Foundation: Don Manuel Vélez founded Aibonito on March 13, 1824. Aibonito (ei-bo-NEE-to) is derived from the Taíno Jatibonuco language which means "river at night". This territory once belonged to the Villa de Coamo and was known as Laybonito, later Aybonito and finally Aibonito. A legend also says that the name "Aibonito" is derived from the story of a Spanish musketeer admiring the Asomante Mountain and inspired by the beauty of the place exclaimed, "¡Ay, que bonito!" (Oh, what beauty!).     The first catholic church in Aibonito was constructed in 1825. It burned down in 1887 and was replaced by the present church finished in 1897. Aibonito is the first municipality in organizing a festival dedicated to the flowers, celebrated since 1969. The Festival of the Flowers is celebrated every July. It is considered the most important event dedicated to the island flowers. Location: Aibonito is located in the Central Mountain Range. Bordering it are: Barranquitas and Cidra to the north, Salinas and Coamo to the south, Cidra and Cayey to the east, and Coamo to the west. Area: 81.6 sq km / 31.4 sq mi Population: 26,493 (census 2000) Population Density: 324.6 per sq km / 843.7 per sq mi People are known as: Aiboniteños Aibonito is also known as: La Ciudad de las Flores (City Of Flowers) La Ciudad Fría (The Cold City) El Jardín de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico's Garden) La Nevera De Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico's Refrigerator) Wards: Census 2000: Population by Wards - Aibonito Habitants Aibonito Town 3,662 Algarrobo 431 Asomante 2,787 Caonillas 1,402 Cuyón 873 Llanos 6,921 Pasto 3,988 Plata 1,863 Robles 4,566 Total 26,493 Source: Census 2000 Political Division - Administrative: Senatorial District # 6 Guayama represented by Hon. Margarita Nolasco Santiago (PNP) and Hon. Cirilo Tirado Rivera (PPD). Representative District # 27 represented by Hon. Carmen I. González González (PPD). Patron: San José San José Parish Apartado 2038 Aibonito, P.R. 00705 (787) 735-3741 Photo by Edgardo Alvelo 760-3892 Topography: Geographically, Aibonito belongs to the Mountain Range of Cayey (Sierra de Cayey). The terrain is precipitous and subject to erosion. Aibonito is the highest municipality of Puerto Rico, reaching 2,401 feet above sea level. It contains the following mountains: La Sierra (2,394 feet), the Torre Degetau (2,109 feet), and the Asomante (2,042 feet). From this point the bay of San Juan and the Island of Caja de Muertos can be seen. Hydrography: The Cuyon, Aibonito, Usabon and La Plata rivers are part of the hydrographic system. Climate: Average temperature is 75º farenheit, but temperatures in the 40s have been registered. The average annual rain is 90 inches. Economy: Agriculture at the present time is minimal with mainly flowers, some tobacco and coffee. Part of the land is dedicated to pasture for cattle production. This municipality has deposits of white clay or kaolin used in pottery and ceramics. It also has some industrial facilities manufacturing clothing, tapestry and furniture. Flag: The flag is ditinguished by its colors: blue for the sky, white for air purity, red for love of the motherland, and gold (yellow) for the traditional Hispanic values. The set of colors also stands for the transition from the Spanish era to the present one. At the center of the equilateral green triangle is the Coat of Arms of the Villa of Aibonito. Coat Of Arms: The shield is divided in four corners or quarters. The superior left corner represents the Asomante where last battles of the Hispano-American War took place, symbolized by the sword, reproducing in the base the national colors of Spain which stand for tradition and the inherited culture.     In the right corner we find: a white band symbolizing the fog that covers the Aiboniteños valleys and mountains in winter; on a blue field, a purple color flower typical of the region and declared official by the organizers of the First Festival of the Flowers in 1969; and in the inferior end a golden lily to remember San José, patron of the Parochial Church of the town and also symbolizing the Eminence Cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez, first Puerto Rican Cardinal of the Catholic Church. He was the priest for the Aibonito Parish between the years 1957 and 1961.     In the inferior part of the shield, upon the left corner on a blue background is placed the gold tower of the Manresa House to symbolize the spiritual value that such institution represents for all Puerto Rico. In the right corner a divided mountain of green color which represents the San Cristóbal Canon with a seashell in the superior part that symbolizes Apostle Santiago in whose honor, since inmemorables times, the "Patron Festivities" have been celebrated when the artisans of the town chose a symbolic "king" to whom the Mayor gives the keys of the city. In the base there are blue and white waves that represent the aquatic wealth. The banner "Jardín de Puerto Rico" (Garden of Puerto Rico) recalls the popular characteristic of Aibonito noted for its gardens, flowers and plants and declared official of Aibonito by the organizers of the First Festival of the Flowers in 1969. In the inferior end of the flower a golden lily remembers San José, patron of the Parochial Church of the town and also symbolizes the Eminence Cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez, first Puerto Rican Cardinal of the Catholic Church. He was the priest for Aibonito between the years 1957 and 1961.     In the inferior part of the shield, left corner on a blue background the tower of the Manresa House, in gold, to symbolize the spiritual value that such institution represents for all of Puerto Rico. In the right corner a divided mountain of green color which represents the San Cristóbal Canon with a seashell in the superior part that symbolizes Apostle Santiago in whose honor, since time immemorable the "Patron Festivities" have been celebrated when the artisans of the town chose a symbolic "king" to whom the Mayor gives the keys of the city. In the base there are blue and white waves that represent the aquatic wealth. The banner "Jardín de Puerto Rico" (Garden of Puerto Rico) recalls the popular characteristic of Aibonito noted for its gardens, flowers and plants. Public Schools sorted by educational levels. Upadted: 08/07/2003 Caguas Región Aibonito Distict Name Level Telephone Address Elementary FEDERICO DEGETAU II 5-6 (787) 735-7628 PO Box 2139, P.R. 00705-0000 LLANOS ADENTRO K-6 (787) 735-6396 PO Box 970, P.R. 00705-0000 RABANA K-6 (787) 735-8886 PO Box 1269, P.R. 00705-0000 ROSARIO BELBER EE (787) 735-5875 PO Box 2041, P.R. 00705-0000 SUCESIÓN TORRES K-6 (787) 735-7736 PO Box 1269, P.R. 00705-0000 Intermediate RAFAEL PONT FLORES 7-9 (787) 735-4571 PO Box 1269, P.R. 00705-0000 Secondary SU JOSÉ CELSO BARBOSA K-9 (787) 735-8892 PO Box 2300 Suite 34, P.R. 00705-0000 SU LA PLATA (CARMEN ZENAIDA VEGA) K-9 (787) 735-8801 PO Box 161, P.R. 00786-0161 SU PASTO K-9 (787) 735-8158 PO Box 1211, P.R. 00705-0000 High School BONIFACIO SÁNCHEZ JIMÉNEZ 10-12 (787) 735-0232 PO Box 538, P.R. 00705-0000 DR. JOSÉ N. GANDARA 10-12 (787) 735-7290 PO Box 1269, P.R. 00705-0000 Información: Departamento De Educación Hymn: By Santa Guevara Marrero Aibonito, Aibonito, Aibonito dibde vueron mis ojos la luz son tus flores las flores más bellas y tu cielo más puro y azul Te recuerdo con mucho cariño nunca, nunca te podré olvidar Aibonito, Aibonito, Aibonito eres tú mi pueblito ideal. Aibonito mi pueblo querido donde todo es belleza y bondad, recordando tus lindos paisajes me embarga la felicidad. Dios Bendiga mi pueblo tan lindo Aibonito, mi pueblo natal tu belleza es incomparable y tu clima que no hay otro igual. Events: Fiestas de Pueblo - May Festival de las Flores - July Patron Celebrations - July Festival del Pollo - August Maratón del Pavo - November Festival de la Montaña - November Places To Visit: Cañon de San Cristóbal Casa Manresa La Piedra de Degetau La Trinchera de Asomante Distinguished Citizens: Rubén Berríos Martínez (1939- ) - Senator (biography) Juan Martínez Capó - Writer Rafael Pont Flores - Journalist Manuel Alvarez Nazario (1924- ) - Professor & writer (biography) Aibonito Mayors 1836 - Present Year Mayor Year Mayor 1836 Felipe de Rivera 1895 Vicente Blanco Tomás Sifonte 1838 Mariano Colón 1898 José Bibles 1840 Valeriano de Santiago 1899 Gerónimo Martínez 1842 Antonio Vélez 1910 José Bigles 1843 Manuel Rivera 1914 Espiridio Canino 1850 Julián Blanco Aplinar Rivera M. González Velazco 1918 F. Pont Zayas 1854 Francisco Jiménez Prieto Andrés A. Cabrera 1920 Gerónimo Hernández 1855 Juan R. Rodríguez 1921 Galo M. González 1864 José A. García 1923 Pedro Rosario 1867 Tomás A. Colón 1928 Cándido Morales José Cuyar 1868 J. Miyares González Ramos 1929 Diego Becerra 1869 Celedonio Fernández 1932 Francisco Martínez 1870 Manuel Gil Sánchez 1940 Miguel de J. Rivera 1871 Pedro J. Hernández 1944 Edelmiro Rodríguez 1872 Rafael M. Veinchini Constantino Zayas 1957 Nicomedes Pagán 1874 Vicente Suárez José M. Santiago 1960 Nicomedes Pagán Luis R. Santini 1881 Gerónimo Martínez Fernando Pont Puig 1964 Benigno Capo López 1883 José M. Escalera Casiano Balbas 1973 Leonardo González 1889 José M. Suárez Francisco Estévez 1976 Francisco Santos 1890 Joaquín Rojas 1981 Benigno Capo López 1891 Juan Negrón Manuel G. Sánchez 1984 Francisco Santos 1893 Ventura Torrent José E. Santiago 1996- Present José Alberto Díaz Robles 1894 E. Arquellas     Source: Municipality of Aibonito Mayor: Hon. José Alberto Díaz Robles (PPD) P.O. Box 2004 Aibonito, P.R. 00705 (787) 735-3871 / 3237       2004 General Election Results Municipality of Aibonito Party Candidate Votes Percent   José Alberto (BERTITO) DIAZ 8,574 53.80% MANOLO ROLON 6,764 42.44% EFRAIN 'FRAO' RIVERA ORTIZ 393 2.47% *OTHERS 207 1.30% Total 15,938   Breakdown of Others   Reported Voting Centers Participation Direct Nomination 35   Registered Voters 19,198 Blank 98   Votes 15,938 Null 74   Participation Percent 83.02% Reported Voting Centers: 62 out of 62 for 100.00%   Total Registered 19,198 Source: Comisión Estatal de Elecciones de Puerto Rico