Samana, Santa Barbara's full name Samana is a city and municipality in the northeastern province and is the capital of the Dominican Republic Samana. It is located on the north coast of Samana Bay. The city is a major tourist destination and is the main
center for organized tours to see whales.
The city was founded in 1756 as Santa Barbara de Samana in the governor during the Spanish colonial Francisco Rubio y Peñaranda. Families from the Canary Islands were brought to live in this city and Sabana de la Mar. Santa Barbara was named after Queen Barbara
of Braganza, wife of King Ferdinand VI of Spain.
