Aguada, Puerto Rico
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| Aguada, Puerto Rico | |||
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| — Municipality — | |||
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| Nickname(s): La Villa de Sotomayor", "Ciudad Del Descubrimiento", "Villa de San Francisco de Asís de la Aguada", "El Pueblo Playero", "La Ciudad del Vaticano" | |||
| Anthem: "Muchos siglos han pasado" | |||
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| Coordinates: 18°22′46″N 67°11′18″W / 18.37944°N 67.18833°WCoordinates: 18°22′46″N 67°11′18″W / 18.37944°N 67.18833°W | |||
| Country |  United States |
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| Territory |  Puerto Rico |
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| Founded | 1508 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Mayor | Hon. Luis A. "Berty" Echevarria (PNP) | ||
| Population (2010[1]) | |||
| • Total | 41,959 | ||
| Demonym | Aguadeños | ||
| Time zone | AST (UTC-4) | ||
| Zip code | 00602 | ||
| Website | aguada.gov.pr | ||
Aguada (English pronunciation: /əˈɡwɑːdə/, Spanish: [aˈɣwaða]) is a municipality of Puerto Rico, located in the western coastal valley region bordering the Atlantic Ocean, west of Rincón, Aguadilla and Moca; and north of Anasco and Mayaguez. It is part of the Aguadilla-Isabela-San Sebastián Metropolitan Statistical Area. Aguada's population is spread over 17 wards and Aguada Pueblo, which is the downtown area and the administrative center of the city.
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[edit] History
It is believed[by whom?] that Christopher Columbus entered the island of Puerto Rico through Aguada on his second voyage in November 1493. However, the nearby city of Aguadilla also claims to be the site of Columbus' arrival[citation needed]. While there is no specific historical proof, it is known[by whom?] that many of the first attempts to set up a town on the island were in Aguada.
In July 1510, Cristóbal de Sotomayor received control of the area from Juan Ponce de León and renamed the town Villa de Sotomayor. [2] Aguada became a stopover point for ships on their way to Spain from South America. On 1737, Philip V, King of Spain, declared that all mail on route to Venezuela and other South American countries from Puerto Rico must exit from Aguada's ports, leading to the area's economic growth.
[edit] Geography
[edit] Land features
Aguada is part of the Coastal Plains of the West, with more than half of its terrain being slightly mountainous, while the rest is plain terrain. Among the mountains located in Aguada is San Francisco mountain, which is the birthpoint of the Cordillera Central. Also, there is Cerro Gordo, peaking at 260m (853 feet).[3]
[edit] Water features
Aguada's most important rivers are: Río Cañas, Río Culebra, Río Culebrinas, Río Grande, Río Guayabo, Río Ingenio and Caño Madre Vieja.
[edit] Cityscape
[edit] Barrios
There are 18 "barrios" or wards in Aguada:
- Aguada Pueblo
- Asomante
- Atalaya
- Carrizal
- Cerro Gordo
- Cruces
- Espinar
- Guanábano
- Guaniquilla
- Guayabo
- Jagüey
- Lagunas
- Mal Paso
- Mamey
- Marías
- Naranjo
- Piedras Blancas
- Río Grande
[edit] Tourism
Some of the landmarks and places of interest in Aguada are:
- Aguada Museum located in a former railroad station building.
- Coloso Sugar Cane Refinery
- La Cruz de Culebrinas
- Hermitage of Espinar
- Pico de Piedra Beach
- Loma Linda Stables
- San Francisco de Asís Parish
- Aguada transmission station, the tallest man-made structure in Puerto Rico.
[edit] Culture
Some of the festivals and celebrations held in Aguada are:
- Noche de San Juan Festival - June
- Chopa Festival - August
- Juey Festival - October
- San Francisco de Asis Patron Festivities - October
- Artesans Fair - November
Also, every year in the month of November, a parade called "La Parada del Descubrimento" (Discovery Day Parade) is celebrated to remember the discovery of Puerto Rico by Columbus. In this parade the people walk from the Catholic church to the Cross of Columbus next to the beach in Guaniquilla.
[edit] Economy
Aguada had a strong agriculture industry relying on sugar cane.
[edit] Demographics
| Racial - (self-defined) Aguada, Puerto Rico - 2010 Census[4] |
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|---|---|---|
| Race | Population | % of Total |
| White | 36,350 | 86.6% |
| Black/African American | 2,226 | 5.3% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native |
129 | 0.3% |
| Asian | 22 | 0.1% |
| Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander |
0 | 0.0% |
| Some other race | 2,222 | 5.3% |
| Two or more races | 1,010 | 2.4% |
[edit] Government
[edit] Mayors
All municipalities in Puerto Rico are administered by a mayor, elected every four years. The current mayor of Aguada is Luis Alberto Echevarría, of the New Progressive Party (PNP). He was elected at the 2004 general elections.
This is a list of registered and known mayors of Aguada, until present time.
| Years | Mayor | Political Party |
|---|---|---|
| 1921 - 1928 | Manuel Ruiz Gonzalez | |
| 1928 - 1932 | Carlos Gonzalez | |
| 1932 - 1936 | Efigenio Charneco | |
| 1936 - 1940 | Femando Rivera | |
| 1940 - 1944 | Andres Carrero | |
| 1944 - 1948 | Juan Villarrubia Santiago | PPD |
| 1948 - 1960 | Manuel Egipciaco | PPD |
| 1960 - 1968 | Juan Figueroa Gonzalez | PPD |
| 1968 - 1972 | Julio C. Roman Gonzalez | PNP |
| 1972 - 1976 | Mabel Velez de Acevedo | PPD |
| 1976 - 2000 | Julio C. Roman Gonzalez (Yuyo) | PNP |
| 2000 - 2004 | Miguel A. Ruiz Hernandez (Miguelito) | PPD |
| 2004 - | Luis A. Echevarria Santiago (Berty) | PNP |
[edit] Senate
The city belongs to the Puerto Rico Senatorial district IV, which is represented by two Senators. In 2008, Luis Daniel Muñiz and Evelyn Vázquez were elected as District Senators.[5]
[edit] Symbols
[edit] Flag
Aguada's flag was designed by Pedro Vélez Adróvar. It features three main colors: white, red, and yellow. White represents purity and the waters of Culebrinas River. Over the white field, a blue triangle with a blue dove is featured. The dove is the symbol of peace that unites the towns. Red symbolizes the martyrdom of Franciscan friars from Espinal. Over the red field, there's a cross which represents the birth of Christianity in Puerto Rico. The name of "Aguada" is also above the cross. The yellow field represents happiness and hospitality of the residents. Over the yellow field, there's a star which symbolizes the hope of the town for more development and progress.
[edit] Coat of Arms
The coat of arms was given to the city after King Charles III elevated it to "villa" through royal decree on January 14, 1778. Its symbols represent several aspects of history, religion and culture. The cross, with the interlaced arms of Christ and Father Saint Francis is taken from the badge of the Order of Friars Minor. It represents the motto "Pax et Bonum", which means "peace and good will between man and the Redeemer". The sun below the cross symbolizes the light that brightens the world. The lower part of the shield consists of five ships that symbolize the second voyage of Christopher Columbus, who allegedly arrived at the western "Guaniquilla" coast on November 19, 1493 to gather water. Although the precise location is disputed, the Aguada wells is a plausible site for the actual event. The mural crown in the upper part of the shield signifies the title "Muy Leal Villa" (very loyal village), that was given to this town by King Charles III in 1778. The official colors of the shield are: red, which stands for the fraternal love in Aguada; gold, for the Spanish royalty in Puerto Rico; green, for the island's hope and fertility; black, for the wooden beam of the cross; blue, for the sky and the kingship of God; and white, for Christ's purity and the purity of the people of the town toward the cultural patrimony.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL1.CY07&prodType=table
- ^ Fuson, Robert (2000). Juan Ponce De Leon and the Spanish Discovery of Puerto Rico and Florida. Blacksburg, Virginia: McDonald & Woodward. p. 79. ISBN 0939923923.
- ^ Aguada on SalonHogar.com
- ^ Fact Finder on U.S. Census Bureau
- ^ Elecciones Generales 2008: Escrutinio General on CEEPUR
- ^ "Banderas y escudos municipales" (Flags and Municipal Shields) by Anisa Productions Inc.
