Maricao, Puerto Rico
- "Maricao" redirects here. For the tree, see Byrsonima spicata.
Maricao, Puerto Rico | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s): Pueblo de las Indieras, Ciudad del Monte del Estado, Ciudad de Leyenda y Romance, Tierra del Café | |
| Location within the island of Puerto Rico Location within the island of Puerto Rico | |
| Country | United States |
| Territory | Puerto Rico |
| Founded | April 10, 1874 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Hon. Gilberto Pérez Valentín |
| • Senatorial dist. | 5 - Ponce |
| • Representative dist. | 21 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 37.1 sq mi (96.0 km2) |
| • Land | 37 sq mi (96 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 6,282 |
| • Density | 170/sq mi (67/km2) |
| • Gentilic | Maricaeños |
| Time zone | UTC-4 (AST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 |
| Anthem – "Sobre las verdes altura" | |
Maricao (mah-ree-KOU) is the second-least populous municipality of Puerto Rico located at the western edge of the Cordillera Central. It is a small town set around a small plaza in hilly terrain, north of San Germán, Saban Grande and Yauco; south of Las Marías and Lares, southeast of Mayagüez, and west of Adjuntas. Maricao is spread over 15 wards and Maricao Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city).
The town borders the Maricao Fish Hatchery, a collection of tanks and ponds in a garden setting, where some 25,000 fish are raised yearly to stock farm fishponds and island lakes. The hatchery is part of the Maricao State Forest, also known as Monte del Estado. Though of dryer vegetation than the other mountain forest, Maricao is home to large number of bird species. Its stone observation tower provides far-flung views to the coast and the Mona Passage.
Maricao has a 2000 census population of 6,449. It has a land area of 94.87 km2 (37 sq mi).[1]
History
Maricao was founded on April 10, 1874 when Bernardo Collado, Julián Ayala, Francisco M. Sojo, Napoleón Pietri and Leoncio S. Martínez requested the Provincial Deputation authorization to establish an official town. It originally belonged to the district of San Germán, but they alleged the roads were too long and almost impassable. Their request made references to a parish already established in 1866.
During the 19th Century coffee boom, Maricao and other regions surged economically. When the spurt of coffee in the island ended by the start of the 20th Century, the economic conditions deteriorated again. Many of the old plantation houses have been converted in museums to stimulate the tourism industry. While Puerto Rico still has a niche in the gourmet coffee market, the large scale coffee growing which built Maricao is no longer economically feasible.
Symbols
Flag
The flag of Maricao derives its colors, design and symbolism from the municipal shield. It consists of a green cloth, with the three usual dimensions of the municipal flags of Puerto Rico, crossing from an end to another a yellow band with three points. The color green symbolizes the vegetation of the municipality and the yellow band symbolizes the mountains of the region.
Coat of Arms
In a silver field, resides an inverted "V"-shaped green band. Contained in the band are five golden huts. To either side and below the band are a total of three Maricao (Byrsonima spicata) tree branches with flowers. Surrounding the shield below and to either side are two coffee tree branches. Above it is placed a gold mural crown with three towers outlined in black with green doors and windows.
Name
The origin of its name has two versions. It is said to come from the name of the Maricao tree (Byrsonima spicata) which has yellow flowers and grows in the region. The second version is a leyend about a Taíno woman called María that, during the Spanish colonization, fell in love with a Spanish soldier. She informed him of an attack planned by her tribe and the Spanish soldiers took the offensive. Still, María was taken prisoner by her people and trialed for treason. As was the tradition, she was tied to a tree and sacrificed her. Allegedly "cao" means "sacrifice" so, Maricao means "María's sacrifice".
Geography
The region is mildly mountainous and belongs to the Western portion of the Cordillera Central.
Cityscape
Barrios
The city of Maricao is itself sub-divided into several barrios (wards/districts):
- Bucarabones
- Indiera Alta
- Indiera Baja
- Indiera Fría
- Maricao Afuera
- Maricao Pueblo
- Montoso
Culture
Tourism
Due to its importance as a coffee plantation in the past, Maricao has several haciendas that have been turned into museums. For example, Hacienda Delicias and Hacienda Juanita. Other places for tourists to visit are the Bambúa Recreational Center and the Maricao Fish Nursery. Some natural spots to visit are the Monte del Estado forest reserve, the Prieto Lake and the Salto de Curet (a waterfall).
Festivals and events
Maricao's Fiestas Patronales are held in June. Other traditional festivals held at the city are the End of the Coffee Harvest Festival.
Economy
For decades, Maricao's economy has relied in agriculture, specifically coffee plantations. Fruits and vegetables are also grown on the town. In recent decades, manufacturing has also played an important part in the town's economy. Some of the factories established in town fabricate surgical equipment. Tourism has also played an important role in the town's economy.
Demographics
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1899 | 8,312 | — |
| 1910 | 7,158 | −13.9% |
| 1920 | 8,291 | +15.8% |
| 1930 | 6,463 | −22.0% |
| 1940 | 7,724 | +19.5% |
| 1950 | 7,403 | −4.2% |
| 1960 | 6,990 | −5.6% |
| 1970 | 5,991 | −14.3% |
| 1980 | 6,737 | +12.5% |
| 1990 | 6,206 | −7.9% |
| 2000 | 6,449 | +3.9% |
Demographic distribution
Racial distribution |
According to the 2000 census, Maricao is the second least populous municipality in Puerto Rico, above the island municipality of Culebra, with 6,449 inhabitants. The population of the town has decreased during the past decades perhaps due to the decline in coffee production and the deteriorating economy. In 1899, the population was 8,312. The current population density is 174.2 people per square mile (67.0/km²).
As a whole, Puerto Rico is comprised mainly of people from a Creole (born on the Island of European descent) or Spanish and European descent, with small groups of African and Asian people. Statistics taken from the 2000 census shows that 90.3% of Maricaeños have Spanish or White origin, 3.0% are black, 0.2% are Amerindian etc.
Government
Maricao's first mayor was Juan Ferrer y Arnijas, whose term ran from 1874 to 1876. The current mayor is Gilberto Pérez Valentín, who was elected for a fourth consecutive term on 2008.
Education
Maricao counts with several public and private schools distributed through several regions. Public education is handled by the Puerto Rico Department of Education.
Transportation
There is no direct highway connection to Maricao. Roads #119 and #120 lead from the north, while Roads #121 and 105 lead from the south. Maricao lies at about 3 hours from the capital of San Juan.
