Barranquitas, Puerto Rico
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| Barranquitas, Puerto Rico | |||
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| — Town and Municipality — | |||
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| Nickname(s): Cuna de Próceres", "Cuna Feria de Artesanías", "El Altar de la Patria", "El Pueblo de Luis Muñoz Rivera | |||
| Anthem: "Aquí en el centro de nuestra tierra" | |||
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| Coordinates: 18°11′12″N 66°18′23″W / 18.18667°N 66.30639°WCoordinates: 18°11′12″N 66°18′23″W / 18.18667°N 66.30639°W | |||
| Country | United States | ||
| Territory | Puerto Rico | ||
| Founded | 1803 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Mayor | Hon. Francisco "Paco" López (PNP) | ||
| • Senatorial dist. | Guayama | ||
| • Representative dist. | 27 | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 33.21 sq mi (86.01 km2) | ||
| • Land | 33 sq mi (86 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.004 sq mi (.01 km2) | ||
| Population (2010) | |||
| • Total | 30,318 | ||
| • Density | 910/sq mi (350/km2) | ||
| Demonym | Barranquiteños | ||
| Time zone | AST (UTC-4) | ||
| Zip code | 00794 | ||
Barranquitas (Spanish pronunciation: [baraŋˈkitas]) is a small mountain town located in the central region of Puerto Rico, south of Corozal and Naranjito; north of Coamo and Aibonito; west of Comerío and Cidra; and east of Orocovis. Barranquitas is spread over 6 wards and Barranquitas Pueblo (the downtown area and the administrative center of the city). It is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Barranquitas is about one hour by winding roads from San Juan, the capital. It is nestled amid hills and mountains, and nearby, between Barranquitas and Aibonito, is located the "cañón de San Cristóbal" (Canyon of San Cristopher); one of the deepest canyons in the Indies. For years, the overlook was used as a municipal garbage; in the last decade, the refuse was removed and the site restored.
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[edit] History
Barranquitas's local Taino Indian Cacique (Chief) was called Orocobix and his yucayeque or tribe was known as the Jatibonicu Taino.
The town was founded in 1803 by Antonio Aponte Ramos.
Early in the 20th century, Barranquitas residents, known as Barranquiteños, had a short but legendary territory war with residents of the city of Comerío.
[edit] Geography
The Municipality of Barranquitas sits on the middle of the Cordillera Central of Puerto Rico, which is the main mountain range that crosses the island from west to east. It is bordered by the municipalities of Corozal, Naranjito, Coamo, Aibonito, Orocovis, and Comerío. Barranquitas has a surface area of 34 square miles (88.4 km2).
The terrain is mostly mountainous. Some of the peaks found in the municipality are La Torrecilla and Farallón. Barranquitas is also the site of the San Cristóbal Canyon.
[edit] Water features
The following rivers pass through Barranquitas: Río de Barranquitas, Río Grande de Manatí, Río de la Plata, Piñonas, Río Hondo, and Río Usabón.
[edit] Cityscape
[edit] Barrios
The municipality of Barranquitas is divided into eight barrios.[1]
- Barrancas
- Barranquitas Pueblo
- Cañabón
- Helechal
- Honduras
- Palo Hincado
- Quebrada Grande
- Quebradillas
[edit] Tourism
[edit] Landmarks
Barranquitas is the burial place of two prominent Puerto Rican politicians, Luis Muñoz Rivera (who was born in town) and his son, Governor Luis Muñoz Marín (who was born in San Juan). This has made Barranquitas a popular tourist attraction among Puerto Ricans. The birthplace of Muñoz Rivera has been turned into a museum. The mausoleum of the Muñoz Rivera family is another place of interest. Among those buried there are Muñoz Rivera and his parents, Muñoz Marín, and his wife Inés Mendoza.
Other known places of interest in Barranquitas are the San Cristóbal Canyon (or gorge), and the ruins of Hacienda Grande. El Cortijo Castle is an old, historical structure, which is currently privately owned. Also, Camp Morton is a popular spot for activities and retirements.
[edit] Culture
[edit] Festivals and events
Among the annual festivities celebrated in Barranquitas are the Festival de la Vega, held in May. Also, the festivities in honor of Saint Anthony of Padua, the town's patron saint, are held in June. There's also an annual artisans fair held in July.
[edit] Sports
Barranquitas has no professional sports teams, but there are some amateur sports teams based in the city.
[edit] Economy
[edit] Agriculture
Some of the crops grown in Barranquitas are coffee, fruits, and vegetables.
[edit] Industry
Barranquitas manufacturers include footwear and clothing.
[edit] Demographics
Among Puerto Ricans on the island, people born in Barranquitas are known to be "good looking"[citation needed]. Most of the Puerto Ricans born in the town are known to have light-colored eyes and have strong European features. Many also have an apparent mestizo look to them. The reason for this phenomenon is due to the migration of many Taino Indians during the Spanish colonization. Many Tainos fled to the mountainous region to escape slavery. Many poor Spanish and other European immigrants moved to this region as well and settled as coffee growers. Eventually, the Taino and European immigrants intermarried and created what is called the "mestizo".
[edit] Government
All municipalities in Puerto Rico are administered by a mayor, elected every four years. The current mayor of Barranquitas is Francisco López, of the New Progressive Party (PNP). He was elected at the 1996 general elections.
The city belongs to the Puerto Rico Senatorial district VI, which is represented by two Senators. In 2008, Carlos Torres Torres and Antonio Soto Díaz were elected as District Senators.[2]
[edit] Education
All schools in Puerto Rico are administered by the Puerto Rico Department of Education. The schools located in Barranquitas are the following:[3]
