Aguada, Puerto Rico

Aguada, Puerto Rico
Flag of Aguada, Puerto Rico Flag
Nickname(s):  La Villa de Sotomayor", "Villa de San Francisco de Asís de la Aguada", "El Pueblo Playero", "La Ciudad del Vaticano
Location within the island of Puerto Rico Location within the island of Puerto Rico
Country	United States
Territory	Puerto Rico
Founded	1739
Government
• Mayor	Hon. Luis A. "Berty" Echevarria (PNP)
Population  (2000)
• Total	42,042
• Gentilic	Aguadeños
Time zone	UTC-4 (AST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4
Website	http://www.aguadapuertorico.com
Anthem - "Muchos siglos han pasado"

Aguada (pronounced as IPA: [/aγ'wa.da] in Spanish and as IPA: [ˌæˈgwɑ:də] in English) is a municipality of Puerto Rico, located in the Costal Valley of the West region bordering the Atlantic Ocean, west of Rincón, Aguadilla and Moca; and north to Anasco. Aguada's population is spread over 17 wards and Aguada Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city).

Flag

File:Aguada.gif

Coat of Arms

Aguada (literally: water-station or to water) - The shield of Aguada is the seal that the Municipal Government officially uses. It was given to the "Villa de San Francisco de Asís de la Aguada" by the Royal Bill of Grace of January 14 1778, by King Charles III. With it, they recognized the personality of the "Villa" as part of the Island of San Juan Bautista de Puerto Rico. It carries then symbols of history, religion and culture. The cross, with the interlaced arms of the Redeemer and our Father Saint Francis, signifies the badge of the Order of Lesser Frays of San Francisco, which means: "peace and fraternal hug between man and the Redeemer". The sun below the cross symbolizes the light that brightens the world. He who believes in Light and in Truth shall not be blind forever. The lower part of the shield consists of five Columbine ships that symbolize the second voyage of Christopher Columbus, who arrived to our island on November 19 1493, by the "Guaniquilla' coast, where he calmed his thirst in the Aguada wells. (Very contested, but probably the most plausible site of the actual landing). 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 the Royal Bill of Grace of January 14 1778. The official colors of the shield are: red, which stands for the fraternal love that kindles all Aguada; gold stands for the Spanish royalty in Puerto Rico; green stands for our land's hope and fertility; black's the beam that redeemed the world; blue's the sky and the kingship of the Creator; white's the Redeemer's purity and the purity of our people toward the cultural patrimony.

History

It is popularly held that Christopher Columbus landed in Aguada when he discovered Puerto Rico in November 1493. Aguadilla also makes this claim. While there is no specific historical proof, it is known that many of the first attempts to set up a town on the island were in Aguada. Aguada was named Villa de Sotomayor. Aguada became a stopover point for ships on their way to Spain from South America. On 1737, the King of Spain declared that all mail on route to Venezuela and other South America countries from Puerto Rico must exit from Aguada's ports, leading to the area's economic growth.

Barrios (Districts/Wards)

Aguada Pueblo Asomante Atalaya Carrizal Cerro Gordo Cruces

Espinar Guanábano Guaniquilla Guayabo Jagüey Lagunas

Mal Paso Mamey Marías Naranjo Piedras Blancas Río Grande

Geography

Aguada's most important rivers are: Cañas, Culebra, Culebrinas, Grande, Guayabo, Ingenio and Madre Vieja.

Anthem

By Rolando Acevedo Lorenzo

Muchos siglos han pasado... ¡Por Aguada fue!
Terminando el Siglo Quince, en el noventa y trés.
¡Aquí fue! ¡Sí señor! ¡Aquí fue!
¡Noviembre diecinueve, por Aguada fue!

Por tus playas entró la Luz de Cristo Redentor.
Por tus playas llegó la Lengua del Conquistador.
Con la Cruz, del Señor el Amor;
y con el Castellano el verbo ardiente y creador.

Tienes la Ermita de Espinar, donde a los Frailes se inmoló,
teniendo así el honor de ser, primeros Mártires de Dios.
¡Y aquí fue; y así fue que surgió
el Génesis Isleño; Villa de Sotomayor!

Aguadilla, San Sebastián, Moca y el pueblo de Rincón;
¡tus hijos son!; ¡tus hijos son!
Por eso en la historia serás faro de luz, piedra angular
y en este cielo de Borinquen, con luz propia brillarás.
¡Y en este cielo de Borinquen, con luz propia brillarás!

Agriculture

Caña de azucar (Coloso)

Tourism

The restaurant at the far end of the island (on the West coast in Aguada to be exact) is called Platano Loco -- The Crazy Plantain -- and it, indeed, serves a plantain sandwich. Along with plantain dumpling soup, plantain pizza, plantain Parmesan, plantain burgers and spaghetti with a plantain sauce.

Landmarks and places of interest

Coloso Sugar Cane Refinery

• Aguada Museum located in a former railroad station building.
• Coloso Sugar Cane Refinery
• La Cruz de Culebrinas
• Hermitage del Pinar
• Pico de Piedra Beach
• Loma Linda Stables
• San Francisco de Asís Parish

Festivals and events

• Noche de San Juan Festival - June
• Chopa Festival - August
• Juey Festival - October
• San Francisco de Asis Patron Festivities - October
• Artesans Fair - November

Notable "Aguadeños"

• Reverend Raul Villanueva Torres - Pastor, Poet, Patriot
• Ismael Miranda - Salsa Singer
• Juan B. Soto - Philosopher
• Perez Lorenzo Family, Notable Military Patriots
• Juan B. Arrílloga Roqué - Politician
• Flores Negrón Rodriguez - Artisan
• Otilia Ruiz Perez - Artisan
• Carlos Gonzalez, MD.
• Valentin Gonzales- Professional Stylist, Cowboy, Sportman (known for the Famous Unamgu Fun Run)
• Negrón Family
• Andres Perez Aviles, Pastor (Iglesia Carismatica), Musician, missionary, and Patriot
• Sisco Lorenz - Benefactor, Composer and Businessman, Patriot
• Willie Hernandez- former MLB pitcher and winner of the 1984 American League MVP and Cy Young Awards.

Antonio Santiago Aviles: great poet Antonio Sanchez Ruiz Alcalde Historico de Aguada 1898

External links

• Welcome to Puerto Rico Aguada
• Link to Puerto Rico Aguada
• Map of Aguada Puerto Rico
• AguadaWeb

18°22′46″N 67°11′18″W