Duarte, one of the Dominican Republic's 32 provinces, is located in the northeast and named after the country's founder. Part of the broader region known as "El Cibao," it boasts the highest levels of education, industry, and economic prosperity in the country. El Cibao is also considered the cultural heartland of the Dominican Republic, being the birthplace of Merengue music (the original folk type, known as perico ripiao, is still performed by local musical groups). The region hosts long-standing and historic carnival celebrations and the local accent is a unique blend, reflecting influences from 16th- and 17th-century Portuguese colonists and 18th-century Canarian settlers. Within El Cibao lies the Cordillera Central mountain range, home to the Caribbean's highest peak, Pico Duarte. The region is also blessed with two of the country's largest rivers which play a vital role in irrigating its agriculture. Furthermore, Duarte plays a crucial role in mining, boasting the largest gold mine in the Americas and the second-largest globally. It is also home to Öko-Caribe, a renowned cocoa supplier that works with local farmers and is known for its exceptional quality, high standards, and admirable business practices.