Río Piedras, Puerto Rico

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The University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras campus. Its distinctive clock tower is a landmark of both the campus and Río Piedras.

Río Piedras is a former municipality now part of the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Founded in 1714, it has been the home of the University of Puerto Rico's main campus since 1903, earning the town the popular name of "Ciudad Universitaria" (University City). Rio Piedras was recognized as a municipality until 1951 when it was incorporated into the municipality of San Juan.

History

Río Piedras Cathedral

Río Piedras' origins go back to 1714 when a settlement along the shores of the Piedras river was recognized by Governor Juan de Rivera. Originally known as El Roble, it eventually adopted the name of the river that crossed its territory (Río Piedras in Spanish).

During the nineteenth Century, most of its territory was used for agricultural and livestock-raising purposes. Sugar cane, cotton and coffee were some of the goods produced during this era at the municipality.

On May 12, 1903 the University of Puerto Rico was founded in Río Piedras. The university was a central part of the development of Rio Piedras, both in housing and economically. Even though the campus covers a very small portion of the territory, it is considered the unofficial symbol of the old town. Currently, the Río Piedras Campus is recognized as the main campus in the University of Puerto Rico system. The Botanical Gardens of the University are also located at Río Piedras.

Annexation with San Juan

The municipality became part of the capital city of San Juan on July 1, 1951, after the approval of Project 177 of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico. By this, the territory of San Juan increased to four times its former size. The last mayor of the municipality of Río Piedras was Ángeles Méndez de López Corver.

Symbols

Flag

The flag of Río Piedras consists of a yellow cloth with a wavy blue stripe. The stripe has small white stones crossing it, and symbolizes the river that gives name to the former town. The yellow background represents the sun, progress, and the future.

Geography

The region is mostly plain due to its location in the Northern Coastal Plains of the island. The highest regions are located at the south, mainly in the Caimito and Cupey barrios. The Río Piedras (or Piedras River) which gives name to the area crosses the region.

Cityscape

Barrios

San Juan (yellow) and Rio Piedras (light gray) before annexation.

Río Piedras is divided itself into several barrios or districts:

• Caimito
• Cupey
• El Cinco
• Gobernador Piñero
• Hato Rey Central
• Hato Rey Norte
• Hato Rey Sur
• Monacillo
• Monacillo Urbano
• Oriente
• Río Piedras (pueblo)
• Quebrada Arenas
• Sabana Llana Norte
• Sabana Llana Sur
• Tortugo
• Universidad

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1910	18,880		—
1920	24,745		31.1%
1930	40,853		65.1%
1940	68,290		67.2%
1950	143,989		110.8%
1960	251,384		74.6%
1970	321,957		28.1%
1980	323,860		0.6%
1990	332,865		2.8%
2000	332,344		−0.2%

According to the 2000 census, Río Piedras had a population of 332,344. That is more than any municipality in Puerto Rico and 77% of the population of San Juan.

Government

Río Piedras first mayor was Juan de la Cruz in 1814. The last mayor of the municipality of Río Piedras was Ángeles Méndez de López Corver.

Education

Río Piedras is perhaps more known for being the site of the main campus of the University of Puerto Rico. Located in downtown Río Piedras, the university has more than 20,000 students enrolled and a faculty of more than 1,000.

Other universities located in what was known as Río Piedras are the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico and the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, Metropolitan Campus.

Río Piedras also counts with several public and private schools distributed through several regions. Public education is handled by the State Department of Education.

Transportation

Public transportation is enhanced by the Tren Urbano Metro system which has stations at the University's campus and at the center of Río Piedras. Even though the former are considered the current stations at Río Piedras, most stops of the train in the municipality of San Juan are located in areas that were part of the City of Río Piedras prior to 1951.

Culture

Paseo de Diego

At the heart of Río Piedras lies the Avenida José de Diego, a one-kilometer pedestrianized street with stores and shops. The Río Piedras Plaza del Mercado (Marketplace) is the largest of its kind on the island and features a series of shops that offer goods and services.

Ponce de León Avenue is popular with bookstores and small theaters and with students, faculty, and intellectuals in the community.

See also

• San Juan Botanical Garden

External links

• Map of Rio Piedras with current barrios