La Romana was founded in 1897. The city has continuously grown first from oil, followed by sugarcane milling during the first half of the 20th century and then tourism since the 1970s. The current population is nearly 250,000. Most residents are employed by Central Romana Corporation, Ltd. The private conglomerate specializes in agriculture, manufacturing and resorts. Ayuntamiento de La Romana stands at the epicenter of the high-density metro area. The Art Deco design is a rarity in the Dominican Republic yet was popular worldwide when City Hall opened in 1910.
