VALVERDE

province, northwestern Dominican Republic. Created on territory removed in 1959 from Santiago province, the 220-sq-mi (570-sq-km) province lies mainly in the fertile and densely populated Valle del Cibao; it is drained by the Yaque del Norte River. The principal economic activity is agriculture; cacao, coffee, tobacco, corn (maize), sugarcane, rice, and fruits are the leading crops. Lumbering and placer gold mining are also carried on. The province is traversed by secondary and main highways linking Mao (q.v.), the provincial capital, with other communities in the valley. Pop. (1981) 100,319.