Rincón, Puerto Rico
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Rincón, Puerto Rico | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
| Nickname(s): "El Pueblo de los Bellos Atardeceres", "Los Surfers", "El Pueblo del Surfing" | |
| Anthem: "Rincón es mi pueblo querido" | |
 Location of Rincón in Puerto Rico | |
| Country | United States |
| Territory | Puerto Rico |
| Founded | 1771 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Hon. Carlos López Bonilla (PPD) |
| • Senatorial dist. | 4 - Mayagüez |
| • Representative dist. | 18 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 29.4 sq mi (76.12 km2) |
| • Land | 13.9 sq mi (36 km2) |
| • Water | 15.5 sq mi (40.12 km2) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 15,200 |
| • Density | 520/sq mi (200/km2) |
| Demonym | Rinconeños |
| Time zone | UTC-4 (AST) |
| zip | 00677 |
| Website | rinconpr.net [1] |
Rincón (Spanish pronunciation: [riŋˈkon]) is a municipality of Puerto Rico founded in 1771 by Don Luis de Añasco (Founder of Añasco in 1733). It is located in the Western Coastal Valley, west of Añasco and Aguada. Rincón is spread over 9 wards and Rincón Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city). It is part of the Aguadilla-Isabela-San Sebastián Metropolitan Statistical Area.
It is home to many of the best surfing beaches in Puerto Rico, including Domes, Marias, Tres Palmas, Sandy Beach, Pools Beach, and Rincon Town Beach Plaza. It is also home to many calm, clear Caribbean beaches including Córcega Beach.
The word "Rincón" means corner. Rincón is on the North Western Part of Puerto Rico.[1]
Geography
- Gorges: Caflo García, Grande de Calvache (longest), Los Ramos, Piletas, Punta Ensenada.
- River: Río Grande
Economy
The 1968 World Surfing Championship was held at Domes Beach in Rincon. Since then, surfers from around the world have been visiting Rincon in search of the perfect wave. Now Rincon has a thriving tourism economy which also boasts world class scuba diving, snorkeling, and beautiful sunsets. Rincon has also been a favorite area for Internet based companies to set up shop.
In 2007, Rincon hosted the ISA World Masters where local surfer Juan Ashton won 1st place in the Masters division.
Agriculture
Fruit and sugar cane. Cattle ranching.
Industry
In Rincón the major industry is tourism. There is much to do in Rincón such as surfing, snorkeling, horse back riding and going to the beach.[2] This is why most of the stores cater to tourists. You'll find that many people speak English in Rincón.
Rincón was the site of a small nuclear reactor plant in the 1960s, that was subsequently closed and claimed clean. In the 1980s, the U.S. government reportedly performed more cleaning, and there are now plans to open it to the public as a museum.[citation needed] It was Puerto Rico's only nuclear reactor.
Tourism
Landmarks and places of interest
- Domes Beach
- María's Beach
- Steps Beach
- Macor by the Sea
- Sailing
- Balneario de Rincón
- Punta Higüeras Light was built by the Spaniards in the early 1890s and rebuilt after an earthquake in 1921. This working lighthouse uses an unmanned 26,000-candlepower rotating beacon.
- Rincón Pottery: Working studio and gallery in Cruces, Rincón. Offers "Hands on Clay" workshops.
- Bonus Nuclear Plant
- Tres Palmas Coral Reef Reserve
- Surf Town
- The Spanish Wall
- Rincon Skate Park (indoor SK8 street course)
Culture
Surfing
Rincon is well known as a place to surf. What put Rincón on the map was the 1968 World Surfing Championship, held at Domes and Maria's Beaches. The winter surf along Rincón's coast is some of the best in the region. Generally regarded as one of the best surf spots across the globe, Rincón draws surfers from around the world. Rincón is the center of the island surf scene. Dubbed the "Caribbean's Hawaii," winter waves here can approach 25–30 feet (6.7m) in height, sometimes equaling the force of the surf on Oahu's north shore. Famed surfing beaches in town include Little Malibu, Tres Palmas, Maria's, Indicators, Domes, Pools, Sandy Beach and Antonio's. The best time to surf is from November through March, but summer storms can also kick up the surf during the late summer.
Festivals and events
- Whale Festival - March
- Rincón International Film Festival 2011: April 12–16
- Coconut Festival - May
- Feast of the Patron Saint, Santa Rosa de Lima - August
- Triatlon and Triatlon Caribbean Cup
- Numerous Surfing Championships
- Local Band (Reggae and Latin Rock)
Government
Like all municipalities in Puerto Rico, Rincón is administered by a mayor. The current mayor is Carlos López Bonilla, from the Popular Democratic Party (PPD). López was elected at the 2000 general election.
The city belongs to the Puerto Rico Senatorial district IV, which is represented by two Senators. In 2012, María Teresa González and Gilberto Rodríguez were elected as District Senators.[3]
Symbols
Flag
Created and Designed by Mr. Evaristo Cardona Moreno and Art performed by Jose Luis Cardona Martinez (his eldest son). The central white star represents the urban zone. The surrounding nine stars represent the nine wards of the municipality. The red and orange colors symbolize the vigor and the vitality of the city. The yellow represents Christianity. The green represents vegetation and the hope of the progress of the municipality. Finally, the white represents purity and the unity between the wards and the urban zone.
Coat of arms
Created and designed by Mr. Angel L. Cardona Moreno.The shield consists of a green and orange Spanish blazon, with a yellow band inclined left to right. To the right and on a green background a cross, symbol of Christendom. To the left and on an orange background a Spanish ship, symbol of the discovery of Puerto Rico, in the coasts of Rincón (this is greatly disputed, as the towns of Aguada, Rincón, and Añasco all claim entry-point status).
