| Corozal, Puerto Rico | |||
 |
|||
|
|||
| Nickname(s): La Cuna del Voleibol", "Los Plataneros | |||
 |
|||
| Country | United States | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Territory | Puerto Rico | ||
| Founded | 1795 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Hon. Roberto Hernández Vélez (PNP) | ||
| - Senatorial dist. | 6 - Guayama | ||
| - Representative dist. | 28 | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 42.1 sq mi (109 km2) | ||
| - Land | 42.1 sq mi (109 km2) | ||
| - Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) | ||
| Population (2000) | |||
| - Total | 36,867 | ||
| - Density | 921.8/sq mi (355.9/km2) | ||
| - Gentilic | Corozaleños | ||
| Time zone | AST (UTC-4) | ||
| Anthem – "Salve Perla de Sabana" | |||
Corozal /koro'sal/ is a municipality (municipio) of Puerto Rico located in the central-eastern region, north of Orocovis and Barranquitas; south Vega Alta; southwest of Toa Alta; east of Morovis and Orocovis; and west of Naranjito. Corozal is spread over 12 wards and Corozal Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city). It is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The city name is derived from the "palma de corozo" (grugru palm, Acrocomia media) which abounds in the central zone of the Island.
Contents |
History
Corozal's local Taino Indian Cacique (Chief) was named Orocobix and his tribe was known as the Jatibonicu Taino.
Corozal was founded in 1795 and officially became a town in 1804. Commonly known as La Cuna del Volibol or Volleyball's Crib. It takes its name from the "palma de corozo" (Acrocomia media). Its population as of the 2000 census was 36,867, and it has a land area of 110.3 km2 (43 sq mi).
Flag
Consists of three horizontal stripes of equal width, yellow the top, green the middle and blue the bottom, and in some instances the middle stripe could have embroidered or printed the Coat Of Arms
Coat of Arms
On a gold background three Corozo Palms, with clusters in their original color, planted on a green landscape and in front of a mountain range. At the bottom, blue and silver water waves sprinkled with gold nuggets. The three towercrown is gold with black stones.
Demographics
Barrios (Districts/Wards)[1]
|
|
|
Geo/Topography
- Rivers are: Río Cibuco, Río Corozal, Río de los Negros and Río Grande de Manatí.
- Jacinta Ravine.
- Caverna de los Quintero.
Economic
Agriculture
One of Puerto Rico's major plaintain producers. New small businesses producing eggs and hydrophonic crops (lettuce, recao) are emerging.
Business
Crafts, Artisans, services. Several manufacture enterprises have reduced or moved operations in recent years.
Tourism
Corozal is home to the Historical Center of Cibuco, a park and museum with relics from the puertorican natives (Tainos) as well as objects, paintings and artifacts from the town's history.
Local interest: El Balalaika is a cafeteria / liquor store which opened its doors around 1878 and hasn't been closed since, with the exceptions of Hurricane Hugo and the occasional political elections. It's where author/ songwriter/ vocalist/ poetist and Space Pirate Gollo Costra was born and raised. It also serves as a Municipal Police Outpost.
Landmarks and places of interest
- El Rancho Recreation Center
Festivals and events
- Patron Festivities - January
- Corozal Carnival - June
- San Juan Bautista Carnival - June
- Plantain Festival - September
- Corozo Festival - October
Education
The Public High Schools are Escuela Superior Emilio R. Delgado, near Corozal's downtown at road 159, and Escuela Superior Porfirio Cruz García High School in Barrio Cuchillas at road 568. The private high school is Colegio Sagrada Familia in Barrio Pueblo at road 807.
Sports
Volleyball
Male - Plataneros (2008 national champions) (LVSM)
Female - Pinkin de Corozal (2008 national champions) LVSF
Swimming
The Gold Fish Swim Team for kids and youth and a new Master's Swim Team created in 2008 under the direction of Arlene Ortiz.
References
External links
Books about Corozal
"Rosa Melchocho Grande" By: Albert J. Laforte Resto (AnasaZi)
"Como triunfar alrededor de las palmas de corozo y cerca de el medianito" por Pancho Rabia
"Bubu, un canino de mitos y leyendas (Un dia de Perro (titulo Mexico))" por Gollo Costra
Notable "Corozaleños"
* Von Marie Santos * Eddie A. Perez - mayor of Hartford, Connecticut * Sixto Febus, artist-painter * Ramón Luis Acevedo, Professor of Hispanic Studies at the University of Puerto Rico and current member of the Academia Puertorriqueña de la Lengua Española * Rafael López Acevedo, writer * Emilio R. Delgado, poet and journalist that emigreted to Spain and escaped Franco's execution order. * Aned Y. Muñiz Gracia, Award-winning professor and writer
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
