The city of Santo Domingo is the first city built by European settlers in the Americas. Bartolome, brother of Christopher Columbus, founded the city on August 4, 1496. This city has evolved into a modern metropolis with a population of 2 million people, but has kept its old world charm. Indeed, Santo Domingo is a city of firsts: the first capital in the new world, the first university, fort, monastery, hospital, coinage, and cathedral, among others. The cobble stone streets of Calle de las Damas and ancient historical landmarks in the colonial district speak of the turning point from the Middle Ages into a new civilization we have come to call America.