How would the map of the Dominican Republic change if two new provinces were created?

The Dominican Republic's political landscape could soon see significant changes if two legislative proposals to establish two new provinces, Santa Lucía and Matías Ramón Mella, gain approval. These initiatives would not only redraw the nation's administrative divisions but also reshape the order of provinces based on their territorial size.

The proposed Santa Lucía province would encompass territories currently part of San Juan, specifically the municipalities of Las Matas de Farfán, El Cercado, and Vallejuelo. This new province would cover 1,122.80 square kilometers. If approved, San Juan province would be reduced to 2,236.64 square kilometers, losing its status as the country's largest province. La Altagracia would then become the largest, followed by Azua and Monte Plata.

Senator Félix Bautista of San Juan introduced the bill for Santa Lucía, arguing that Las Matas de Farfán possesses the necessary conditions for provincial status due to its agricultural production, livestock activity, commercial endeavors, and tourism potential, citing attractions like the Cuevas de Catanamatías and its patron saint festivals.

Simultaneously, a separate proposal seeks to create the Matías Ramón Mella province by segregating land from the current Santo Domingo province. This initiative, introduced by Perremeísta deputy Abelardo Rutinel and supported by 51 other legislators, is not entirely new, having been previously proposed in 2021. Together, the two new provinces would represent a combined area of 1,831.80 square kilometers, currently part of existing provinces, leading to a redistribution of the national territory.