Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. This article has been tagged since March 2007. |
|
||||||
| Nickname: "Ciudad del "Melao Melao"" | ||||||
| Gentilic: "Vegabajeños" | ||||||
| Location | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||||
| Government | ||||||
| Founded | October 3, 1776 | |||||
| Mayor | Hon. Edgar Santana Rivera | |||||
| Political party | P.N.P | |||||
| Senatorial district | 3 - Arecibo | |||||
| Representative district | 12 | |||||
| Geographical characteristics | ||||||
| Area | ||||||
| Total | 144.28 km² | |||||
| Land | 122 km² | |||||
| Water | 22.28 km² | |||||
| Population | ||||||
| Total (2000) | 63,355 | |||||
| Density | 510.1/km² | |||||
| Time zone | AST (UTC-4) | |||||
| Anthem – "Más dulce que la miel es tu recuerdo" | ||||||
Vega Baja (VAI-gah BAH-hah) is a municipality in north central Puerto Rico located in northern coast, north of Morovis; east of Manatí; and west of Vega Alta. Vega Baja is spread over 13 wards and Vega Baja Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city).
Contents |
[edit] History
Vega Baja was founded in October 3, 1776 by Antonio Viera, with the name of "Vega-baxa del Naranjal de Nuestra Señora del Rosario".
"Cibuco", name of one of the rivers that carve its fertile lands, is a variation of the name "Sebuco", a chief or "Cacique" Taino indian of the region. These "cells" of Taino idians were known to settle in the vicinity of the rivers. Even though the "Cibuco" river is prone to floods due to heavy seasonal rains even to this day, the benefits given to the land by the river are numerous. The rich diversity of ocean life and reefs is evidence of how the nutrients provided by the "Cibuco" river are so beneficial.
Taino carvings have been found on the exposed reefs in the vicinity of the "Cibuco" river. Amongh these carvings, one depicting a face and others shaped as fish. They are an indication that these reefs were frequented for spear fishing and perhaps other day to day activities.
[edit] Flag
Vega Baja's flag consists of a yellow cloth, crossed by a green band. The band is relates to the fertile valley and the river.
[edit] Coat of Arms
The Vega Baja Coat of Arms has a v-shape green band, with overlapping roses in silver and three oranges tress, with fruits in gold. In the superior part a five tower crown, silverplated with black and green. The main colors of the shield; green and gold are used traditionally in civic, scholastic and sport activities. The crown five tower indicates that the town holds the rank of Villa by Royal Real Decree.
[edit] Demographics
[edit] Barrios (Districts/Wards)
|
|
|
tortugero amadeo vegabaja lakes ojo de agua
[edit] Geo/Topography
[edit] Anthem
Lirics: Adrián Santos Tirado Música por Roberto Sierra
Más dulce que la miel es tu recuerdo,
cuando lejos estoy, pueblo querido,
Mi alma te la envío en un suspiro,
y en viaje hacia el ensueño en ti me pierdo.
El agua de Cibuco es cual caricia
para mi alma sedienta de nostalgia,
y llego a un Puerto Nuevo cada día
donde es radiante el cielo y las espumas cantan.
Aún de los naranjales queda el oro
convertido en canción, arte y poesía;
y en la dulce colmena de tus calles se afana
el revuelo que vierten tus montes y sabanas.
No importa que me marche cazador de quimeras;
yo quiero caminar por tu calle infinita,
y dormir para siempre una tarde cualquiera
en la apacible cuna de tu tierra bendita.
[edit] Economic
[edit] Agriculture
- Pineapple sugar cane; Cattle) and manufacture.
[edit] Business
[edit] Industrial
- Clothing, leather articles; electrical and electronic equipment, machinery
Commercial Rug/Carpet Manufacture
The most prestigious commercial rug and carpet factory of the "New World" — V'Soske, located in "Pugnado Afuera".
[edit] Tourism
[edit] Landmarks and places of interest
- Casa Alonso Museum
- El Trece Recreational Area
- Fenix Theater
- Hall Of Fame
- House of Culture and Tourism
- Jorge Otero Military Museum
- Mar Chiquita
- Man of the Sugar Cane Monument
- Melao Melao Artisan Center
- Migrante Square
- Puerto Nuevo Recreational Area
- Tortuguero Lagoon
- Tortuguero Recreational Area
- Trinitarias Park
[edit] Festivals and events
Melao Melao Marathon - October
Matron Celebrations - October
Christmas Festival - December
"Blue Marlin" Fishing Tournament
[edit] Transportation
[edit] Education
[edit] Sports
"Blue Marlin" Fishing
Recreational boating and personal watercraft
[edit] Notable "Vegabajeños"
- Jorge Arraiza - Bajista de la banda Fiel A La Vega.
- Pedro Arraiza - Baterista de la banda Fiel A La Vega.
- Emiliano Martínez Avilés - Writer
- Facundo Rivera Natal - Poet
- José I. de Díego Padró - Poet
- Pedro Regalado de Diego González - Poet
- Rafael Balseiro Dávila - Pianista and composer.
- Rafael López Landrón - Writer
- Trina Padílla de Sanz - Storyteller and poet.
- Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez - Major League Baseball Player. (Multiple Golden Glove Recipient "Texas Rangers", MLB Champion with "Florida Marlins")
- Juan "Igor" Gonzalez - Major League Baseball Player.
- Ramon Castro - Major League Baseball Player
- Thomas Rosario Flores-Photographer and historian
- Thomas Jimmy Rosario Martinez-Lawyer, historian, founder of EL DIARIO VEGABAJENO
- Adrian Santos Tirado-Painter,Poet, Writer,Director of Escuela
- Julio "Yuyo" Melendez- Author and Educator
- Luis Melendez Cano, Politician, Mayor 32 years
- Ivan Hernandez Gonzalez, President Municipal Legislature
- Asterio Santos Portalatin-Politician and Educator
- Reinaldo del Valle Cruz-Former President Municipal Legislatura
- Roberto Sierra, Classic composer
- Carlos Ayes Suarez, Archeologist
- Luis de la Rosa Martinez (+) -Historian
- Sara Otero Joy- Writer
- Vitín Alicea Arévalo (fictional character)
- Pedro Brull - Travel Agency Business, Church Pastor, Painter
[edit] References
INTERNET SITES
EL DIARIO VEGABAJENO www.eldiariovb.com EL MELAITO www.elmelaitovb.com MUNICIPAL GOVMN www.vegabaja.gov.pr ARCHIVO HISTORICO www.vegabaja-pr.com
[edit] =Books about Vega Baja
VEGA BAJA SU HISTORIA Y CULTURA 1987 MUNICIPIO DE VEGA BAJA
