Hato Mayor del Rey has a population of 70,141 inhabitants, and is divided into three municipal districts: Yerba Buena, Guayabo Dulce and Mata Palacio.

In 1746, Don Antonio Coca y Vevers Landeche, who was the perpetual manager of the Majorat of Dávila, founded Hato Mayor del Rey as a village.

After 1843, Hato Mayor del Rey became its own independent community by decree of the occupying Haitian forces under Charles Rivière-Hérard.

On 13 October 1848, Dominican President Manuel Jiménes, proclaimed the community of Hato Mayor del Rey an independent town by Decree No.

During the Annexation, Hato Mayor del Rey was converted into a military base in charge of the protection of El Seibo.