| Toa Baja, Puerto Rico | |||
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| Nickname(s): Ciudad de los Valles del Toa", "Ciudad Bajo Aguas", "Los Llaneros | |||
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| Country | United States | ||
| Territory | Puerto Rico | ||
| Founded | 1745 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Hon. Aníbal Vega Borges (PNP) | ||
| - Senatorial dist. | 2 - Bayamón | ||
| - Representative dist. | 10 | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 41.7 sq mi (108.0 km2) | ||
| - Land | 23.2 sq mi (59.99 km2) | ||
| - Water | 18.5 sq mi (48.01 km2) | ||
| Population (2000) | |||
| - Total | 94,085 | ||
| - Density | 4,062.1/sq mi (1,568.4/km2) | ||
| - Gentilic | Toabajeños | ||
| Time zone | AST (UTC-4) | ||
| Website | http://www.toabaja.gobierno.pr | ||
| Anthem – "Espléndido Toa Baja, jardín de mis amores" | |||
Toa Baja (TO-ah BAH-hah) is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the northern coast, north of Toa Alta and Bayamón; east of Dorado; and west of Cataño. Toa Baja is spread over 5 wards and Toa Baja Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city). It is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Toa Baja considered to be a part of the Metropolitan Area. It shares its metropolitan area status with San Juan, Bayamón,Guaynabo, Cataño, Carolina and Trujillo Alto.
Toa Baja is located fifteen minutes by car from San Juan and one hour from Ponce.
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History
Called La Ciudad Bajo Aguas, Toa Baja was founded in 1745.
Flag
According to a publication of the Municipality of Toa Baja, the official flag of this Municipality consist of two (2) vertical bands: the left side is green and the right side is yellow. The green band has two (2) keys one in yellow and the other in white color. The green band represent the mountains and the yellow band represent the "Valley of Toa", also symbolize the rays of the sun. The keys symbolizes the Saint or "Patron" of the City: San Pedro el Apostol).
Coat of Arms
The waving stripe represents the Toa River, one of the first mentioned in the history of Puerto Rico, and in whose shores Juan Ponce de Leon tried to settle the first population of Puerto Rico.
The keys, crossed in vane, symbolize Saint Peter, patron saint of the town. In similar form they appear in the altar of the Parochial Church San Pedro Apostle, of Toa Baja. The F and the J, represent Don Fernando II of Aragón and V of Castile, and his daughter, Doña Juana, sovereign of Castile and Leon.
The handfuls of yucca refer to one of the main crop of this area, and constitute a symbol of the Indians who cultivated it, and whose main food was cassava or bread of yucca. The sugar cane stems refer to the cultivation and industry, that represented the main source of wealth of Toa Baja; the wealth is represented by gold of the field of the shield.
Demographics
Barrios (Districts/Wards)[1]
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Geo/Topography
- Northern Coastal Plains and in the karst zone.
- Rivers; Cocal, Hondo and Plata.
Economy
Agriculture
- Fruits, Sugarcane
- Dairy Cattle
Industry
Manufacturing (metal, plastic, concrete, textile, electrical and electronic machinery and rum).
Tourism
Because of many great landmarks, festivals, beaches, and other things, tourism has played a big part in Puerto Rico's economy
Landmarks and places of interest
- Cañuelo Fortress
- Central Constancia (sugar mill)
- Goats Island
- Hermana Island
- Nuestra Señora del Carmen Catholic Church
- Palo Seco Thermoelectrical Power Station
- Punta Salinas Beach
- San Pedro Apostle Catholic Church
- Santa Elena Hacienda
- Coliseo Antonio R. Barceló
Festivals and events
- Craft Festival - March
- Patron Celebrations - June
- Beach Festival - July
- Musical Band Festival - August
- Christmas Festivities - December
Sports
Llaneras de Toa Baja - female volleyball team from the Liga de Voleibol Superior Femenino.
References
Books about Toa Baja
- Los Municipios de Puerto Rico - Toa Baja. Commissioned by the Department of Education in 1992.
- Padilla Melendez, Debra E., Toa Baja: Notas para su historia.
External links
- Toa Baja and its barrios, United States Census Bureau
- City of Toa Baja
- Toa Baja site on Puerto Rico portal
Coordinates: 18°26′38″N 66°15′35″W / 18.44389°N 66.25972°W
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