"La Barranquiteña" year 1941. Foundation: Barranquitas' (bahr-rahn-KEE-tahs) name is derived from its muddy terrain. During the XIX century Comerío, Hato Puerto, Aibonito, Jatibonico, Orocovis and Los Barros became towns or parties, Barranquitas being one of first in 1803. During the first years of the XVI century (1508), it was necessary to unite the south of the island with the north with a route crossing the center of the island. At the beginning it was very dificult because only the trails used by the Taino Indians were available to make the trip. When the town of Coamo was founded, 32 kilometers from the southern coast, travel was made easier and finally the route made its way from Coamo through Barranquitas and Comerio to Bayamón at the northern coast.     Due to the distance of the route, the Spanairds established a place to eat, rest and protect themselves against the inclemencies of the weather in what is known today as Barranquitas. The Piñona River bordered the area to the north and east. Between these cardinal points the Padilla Gorge cascaded its waters into a pool that was used as a public bath for a long time and where launderers would go to wash their clothes. Location: Barranquitas is located in the Central Mountain range of the Island. It borders north with Corozal and Naranjito, south with Coamo and Aibonito, west with Orocovis and east with Comerio. Area: 88.4 sq km / 34 sq mi Population: 28,909 (census 2000) Population Density: 327.0 per sq km / 850.2 per sq mi People are known as: Barranquiteños Barranquitas is also known as: Cuna de Próceres (Home of Notable Citizens) Cuna Feria de Artesanías (Home of Crafts) El Altar de la Patria (The Altar of the Mother Country) El Pueblo de Luis Muñoz Rivera (Luis Muñoz Rivera's Town) Wards: Census 2000: Population by Wards - Barranquitas Habitants Barrancas 5,083 Barranquitas (city) 2,910 Cañabón 2,221 Helechal 3,959 Honduras 2,155 Palo Hincado 3,963 Quebrada Grande 3,194 Quebradillas 5,424 Total 28,909 Source: Census 2000 Political Division - Administrative: Senatorial District # Guayama represented by Hon. Margarita Nolasco Santiago (PNP) and Hon. Cirilo Tirado Rivera (PPD). Representative District # 27 represented by Hon. Carmen Iris "Ciela" González González (PPD). Patron: San Antonio de Padua Apartado 1099 Barranquitas, P.R. 00794 (787) 857-3585 Barranquitas Parish 1941 Topography: Mainly mountainous because of its location in the Central Mountain range. The Torrecilla hill (943 meters), Farallón (788 meters) hill and the San Cristóbal gorge form part of the topography. Hydrography: Piñonas, Usabón, La Plata and Grande de Manatí rivers. Economy: Agriculture (coffee, fruits, vegetables and flowers), manufacture (footwear and clothing), tourism and commerce. Average Salary: $261.64 weekly (1998) Flag: Three horizontal stripes of equal width form the flag of Barranquitas: white superior (in representation of the silver color on the shield) green center yellow bottom (in representation of the gold color) Coat Of Arms: The gorges resemble the San Cristóbal Gorge, located in the territorial division of the municipalities of Barranquitas and Aibonito. The yagrumo trees characteristic of the mountainous zone of Puerto Rico, symbolize the elevation above sea level of Barranquitas, one of the highest elevations within the municipalities of the island. The three tower crown represents cities, towns or municipalities. Public Schools sorted by educational levels. Updated: 08/07/2003 Morovis Region Barranquitas District Name Level Telephone Address Elementary CAÑABÓN ABAJO K-6 (787) 857-0982 PO Box 627, P.R. 00794-0000 EL FARALLÓN K-6 (787) 857-2435 PO Box 659, P.R. 00794-0000 EL PORTÓN PK-6 (787) 857-3686 PO Box 659, P.R. 00794-0000 LA TORRE K-4 (787) 857-3571 PO Box 69, P.R. 00794-0000 LA VEGA (STEPHEN S. HUSE) K-6 (787) 857-0125 PO Box 6112, P.R. 00794-0000 MANA ABAJO K-4 (787) 857-3581 PO Box 69, P.R. 00794-0000 PETROAMERICA PAGAN K-6 (787) 857-6050 PO Box 2000, P.R. 00794-0000 SINFOROSO APONTE K-6 (787) 857-4972 PO Box 69, P.R. 00794-0000 Intermediate JOSÉ BERRIOS BERDECÍA 7-9 (787) 857-2305 PO Box 757, P.R. 00794-0000 PEDRO LABOY 7-9 (787) 857-2845 PO Box 327, P.R. 00794-0000 Secondary FEDERICO DEGETAU K-9 (787) 857-0646 PO Box 956, P.R. 00794-1999 SU HELECHAL K-9 (787) 857-2360 PO Box 2000, P.R. 00794-2000 SU LA LOMA (ANTONIO VÁZQUEZ RAMOS) K-9 (787) 857-3611 PO Box 1999, P.R. 00794-0000 SU LAJITAS (RAMÓN T. RIVERA) K-9 (787) 857-5571 PO Box 40, P.R. 00794-0000 High School LUIS MUÑOZ MARÍN 10-12 (787) 857-3714 PO Box 899, P.R. 00794-0000 PABLO COLON BERDECÍA 10-12 (787) 857-2897 PO Box 69, P.R. 00794-0000 Source: Departamento De Educación Hymn: Aquí en el centro de nuestra tierra, entre montañas de gran verdor, sonríe glorioso mi Barranquitas, el pueblecito de mi pasión. Perla brillante del Torrecilla, de ambiente plácido, acogedor; mi Barranquitas, cuna de ilustres, muy gloria tuya, fue Muñoz. La suave brisa de sus montañas bien le acaricias con tierno amor, la luz radiante del sol le baña, le canta el ave dulce canción. Perla brillante del Torrecilla, de ambiente plácido, acogedor; mi Barranquitas, cuna de ilustres, muy gloria tuya fue Muñoz. Luis Muñoz Rivera's birth place.

Events:

De la Vega Festival - May San Antonio de Padua Patron Festivities - June National Artesans Fair- July

Places To Visit:

Camp Morton Luis Muñoz Rivera Museum San Cristóbal Gorge El Cortijo Castle Luis Muñoz Rivera Cultural Center Hacienda Grande Ruins

Distinguished Citizens:

Luis Muñoz Rivera - Politician, journalist and poet (biography) Luis Muñoz Marín - Governor of Puerto Rico (biography) José Colón Efraín Colón Torres José A. Negrón Sanjurjo Antonio Aponte Ramos Naldo de la Loma Pedro Pereales

Mayor:

Hon. Francisco "Paco" López (PNP) P.O. Box 250 Barranquitas, P.R. 00794 (787) 857-2290

2004 General Election Results Municipality of Barranquitas Party Candidate Votes Percent   FRANCISCO 'PACO' LOPEZ 9,982 58.02% FELIPE MARRERO SANTIAGO (ITO) 6,867 39.92% HECTOR M. SANTIAGO HERNANDEZ 253 1.47% *OTHERS 101 0.59% Total 17,203   Breakdown of Others   Reported Voting Centers Participation Direct Nomination 6   Registered Voters 19,672 Blank 45   Votes 17,203 Null 50   Participation Percent 87.45% Reported Voting Centers: 74 out of 74 for 100.00%   Total Registered 19,672

Source: Comisión Estatal de Elecciones de Puerto Rico