Punta Morrillo Lighthouse
Built 1898
|
Foundation:
Arecibo (ah-re-SEE-boh) has existed as a population nucleus since the early years of the sixteenth century (1533). In the year 1570 the Taino Indians entrusted the land to the Spaniards who began to live in the village.
According to history, the name Arecibo comes from an Indian Chief named Arazibo. The historian, Francisco M. Cadilla, doubts this assertion as he mentions in his book, "Los Ochonentistas," based on the historian Don Antonio de Herrera, where he talks about one of the seven mightiest rivers of the time, the Arecibo River.
In 1614 when the governor of the Island was Don Felipe de Beaumont, due to its population growth the village was promoted to a town. Governor Don Felipe de Beaumont with the consent of Bishop Pedro Soler, called it San Phelipe del Arecibo. In 1778 it was declared Villa, and later was known as "Very Loyal" (Muy Leal) in 1850.
Arecibo is also known as "La Villa del Capitán Correa" (Captain Correa Villa) when Lieutenant Antonio de los Reyes Correa on August 5, 1702, with a small group of armed militia ambushed and repulsed an attack of 40 English soldiers. They pushed the invaders out to sea with a balance of 22 dead invaders against 1 dead and 3 injured defenders. For this act of bravery he was promoted to Captain and was given a medal.
Location:
Arecibo is bordered by: the Atlantic Ocean to the north, Utuado and Ciales to the south, Hatillo to the west, and Barceloneta and Florida to the east.
Area:
330.2 sq km / 127 sq mi
Population:
100,131 (census 2000)
Population Density:
303.2 per sq km / 823.6 per sq mi
People are known as:
Arecibeños
|
Arecibo is also known as:
|
La Villa del Capitán Correa (Captain Correa Villa)
Muy Leal (Very Loal)
Ciudad del Cetí (Ceti City)
Diamante del Norte (Northern Diamond)
Los Capitanes (The Captains)
|
|
Wards:
|
|
Census 2000:
Population by Wards - Arecibo
|
Habitants
|
|
Arecibo Town
|
10,596
|
|
Arenalejos
|
2,997
|
|
Arrozal
|
1,218
|
|
Cambalache
|
64
|
|
Carreras
|
1,294
|
|
Domingo Ruíz
|
3,444
|
|
Dominguito
|
4,998
|
|
Esperanza
|
2,130
|
|
Factor
|
6,819
|
|
Garrochales
|
2,366
|
|
Hato Abajo
|
22,597
|
|
Hato Arriba
|
7,947
|
|
Hato Viejo
|
2,097
|
|
Islote
|
6,080
|
|
Miraflores
|
5,122
|
|
Río Arriba
|
1,028
|
|
Sabana Hoyos
|
11,064
|
|
Santana
|
4,857
|
|
Tanamá
|
3,413
|
|
Total
|
100,131
|
Source:
Census 2000
Political Division - Administrative:
|
Patron:
|
San Felipe Apostol
San Felipe Apostol Parish
P.O. Box 577
Arecibo, Puerto Rico 00613-0577
(787) 878-1149
Mass Schedule:
Daily: 6:15am, 7:30am & 12:00md
Saturday: 7:00am & 4:00pm
Sunday: 7:00am, 8:30am & 11:00am
|
San Felipe Apostol Parish
|
Topography:
Its terrain is almost level. Correa Hill, located in Sabana Hoyos, has approximately 270 meters (886 feet) only of altitude above sea level. The territory belongs to the Northern Coastal Valley region, which is adjacent to karst zone characterized by the presence of caves and wooded hills. The landscape near the coast has dunes formed by the wind.
Hydrography:
The most important rivers are the Tanamá River, and the Grande de Arecibo River. The Grande de Arecibo River is born in Monte Guilarte, Adjuntas and ends at Punto Morrillo, in the Atlantic Ocean. The Tanamá River, born in Utuado in the adjacent mountains of Adjuntas, flows and refreshes the lands of the barrios of La Esperanza, Dominguito, Hato Arriba and Tanamá.
Climate:
The annual precipitation is around 53.01 inches and the average temperature is 77.8°F.
Economy:
The economy of Arecibo is due to several factors: plants that manufacture textile products, chemical, electronic and electrical, and medical instruments among others. It also depends on services in commerce and agriculture. Another economic factor in Arecibo is fishing, although in a smaller scale.
Flag:
The flag of Arecibo derives its composition and colors from the Shield of the City. It is divided vertically in two equal parts.
The left side is blue having a belt that stands for "Captain Correa", a local military hero from Spanish times. The other part is yellow with fifteen blue rhombis with the vertices touching each other and placed in three horizontal rows of five each and five vertical columns of three each.
Coat Of Arms:
The shield is divided by diagonal lines in golden and blue rhombis with a blue stripe in the superior part, in which resides an opened five-point crown and which is adorned with drawings characterizing the art of the Taínos. This combination of symbols represents the Indian Cacique (Chieftain) from whom the population's name derives, the governor that erected the town and the hero Captain Correa who defended it.
The crown remembers the Cacique Francisco Jamaica Arecibo, converted to Christianity, who reigned the region of the Abacoa, today Arecibo. The two turtles are symbols of antiquity. The population of Arecibo is one of the four oldest of the Island. The golden rhombis are part of the shield of arms of the Governor Felipe de Beaumont y Navarro, Governor of Puerto Rico (1614-1620) and which had part in the foundation of Arecibo in 1616. The strap in gold and clasp of silver that borders the shield alludes to Captain Antonio de los Reyes Correa, of Arecibo. In the strap, in saber letters, it says Very Loyal (Muy Leal), a motto granted to the city in 1850. The crown mural has five towers, which means that Arecibo received the title of village. This occurred in 1778.
Public Schools sorted by educational levels.
Updated: 08/07/2003
Arecibo Region
Arecibo District
|
Name
|
Level
|
Telephone
|
Address
|
|
Elementary
|
|
ANGÉLICA GÓMEZ DE BETANCOURT
|
K-6
|
(787) 878-1675
|
PO Box 116, P.R. 00613-0000
|
|
ANTONIA SÁNCHEZ
|
K-3
|
(787) 880-0262
|
PO Box 905, P.R. 00613-0000
|
|
CARMEN M ABREU
|
K-6
|
(787) 878-8367
|
152 Calle Delfín Olmo, P.R. 00612-0000
|
|
COTTO (ANEXO)
|
EE
|
(787) 878-8160
|
PO Box 9582, P.R. 00613-9582
|
|
DOLORES GÓMEZ DE ROMÁN
|
PK-6
|
(787) 878-2425
|
PO Box 733, P.R. 00613-0000
|
|
DOMINGO RUIZ
|
K-4
|
(787) 816-1919
|
PO Box 193, P.R. 00613-0000
|
|
DR. FRANCISCO SUSONI
|
K-6
|
(787) 878-1734
|
PO Box 193, P.R. 00613-0000
|
|
FÉLIX ROSARIO RÍOS
|
K-6
|
(787) 881-5310
|
PO Box 1320, P.R. 00688-1320
|
|
FRANCISCO PACHÍN MARIN
|
K-6
|
(787) 878-2019
|
Urb. Vista Azulo Calle 17, P.R. 00612-0000
|
|
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
|
PK-6
|
(787) 878-3034
|
PO Box 1116, P.R. 00612-0000
|
|
JESÚS SIVERIO DELGADO
|
K-6
|
(787) 881-3090
|
PO Box 907 Garrochales, P.R. 00652-0000
|
|
JOHN W. HARRIS
|
K-6
|
(787) 878-1514
|
PO Box 9773, P.R. 00613-0000
|
|
JULIO SEIJO
|
K-6
|
(787) 878-2062
|
PO Box 143566, P.R. 00614-0000
|
|
JUSTINIANO TORRES
|
K-4
|
(787) 881-6985
|
PO Box 451, P.R. 00613-0000
|
|
LOS CAÑOS
|
K-6
|
(787) 879-1558
|
PO Box 9919, P.R. 00613-0000
|
|
MARIA CATALINA TEJADA
|
K-6
|
(787) 881-6264
|
PO Box 1222, P.R. 00616-0000
|
|
MARTÍN DIEGO DELGADO
|
K-6
|
(787) 878-0645
|
Calle 8 University Gardens, P.R. 00612-0000
|
|
VÍCTOR ROJAS II
|
PK-6
|
(787) 878-5969
|
PO Box 142716, P.R. 00614-0000
|
|
VILLA SERENA
|
K-6
|
(787) 879-4825
|
PO Box 9941, P.R. 00613-0000
|
|
Intermediate
|
|
JOSÉ GUALBERTO PADILLA
|
7-9
|
(787) 878-2818
|
PO Box 9395, P.R. 00613-0000
|
|
LUIS MUÑOZ MARÍN
|
7-9
|
(787) 880-0757
|
PO Box 1116, P.R. 00613-0000
|
|
PRE-VOCACIONAL JOSÉ LIMÓN ARCE
|
EE
|
(787) 878-3300
|
PO Box 152, P.R. 00612-0152
|
|
THOMAS JEFFERSON
|
7-9
|
(787) 878-3332
|
MSC 456 P.O.BOX 4035, P.R. 00614-0000
|
|
VÍCTOR ROJAS I
|
EE
|
(787) 880-3551
|
PO Box 9666, P.R. 00612-0000
|
|
Secondary
|
|
LUIS MUÑOZ RIVERA
|
1-12
|
(787) 878-3585
|
PO Box 2854, P.R. 00613-0000
|
|
Jr. High
|
|
DDR CAYETANO COLL Y TOSTÉ
|
K-9
|
(787) 881-5429
|
PO Box 992, P.R. 00616-0000
|
|
EUGENIO MARIA DE HOSTOS
|
K-9
|
(787) 881-3540
|
PO Box 451, P.R. 00613-0000
|
|
JOSÉ RAMON RIVERA
|
K-9
|
(787) 881-1717
|
PO Box 451, P.R. 00613-0451
|
|
LUIS FELIPE PÉREZ
|
K-9
|
(787) 880-7488
|
PO Box 140538, P.R. 00614-0000
|
|
SU DIEGO BRAVO
|
K-9
|
(787) 880-2444
|
PO Box 2284, P.R. 00613-2284
|
|
SU ENRIQUE DE JESÚS BORRAS
|
K-9
|
(787) 878-7699
|
PO Box 141165, P.R. 00613-0000
|
|
SU FEDERICO DEGETAU
|
PK-9
|
(787) 881-1524
|
PO Box 141918, P.R. 00612-0000
|
|
SU MANUEL RUIZ GANDIA
|
K-9
|
(787) 879-0851
|
PO Box 9937, P.R. 00613-0000
|
|
SU RAMÓN E BETANCES
|
K-9
|
(787) 881-2650
|
PO Box 995, P.R. 00616-0000
|
|
SU RÍO ARRIBA
|
K-9
|
(787) 880-6003
|
PO Box 905, P.R. 00613-0000
|
|
High School
|
|
ABELARDO MARTÍNEZ OTERO
|
10-12
|
(787) 879-2614
|
PO Box 9059, P.R. 00612-0000
|
|
DRA. MARIA CADILLA DE MARTÍNEZ
|
10-12
|
(787) 878-3480
|
PO Box 1118, P.R. 00612-0000
|
|
SUPERIOR VOCACIONAL
|
10-12
|
(787) 880-6696
|
PO Box 601, P.R. 00613-0601
|
|
TRINA PADILLA DE SANZ
|
10-12
|
(787) 878-1365
|
PO Box 142672, P.R. 00612-0000
|
|
All Levels
|
|
BELLAS ARTES
|
3-12
|
(787) 881-2882
|
PO Box 524, P.R. 00613-0524
|
|
LIBRE DE MÚSICA
|
K-12
|
(787) 879-3567
|
PO Box 2794, P.R. 00613-2794
|
|
Hymn:
|
By José A. Monrouzeau
Villa y ciudad te conocí
acariciada por el mar
prodigio es ver cerca de tí
ríos formandose un collar
porque eres tú cuna gentil
de nuestro gran Pachín Marín,
Víctor Rojas también
de Campeche un jardín,
del Capitán Correa, el invicto,
fue un edén.
Arecibo, Arecibo
yo nunca te podré olvidar,
pueblecito de mis amores
que como tú no hay otro igual.
Por tus atletas y tus héroes
tus hijos te saben querer,
con sus mujeres en sus quereres
gratos recuerdos del ayer.
En el baseball estrellas son
Rodríguez Olmo con Pellot.
En basketball gran sensación
con John Padilla en Nueva York.
Así también cual campeón
Petaca Iguina es colosal.
Nuestros atletas son bravos
por su ideal
por eso
gozan de fama y admiración.
Arecibo, Arecibo
yo nunca te podré olvidar,
pueblecito de mis amores
que como tú no hay otro igual.
Por tus atletas y tus héroes
tus hijos te saben querer,
con sus mujeres en sus quereres
gratos recuerdos del ayer.
|
|
Events:
|
Bicycle Competitions - January
Arecibo Carnival - February
Patron Festivities San Felipe Apóstol - May
Playero Festival - July
Folklore Festival - July
Craftsman Fair - September
Ceti Festival - November
Puerto Rico's Flag Centenial - December
|
|
Places To Visit:
|
Casa de Pesca
Casa Ulanga
San Felipe Cathedral
Cueva del Indio Cavern
Dos Bocas Lake
Los Morrillos Lighthouse
Arecibo Observatory
Cambalache Forest Reserve
|
Río Abajo Forest Reserve
Olympic Swiming Facilities
Víctor Rojas Walk
Los Morillos Beach
Los Negritos Beach
Las Tunas Beach
Poza del Obispo Beach
|
Arecibo Observatory
|
|
Distinguished Citizens:
|
Cayetano Coll y Toste (1850-1930) Doctor & historian
(biography)
Francisco (Pachín) Gonzalo Marín (1897-1963) - Poet, politician & patriot
(biography)
Manuel Zeno Gandía (1855-1930) Doctor, journalist & politician
(biography)
María Cadilla de Martínez (1894-1951) Professor & writer
(biography)
René Marqués (1929-1979) - Dramatist
(biography)
|
Arecibo Mayors 1802 - Present
|
Year
|
Mayor
|
Year
|
Mayor
|
|
1802
|
Juan Lorenzo Olmo
|
1889
|
Policarpio de Echevarría
|
|
1803
|
Manuel de Rivera
|
1892
|
José Roig Colomer
|
|
1804-1832
|
Esteban Colón
|
1893
|
Ramón García Lago (temporary)
|
|
1832
|
Nepomuceno Bolet
|
1893
|
Manuel Villamil Torrado
|
|
1832
|
Manuel Grillamas y Galiano
|
1894
|
Lorenzo Roses Borrás
|
|
1833-1837
|
Bernardo Zeno
|
1898
|
Manuel Pérez Avilés
|
|
1840
|
Manuel Antonio Zeno
|
1898
|
José Ruíz de Sagredo
|
|
1841
|
Juan Nepomuceno Quero
|
1901
|
Bernardo Huicy
|
|
1841
|
José María Fernández
|
1903
|
Juan Marín Guerrero
|
|
1844
|
Antonio M. de Galvez
|
1904 -1914
|
Manuel Pérez Avilés
|
|
1845
|
José Ramón Larrier
|
1915
|
Enrique Landrón
|
|
1846
|
Vicente Balseiro
|
1916
|
Manuel Viñas Camaño
|
|
1847
|
Juan Colón
|
1916
|
Juan Lara
|
|
1848
|
Agustín Correa
|
1923
|
Manuel Ledesma
|
|
1857
|
José María Castro
|
1923
|
José García Abreu
|
|
1858
|
Leonardo de Campos
|
1923 - 1925
|
Rafael Sanmillón y Escalona
|
|
1860
|
Francisco Ulanga
|
1925 - 1929
|
Ricardo Agrait Aldea
|
|
1862
|
Demetrio Santaella
|
1929 - 1933
|
Sergio Seijo Tavaréz
|
|
1865
|
Benito Oser de Lira
|
1933 - 1936
|
José Mendín Sabat
|
|
1868
|
Manuel de Iturriaga
|
1936 - 1940
|
Rafael Rivera Aulet
|
|
1871
|
Pedro Puig Pi
|
1936 - 1937
|
José R. Castilla
|
|
No Data
|
Luis de Ealo Domínguez
|
1937 - 1940
|
Juan Abreu Colón
|
|
1875
|
Fernando Fernández
|
1940 - 1948
|
Sigfredo Vélez González
|
|
1877
|
José Clivillés Amirall
|
1948 - 1966
|
Darío Goitía
|
|
1861
|
Manuel Antonio Zeno
|
1966 - 1970
|
Elba A. Otero de Jové
|
|
1881
|
Gabriel Correa Fuentes
|
1970 - 1972
|
Pablo E. Méndez Cabrero
|
|
1884
|
Pedro Alonso Ruíz
|
1972 - 1976
|
Alfredo González Rivera
|
|
1886
|
Manuel Muñoz Galofre
|
1976 -1980
|
José A. Cedeño Rodríguez
|
|
1886
|
Fernando Lines
|
1980 - 1984
|
Pablo E. Méndez Cabrero
|
|
1887
|
Rafael T. de Ayala
|
1984 - 1992
|
Francis Hernández Jové
|
|
1888
|
Antonio de Gutiérrez Pavia
|
1992 - 2000
|
Ángel M. Román
|
|
1889
|
Juan Pedro Raldivis
|
2000- 2004
|
Franky Hernández Colón
|
|
|
|
2004- Present
|
Lemuel Soto
|
Source: Municipality of Arecibo
|
Mayor:
|
Hon. Lemuel Soto (PNP)
P.O. Box 1086
Arecibo, P.R. 00613
(787) 878-2299
|
|
2004 General Election Results
Municipality of Arecibo
|
|
|
|
Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
Percent
|
|
|
LEMUEL SOTO
|
27,212
|
50.38%
|
|
|
FRANKIE HERNANDEZ COLON
|
25,376
|
46.98%
|
|
|
APOLINAR 'TATO' CINTRON
|
989
|
1.83%
|
|
|
*OTHERS
|
441
|
0.82%
|
|
|
Total
|
54,018
|
|
|
Breakdown of Others
|
|
Reported Voting Centers Participation
|
|
Direct Nomination
|
21
|
|
Registered Voters
|
65,834
|
|
Blank
|
262
|
|
Votes
|
54,018
|
|
Null
|
158
|
|
Participation Percent
|
82.05%
|
|
Reported Voting Centers: 212 out of 212 for 100.00%
|
|
Total Registered
|
65,834
|
|
Source: Comisión Estatal de Elecciones de Puerto Rico
|
