Patillas, Puerto Rico

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Patillas, Puerto Rico
—  Municipality  —
Flag Coat of arms
Nickname(s): "La Esmeralda del Sur", "Los Leones"
Anthem: "Patillenses"
Location of Patillas in Puerto Rico
Coordinates: 18°00′23″N 66°00′57″W / 18.00639°N 66.01583°W / 18.00639; -66.01583Coordinates: 18°00′23″N 66°00′57″W / 18.00639°N 66.01583°W / 18.00639; -66.01583
Country	United States
Territory	Puerto Rico
Founded	1811
Government
• Mayor	Benjamin "Benji" Cintron Lebron (PNP)
• Senatorial dist.	7 - Humacao
• Representative dist.	34
Area
• Total	59.3 sq mi (153.62 km2)
• Land	48.3 sq mi (125 km2)
• Water	11.1 sq mi (28.62 km2)
Population (2010)
• Total	19,277
• Density	330/sq mi (130/km2)
Demonym	Patillenses
Time zone	AST (UTC-4)
Zip code	00723

Coast scene at Patillas, Puerto Rico

Patillas (Spanish pronunciation: [paˈtiʎas]) is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the southeastern coast, south of San Lorenzo; west of Yabucoa and Maunabo; and east of Guayama and Arroyo. It is spread over 15 wards and Patillas Pueblo (the downtown area and the administrative center of the city). It is part of the Guayama Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

During the mid-18th century there already existed a relatively large number of dispersed neighbors in the Valley of Patillas and along the southeastern coast of the island of Puerto Rico. During this time frame, there was an establishment of a sugar cane mill which took advantage of the agricultural potential the valley provided. As this establishment provided a good source of income for the neighbors it also was the main reason for the town's foundation in 1811. Doña Adelina Cintrón, owner of "La Finca Patillas", donated almost 8 acres (32,000 m²) of land for the foundation. Most of the neighbors then relocated towards the west side of the proposed site called Cacao Bajo.

Symbols

Flag

The flag of Patillas has four green rectangles on the corners that symbolize the valleys and mountains of the town. These rectangles are separated by a golden cross symbolizing the fidelity towards the town's religious patron "El Santo Cristo de la Salud". Superimposed in the middle of the golden cross is an emerald, thus the nickname "La Esmeralda del Sur".

The art design of the flag was a creation of Pedro de Pedro in 1977. Each symbol on the flag was defined by Pedro J. Rivera Arbolay. The legal assessor was the attorney Roberto Beascochea Lota.

Coat of arms

The coat of arms features a crow with a piece of bread in its beak, which represents the bird that saved the life to San Benito Abad, patron of the town, from being poisoned with a piece of bread. The castle with three windows symbolizes the captivity of Santa Barbara, matron of Patillas in the first years of the foundation and the devotion to the Holy Trinity. The cross represents Santo Cristo de la Salud. The two crossed machetes underneath the cross represent the peasants' struggle in the sugar cane plantations and the origins of economic development. The three towers in the superior part mean that Patillas is categorized as a town. The watermelon leaf, fruit that abounded in the west of Patillas, is the reason for the name of the town. The motto "Ora et Labora", means "Pray and Work"; motto of the religious order of San Benito Abad.

Names

The name Patillas is originally an indigenous name for a native type of watermelon. The large abundance of this fruit in the area, along with the land donation from the original owner, lead to the town's name.

Geography

Despite being located in the region known as the Coast Valley of the South, a part of the town is mountainous. The Sierra de Cayey borders the town's territory through the northern region, and the Sierra de Guardarraya through the east.

There are several rivers and creeks that flow through the town of Patillas. There is also the Patillas Reservoir which was built in 1914. The Patillas and Marín Rivers flow into the reservoir which is also used for fishing.

Cityscape

Barrios

The city of Patillas is itself sub-divided into several barrios (wards/districts):

• Apeadero
• Bajos
• Cacao Alto
• Cacao Bajo
• Egozcue
• Guardarraya
• Jacaboa
• Jagual
• Los Pollos
• Los Ríos
• Marín
• Mulas
• Muñoz Rivera (El Real)
• Pueblo
• Quebrada Arriba
• Providencia
• Mamey Chiquito

Culture

Tourism

Tourist sector is currently in development.

Landmarks and places of interest

• Charco Azul (river)
• Charco Los Tres Chorros (river)
• Carite-Guavate Forest
• Escondida Beach
• Guardarraya Beach
• Charco de la vuelta
• Villa pesquera Beach
• Lago de Patillas
• Guavate forest and place to eat

Festivals and events

Patillas' Fiestas Patronales are held in August. Other traditional festivals held at the city are the Emerald of the South Carnival in May.

Sports

Emilio "Millito" Navarro (born September 26, 1905 in the city of Patillas, Puerto Rico) was the first Puerto Rican to play baseball in the Negro Leagues.

Economy

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Demographics

According to the 2000 census, Patillas has a population of 20,152 with a population density is 426.0 people per square mile (163.9/km²). Although there was a decline in the population during the 1960s and the 1990s, it has steadily increased during the last decade.

As a whole, Puerto Rico is mainly made up of people from a Creole (born on the Island of European descent) or Spanish and European descent, with small groups of African and Asian people. Statistics taken from the 2000 census shows that 67.7% of Patillences have Spanish or White origin, 12.3% are black, 0.5% are Amerindian etc.

Government

The city belongs to the Puerto Rico Senatorial district VII, which is represented by two Senators. In 2008, José Ramón Díaz and Luz Santiago were elected as District Senators.^[2]

Education

Patillas counts with several public and private schools distributed through several regions. Public education is handled by the Puerto Rico Department of Education.

Transportation

Puerto Rico Highway 53 and Road #3 provide access to Patillas from the nearby city of Ponce. Patillas lies at about 1.25 hours from San Juan.

References

	Puerto Rico portal
	Geography portal

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