians.
  Significance: Ruler of the indigenous peoples who inhabited the territory of the Samaná Peninsula, including the lands of present-day El Catey, before the arrival of Europeans. Known for his heroic resistance to the conquistadors and protection of the fugitive Cacique Caonabo. A symbol of the region's indigenous history.
• Francisco del Rosario Sánchez
  Role: Politician, military leader, one of the three Founding Fathers of the Dominican Republic.
  Significance: The administrative centre to which El Catey belongs bears his name (the city of Sánchez). This name was assigned to the former settlement of Las Cañitas in 1886 in honour of the national hero's merits, linking local geography with the country's struggle for independence.
• Théodore Chassériau
  Role: French painter of the Romantic era.
  Significance: Born in the neighbouring settlement of El Limón on the Samaná Peninsula. His origin highlights the historical connection of the region with French culture and European settlers who developed these lands in the 19th century.
• Gregorio Riva
  Role: Entrepreneur, philanthropist, and public figure of the 19th century.
  Significance: The main initiator of the construction of the Sánchez—La Vega railway. Although the railway no longer functions, it was this project that turned the municipal district of Sánchez (and the surroundings of El Catey) into a prosperous trading hub in the late 19th century, laying the foundations of the local economy.