Moca
Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Church
Moca
Coordinates: 19°23′N 70°31′W / 19.383°N 70.517°W / 19.383; -70.517
Country	Dominican Republic
Province	Espaillat
Founded
Municipality since	1822
Area [1]
- Total	339.21 km2 (131 sq mi)
Elevation [2]	183 m (600 ft)
Population (2002)[3]
- Total	172,294
- Density	507.9/km2 (1,315.5/sq mi)
- Urban	66,876
- Demonym	Mocano(a)
Distance to  – Santo Domingo	145 km
Municipalities	8
Website	http://www.moca.gov.do

Moca is the capital of Espaillat province in the Dominican Republic.

It is known for it agricultural production. Also known as "La Villa Heroica" (Village of Heroes) due to the amount of brave men and women from Moca who have played a major role in the Dominican Republic's history in bringing down two dictators, Ulises Heureaux and Rafael Trujillo, and bringing democracy back to the country.

Moca has one of the most beautiful churches in the country named Corazon de Jesus (Heart of Jesus). All its pane glass windows are originally from Italy depicting the apostles and Jesus' path to the crucifixion.

Current Western Oklahoma State College pitcher/outfielder Danny Almonte was born here in 1987. Almonte's teammate at WOSC, Jose "Flaco Loco" Cuevas is also from Moca. The writer Aída Cartagena Portalatín was also born in Moca, in 1918.

Agriculture forms the primary livelihood of the inhabitants. Plantain and yucca are main crops. Most crops are harvested by hand.

Traffic-related deaths are common due to unsafe driving practices and the heavy use of mopeds without helmets.

Several physician groups have worked to improve the health of local residents including Physicians for Peace (Norfolk, VA) and Fundacion Sol Naciente, a free public clinic which also serves as the local hospital.

Famous doctor Dr. Eduardo Antonio Marte, son of heroic patriot Felix Antonio Marte, was also born in Moca City.

Moca is also recognized for its strong political up bringing. Former dictator Rafael Trujillo owned a house in Moca. In fact, the house is located a few blocks from the church Sagrado Corazon De Jesus (picture above).

Brave citizens of Moca played major roles in the termination of the dictators Rafael Trujillo and Ulises Heureaux. Most heroes have remained anonymous even to this day, however there are few who with great valor exposed their faces and guided the forces against the dictators.

Felix Antonio Marte – as mentioned above- is a patriotic hero who played a key role in liberating the country from the wrath of Rafael Trijillo. Under Trujillo’s ruling, Marte’s family was subjected to extreme vigilance and violence.

The entire Marte family survived Trujillo’s ruling and succeeded with his termination.

Felix Antonio Marte remains living in Moca as do some of his children, the rest of his children live in the United States.

[edit] References