Directions
Polo Magnétic is located on the tiny highway between Cabral and Polo, to the West of Barahona, off highway 46 that goes from Barahona to Cabral.
Hill Information
According to Eugenio Urbáez, a tiny 94 year old man, full of facts about the strange place, who was recently interviewed by El Caribe newspaper (2003), the movement is caused by two mines that are below the surface. One is petroleum and the other is sulfur. While this is hardly true, the fact remains that objects move uphill at this location, be they bottles or balls or cars or trucks.
However, except for a tiny sign put up by the Brugal Company, there is nothing to indicate the truly interesting spot. Oh there was a big circle painted on the highway with a yellow dot in the middle, but that has been worn away and now the adventurous tourist just has to find Eugenio Urbáez. Don Eugenio lives nearby, on a hill called La Cueva (The Cave). One of his important instruments is a full bottle of water that he places on the spot and with no help from anyone, slowly begins to ascend the incline.
Instructions
WARNING. You are on a public road! Obey all traffic signs and rules. Where there are hills there are blind spots. Always bring someone to watch for other traffic. Never try the hill when the road is wet and slippery or during inclement weather conditions.
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After trying this natural phenomenon you may question it's causes. Well, we don't want to disappoint you, but whether it is called a Magnetic Hill, Gravity Hill, Mystery Hill or Electric Brae it is an optical illusion. It has nothing to do with magnetic fields, electricity or unknown forces working along mysterious lines.
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| Watching a bottle roll uphill |
Polo Magnético |
Barahona (City) Information
Located in the southern part of the country, the city of Santa Cruz de Barahona was founded in 1802 by the initiative of Haitian commander Toussaint Louverture. It began as a fishing town on the Yaque del Sur river, the Rincon Lagoon and the Caribbean Sea. Most of the land suitable for cultivation is used for sugar cane. In other words, the main economic activity within the municipality is constituted by agricultural labor. Fishing, the activity that founded the city of Santa Cruz de Barahona, continues to be a generating source of wealth. Barahona has been an area that the government has slated for future tourist development. The city's industrial and commercial activity centres on sugar; sugarcane, molasses, coffee, hardwoods, and fruits are the main exports. Salt beds are located in the area. Pop. (1983 est.) 51,000.
Barahona (Province) Information
Barahona’s landscape consists of mountains, streams, cascades, exuberant vegetation and miles of crystalline beaches. The province is one of the great natural habitats and includes Lake Enriquillo, the largest in the Antilles, with its Isla Cabritos. This island is home to over 60 bird species including the flamingo, and is a protected zone for the American Crocodile.
Brief history of the Dominican Republic
History: Columbus discovered the island of Hispaniola (which he called La Espaniola) in 1492 and established it as his main base for the further exploration of the region. In 1697, the western part of the island came under French control, with the east remaining under Spanish control. In 1795, the city of Santo Domingo – the oldest city in the Americas, founded by Columbus’ brother, in 1496 – was ceded to the French, followed by the rest of the island of Hispaniola later the same year. The battle of Palohincado, in 1808, in which Dominican General Ramirez inflicted an important defeat on the French, heralded the collapse of French rule in the eastern part of the island. The colony reverted to Spanish sovereignty in 1809, and in 1821, the colonial treasurer, José Nunez de Caceres, proclaimed Santo Domingo’s independence. This independence was short-lived – in 1822, the Haitians invaded the colony and occupied it for 22 years, until, on 27 February 1844, the territory of Santo Domingo recovered its sovereignty and declared independence once again, this time permanently, as the Dominican Republic.
| Credits |
| Maps |
? Upon proof of ownership credit will added or image removed. |
| Directions/Instructions |
Compilation |
| Pictures |
Picture #1 Colonial Tour & Travel
Picture #2 Listín Diario.com.do
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| Hill Information |
Compilation |
Barahona Information
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Sintesis del Plan Decenal de Educación de la Regional de Barahona Editora de Colores. |
| Brief history of ..... |
Condensed from Travel-Guide.com |
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