Lares, Puerto Rico
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| Lares, Puerto Rico | |||
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| — Municipality — | |||
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| Nickname(s): Ciudad del Grito", "Los Patriotas | |||
| Anthem: "En las verdes montañas de Lares" | |||
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| Coordinates: 18°17′42″N 66°52′43″W / 18.295°N 66.87861°WCoordinates: 18°17′42″N 66°52′43″W / 18.295°N 66.87861°W | |||
| Country | United States | ||
| Territory | Puerto Rico | ||
| Founded | April 26, 1827 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Mayor | Hon. Roberto Pagán Centeno (PNP) | ||
| • Senatorial dist. | 5 - Ponce | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 62.23 sq mi (161.18 km2) | ||
| • Land | 62 sq mi (161 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.07 sq mi (.18 km2) | ||
| Population (2010) | |||
| • Total | 30,753 | ||
| • Density | 490/sq mi (190/km2) | ||
| Demonym | Lareños | ||
| Time zone | AST (UTC-4) | ||
| Zip code | 00669, 00631 | ||
Lares (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈlaɾes]) is a small mountain municipality of Puerto Rico's central-western area located north of Maricao and Yauco; south of Camuy, east of San Sebastián and Las Marias; and west of Hatillo, Utuado and Adjuntas. Lares is spread over 10 wards and Lares Pueblo (Downtown Lares). It is part of the Aguadilla-Isabela-San Sebastián Metropolitan Statistical Area.
A city adorned with Spanish-era style churches and small downtown area stores, Lares is a breezy area that is about 1.5 hours from San Juan by car.
Lares has one major claim to fame: The 1868 uprising that happened there, brought on by pro-independence rebels who wanted Puerto Rico to gain its freedom from Spain. The movement, known thereafter as El Grito de Lares (literally, The Cry of Lares, or Lares Revolt), was soon extinguished, making Lares the site of the shortest-lived republic ever.
The flag of Lares is now considered by many Puerto Ricans to be their symbol of independence. Initially developed to represent the island's struggle to gain its emancipation from Spain, the flag is now used by those struggling to liberate the island from the United States.
Dolores Lebrón Sotomayor (November 19, 1919 – August 1, 2010) known as Lolita Lebrón was born in Lares. She is considered one of the greatest pro-independence patriots of Puerto Rico of all times.
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[edit] History
Lares was founded on April 26, 1827 by Francisco de Sotomayor and Pedro Vélez Borrero. The city was named after one of its settlers, Don Amador de Lariz, a Spanish nobleman.[1]
[edit] Flag
The origins of the municipality's flag can be traced back to the days of the failed 1868 revolt against Spanish rule known as the Grito de Lares. The flag is derived from the Dominican Republic flag of 1844-49 (reflecting the rebel leaders' dream to eventually join with the Dominican Republic and Cuba into one nation) and was knitted by Mariana Bracetti, a revolutionary leader, at the behest of Dr. Ramón Emeterio Betances, the revolt's leader, who designed it. This flag is formed by a white Latin cross in the center. The width of the arms and base are equal to a third part of the latitude of the emblem. It has two quadrilaterals located above and two below the arms of the cross. The superior (top) ones are blue and the inferior (bottom) ones red. A five point white star is located in the center of the left superior (top) quadrilateral.
[edit] Coat of Arms
A white cross is centered on and extends across the shield from side to side and top to bottom; it has blue top quadrants and red bottom quadrants; it has a five pointed white star in the upper left quadrant. A chain surrounds the shield. The Coat of Arms as described has positioned around it on a scroll and a ribbon in a semicircle the words: "Lares Ciudad del Grito." This constitutes the stamp of Lares and identifies unmistakably the municipality of Lares.
[edit] Barrios (Districts/Wards)
The following comprise the wards in the municipality of Lares[2]:
- Bartolo
- Buenos Aires
- Callejones
- Espino
- Lares
- Lares Pueblo
- La Torre
- Mirasol
- Pezuela
- Piletas
- Pueblo
- Río Prieto
[edit] Culture
[edit] Festivals and events
- Feast of the Three Kings - January
- Romantic Party - February
- Almojabana Festival - March
- Founding of Lares - April
- Handcrafted market - May
- Banana (Guineo) Festival - June
- Cultural World Contest - August
- Grito de Lares - September
- Bonsai Gathering - October
- Feast of the Patron Saint - December
[edit] cristobal cuevas
[edit] Landmarks and places of interest
- El Ayuntamiento de Castaner
- Hacienda Collazo
- Parque El Jíbaro
- Hacienda El Porvenir
- Heladería de Lares (ice cream parlor)
- Hacienda La Lealtad
[edit] Sports
Lares has a professional volleyball team called Patriotas de Lares (Lares Patriots) that have international players including: Brock Ullrich, Gregory Berrios, Ramon "Monchito" Hernandez, and Ariel Rodriguez. The Patriotas won 3 championships, in 1981, 1983 and 2002. In 1981 and 1983 they beat Corozal in the finals and in 2002 they beat Naranjito. Some of the Native playes were: David Vera 1979, Rigoberto Guiyoti 1979, Modesto 1980, Luis Vera 1980, Carlos Vera 1980,
[edit] Economy
Lares' economy is primarily agricultural. Harvested products include; bananas, coffee, oranges, and tomatoes.
Tourism also plays a significant role in the municipality's economy. The Heladeria de Lares (Lares Ice Cream Shop) is well known around Puerto Rico for its unorthodox selection of ice cream including; rice and beans ice cream.
[edit] Demographics
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Like most of the people of Puerto Rico, Lares people originated with the Taino Indians and later evolved with the African culture of slaves brought into Puerto Rico by the Spaniards. The Spaniards also influenced much of the Puerto Rican culture which explains the Spanish main dialect, and the Spanish arquitecture that surrounds the city. Since the Spaniards who came from Europe had a lot of influence from European cultures, you can see evidence of European art throughout the island as well.
[edit] Government
The mayor of Lares is a member of the Partido Nuevo Progresista (PNP). His name is Hon. Roberto Pagán Centeno.
The city belongs to the Puerto Rico Senatorial district V, which is represented by two Senators. In 2008, Luis Berdiel and Larry Seilhamer were elected as District Senators.[3]
[edit] Transportation
Puerto Rico State Route 111 runs through the town.
[edit] References
- ^ "History and foundation of Lares". Rootsweb.ancestry.com. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~prhgs/fundacion_lares_01.htm. Retrieved 2008-11-09.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Elecciones Generales 2008: Escrutinio General on CEEPUR
