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| Fajardo, Puerto Rico | |||
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| Nickname(s): Los Cariduros", "La Metrópolis del Sol Naciente | |||
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| Country | United States | ||
| Territory | Puerto Rico | ||
| Founded | 1772 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Hon. Aníbal Meléndez Rivera (NPP) | ||
| - Senatorial dist. | 8 - Carolina | ||
| - Representative;dist.-36 | {{{leader_name2}}} | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 60.4 sq mi (156.45 km2) | ||
| - Land | 31.3 sq mi (81 km2) | ||
| - Water | 29.1 sq mi (75.45 km2) | ||
| Population (2000) | |||
| - Total | 40,712 | ||
| - Density | 1,308.2/sq mi (505.1/km2) | ||
| - Gentilic | Fajardeños | ||
| Time zone | AST (UTC-4) | ||
| Anthem – "Fajardo que aquí en el oriente" | |||
Fajardo (fah-HAHR-do) is a small but popular city in Puerto Rico located in the east region of the island, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of Ceiba and east of Luquillo.Fajardo is spread over 7 wards and Downtown Fajardo (commonly called by the locals "Fajardo Pueblo"), which serves as the administrative center of the city. It is both a principal city of the Fajardo Metropolitan Statistical Area and the San Juan-Caguas-Fajardo Combined Statistical Area.
Fajardo is the hub of the majority of recreational boating in Puerto Rico and a popular launching port to Culebra, Vieques, and the American and British Virgin Islands. It is also the home to the largest Marina in the Caribbean, called Puerto del Rey. The town contains various hotels and inns.
Off shore, near Fajardo, few islets can be found. These are Icacos, Palominos, Palominito, and Diablo, among other uninhabited coral islands.
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History
Fajardo was founded in 1760 by Codey Astol, a Spanish governor. It was originally named Codey Astol de fajardo.
Fajardo was one of the locations used by the Americans to invade Puerto Rico. On August 1, 1898 the USS Puritan under the command of Captain Frederic W. Rodgers, was sailing by the coastline of the city of Fajardo, when Rogers noticed the "Faro de Las Cabezas de San Juan" (Cape San Juan lighthouse) which was supposed to be the landing site for the US Army in Puerto Rico. Rodgers ordered some of his men ashore, which included Puerto Rican volunteers, with the mission of posting the American Flag atop the lighthouse. On August 2, three more ships, the USS Amphitrite, USS Leyden, and the USS Hannibal arrived and joined the Puritan. The 25-man Spanish garrison stationed in the city became aware of the American presence and, after notifying their superiors in San Juan, were told to withdraw. When Dr. Santiago Veve Calzada, the mayor of the city, realized that the garrison was gone and that the city was defenseless against the invading Americans, he implored the Spanish authorities in San Juan to dispatch troops to defend his city. Believing that the Spanish forces would not come to his aid, Dr. Santiago Veve Calzada then went to the lighthouse to seek protection for the city from the Americans. On the afternoon of August 3, Dr. Veve Calzada entered the city with a contingent of Marines and the United States flag was hoisted over the Fajardo Customs House and City Hall. On August 4, Governor General Macias sent Colonel Pedro del Pino and 200 men to recapture the city. When Colonel Pino entered Fajardo he found it nearly deserted because the residents, fearing a battle, had fled to the Fajardo lighthouse. Pino waited until darkness fell and then ordered his men to attack the lighthouse. The Marines signaled the ships that they were under attack and the ships began to bombard the shore in a protective pattern. The Spanish forces retreated back to the city. The following day U.S. Marine Lieutenant John A. Lejeune came ashore with a detachment of Marines and evacuated the civilians and Marines for transport to Ponce, and the lighthouse was abandoned. Meanwhile, in the City of Fajardo, Pino's men tore down the United States flags that flew over the Customs House and City Hall and returned to San Juan after verifying that the lighthouse was abandoned, displaying the flags as his trophies of war. It was the only time that American forces were forced to withdraw from any position during the campaign in Puerto Rico.
Flag
Fajardo's flag is a tricolor triband. The upper band is gules (red), symbolizing the color of the shield's border. Silver (white), the center band, stands for the color of the main pieces that appear in the shield and the crown. Azure (blue), the lower band, represents the color of the sky and the sea of Fajardo. Centered is the Coat of Arms of the village (villa) in natural colors.
Coat of Arms
The Coat of Arms is formed as a square with a rounded base and stamped at the top with a crown mural of three towers. It is supported by two dolphins, and underneath the base a banner with the inscription Codey Astol DE SANTIAGO".
Demographics
Barrios (Districts/Wards)[1]
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Geo/Topography
- Fajardo River
- Aguas Buenas Gorge, Fajardo Gorge, Juan Diego Gorge and the Mata Redonda Gorge
- Aguas Prietas and Grande lagoons
Economy
Industry
Electrical components, metal work, furniture manufacturing. Fajardo is also home to pharmaceutical and bio-sciences companies.
Due to its rich ports and closeness to smaller islands, Fajardo is also known for its fishing industries.
Tourism
Fajardo is popular among tourists, especially local tourists, because of its seafood, hotels, closeness to the small islands of Palomino, Icacos and Palominito, and the many daily trips that were are available to Vieques and Culebra, both by boat and by the four airlines that served Fajardo Airport (recently closed): Air Culebra, Air St. Thomas, Isla Nena Air and Vieques Air Link.
Fajardo's beaches are bounded by calm, clear water ideal for snorkeling. Seven Seas Beach offers plentiful water sports facilities, offshore points for sailing, snorkeling and plenty of scuba diving.
Fajardo is also home to one of the few Bioluminescent Lagoons in the world. Nightly trips are offered by kayak by local companies who give educational tours.
Landmarks and places of interest
- Las Cabezas de San Juan Light House - One of the oldest lighthouses in Puerto Rico. Only one used for nautical reasons in the entire island.
- Bioluminescent Lagoon - One of the few Bio-Bays in the world.
- Puerto del Rey Marina - Biggest marina in the Caribbean.
- El Conquistador Resort & Casino - One of Puerto Rico's most luxurious resorts.
- Seven Seas Beach - One of the most beautiful beaches on the island. Classified Blue Flag for its sanitary health guarantees.
- Las Cabezas de San Juan Reserve - Home to mangroves and to the lighthouse.
- Fajardo Port - Used by locals and tourists to visit the island municipalities of Vieques and Culebras.
- Town Square - One of the most charming, antique styled, town squares of Puerto Rico. It has free wireless internet.
- Old Fajardo Sugar Cane Refinery
- Icacos & Palomino Keys
- Isleta Marina
- Natural Reserve Las Croabas
- Las Croabas Recreational Park
- Hipolito Robles Sports Complex
- Santiago Apostol Cathedral
- Icacos, Palomino and Palominito islets.
Festivals and events
- Bicicletada Fajardeña - April
- Kite Festival - April
- Kelly Cup Sailboat Regata - April
- Bomba & Plena Festival - May
- Patron Festivities Santiago Apóstol - July
- Paradise Fiesta - August
- Cocolía Festival - November
Famous Fajardeños
- General Antonio Valero de Bernabé Pacheco - Fought with Simón Bolívar.
- Dr. Antonia Coello de Novelo - Former Surgeon General
- Antonio R. Barceló - Politician
- Marquita Rivera - first actress from Puerto Rico to appear in a major Hollywood motion picture.
- John John Molina - Boxer
- Magui Mercado - Composer
- Carlos Arroyo - Basketball Player
Sports
Fajardo in the past was home to a National Superior Basketball; Baloncesto Superior Nacional BSN basketball team, the Fajardo Cariduros or as they are known in the Island Cariduros de Fajardo. Carlos Arroyo, Edgar Leon and Georgie Torres were three of the most famous players to play for that franchise.
In 2007, the team returned once again to the BSN. The team known as the "Titanes de Morovis" was moved to Fajardo, and was renamed "Cariduros de Fajardo". Unlike the NBA and other sports leagues in the USA, Puerto Rican franchises rarely leave the original name of the franchise when they move to a different city.
Once, there was a basketball team for the Puerto Rican Basketball League known as the "Conquistadores de Fajardo".
Fajardo also has a AA Baseball League team with the same name as the basketball team. They have won two national titles, and as of 2005 they are the team to beat in the Northeast Division.
Interesting Facts
- The University of Puerto Rico was originally founded in Fajardo.
References
External links
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