MOCA

city, north-central Dominican Republic. It lies just east of Santiago. Founded in 1780, the city retained its Indian name, referring to moca (partridgewood), an indigenous cabbage palm tree. In 1858 Moca hosted a constitutional congress, which produced one of the more notable of the republic's many constitutions. Moca's economy is agriculturally based, centred on the production of cacao, tobacco, coffee, and sugarcane. It is connected by paved highway with Santiago de los Caballeros and Santo Domingo. Pop. (1981) 31,176.