| Aguada, Puerto Rico | |||
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| Nickname(s): La Villa de Sotomayor", "Villa de San Francisco de Asís de la Aguada", "El Pueblo Playero", "La Ciudad del Vaticano | |||
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| Country | United States | ||
| Territory | Puerto Rico | ||
| Founded | 1508 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Hon. Luis A. "Berty" Echevarria (PNP) | ||
| Population (2000) | |||
| - Total | 42,042 | ||
| - Gentilic | Aguadeños | ||
| Time zone | AST (UTC-4) | ||
| Website | http://www.aguadapuertorico.com | ||
| Anthem - "Muchos siglos han pasado" | |||
Aguada (English pronunciation: /əˈɡwɑːdə/, Spanish: [aˈɣwaða]) is a municipality of Puerto Rico, located in the western coastal valley region bordering the Atlantic Ocean, west of Rincón, Aguadilla and Moca; and north of Anasco. It is part of the Aguadilla-Isabela-San Sebastián Metropolitan Statistical Area. Aguada's population is spread over 17 wards and Aguada Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city).
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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 unique identity 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 is taken from the badge of the Order of Friars Minor. It represents the motto "Pax et Bonum" -- peace and good will between man and the Redeemer. The sun below the cross symbolizes the light that brightens the world. The lower part of the shield consists of five Columbine ships that symbolize the second voyage of Christopher Columbus, who arrived at the western "Guaniquilla" coast on November 19, 1493 to gather water. Although the precise location is disputed, the Aguada wells is a plausible site for the actual event. 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, for the Spanish royalty in Puerto Rico; green, for the island's hope and fertility; black, for the wooden beam of the cross that redeemed the world; blue, for the sky and the kingship of the Creator; and white, for the Redeemer's purity and the purity of our people toward the cultural patrimony.[1]
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. In July 1510, Cristóbal de Sotomayor received control of the area from Juan Ponce de León and renamed the town Villa de Sotomayor. [2] 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. Every year in the month of November, La Parada del Descubrimento (Discovery Day Parade) is celebrated in Aguada. In this parade the people walk from the catholic church to the "Cross of Columbus" next to the beach in Guaniquilla.
Mayors
| List of Mayors: | |||||||
| Years | Mayors | Political Party | |||||
| 1921 - 1928 | Manuel Ruiz Gonzalez | ||||||
| 1928 - 1932 | Carlos Gonzalez | ||||||
| 1932 - 1936 | Efigenio Charneco | ||||||
| 1936 - 1940 | Femando Rivera | ||||||
| 1940 - 1944 | Andres Carrero | ||||||
| 1944 - 1948 | Juan Villarrubia Santiago | PPD | |||||
| 1948 - 1960 | Manuel Egipciaco | PPD | |||||
| 1960 - 1968 | Juan Figueroa Gonzalez | PPD | |||||
| 1968 - 1972 | Julio C. Roman Gonzalez | PNP | |||||
| 1972 - 1976 | Mabel Velez de Acevedo | PPD | |||||
| 1976 - 2000 | Julio C. Roman Gonzalez | PNP | |||||
| 2000 - 2004 | Miguel A. Ruiz Hernandez (Miguelito) | PPD | |||||
| 2004 - | Luis A. Echevarria Santiago (Berty) | PNP | |||||
The 2008 Election saw the first time a "Penepe" candidate won Mamey.
Barrios (Districts/Wards)[3]
There are 18 barrios in Aguada:
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Geography
Aguada's most important rivers are: Río Cañas, Río Culebra, Río Culebrinas, Río Grande, Río Guayabo, Río Ingenio and Caño Madre Vieja.
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
- 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
- Aguada transmission station, the tallest man-made structure in Puerto Rico.
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
References
- ^ "Banderas y escudos municipales" (Flags and Municipal Shields) by Anisa Productions Inc.
- ^ Fuson, Robert (2000). Juan Ponce De Leon and the Spanish Discovery of Puerto Rico and Florida. Blacksburg, Virginia: McDonald & Woodward. p. 79. ISBN 0939923923.
- ^ http://welcome.topuertorico.org/maps/aguada.pdf
External links
Coordinates: 18°22′46″N 67°11′18″W / 18.37944°N 67.18833°W
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