Puerto del Rey Marina Foundation: Governor Bravo de Rivera founded the town in 1760. In 1772 it was named Santiago de Fajardo (fah-HAHR-do), it's believed that Don Guozo Calderón was the founding governor of the town of Fajardo. The town of Fajardo had benefited much from the Power Law, by which several ports were opened to commerce, among them the Port of Fajardo.     In 1817 apparently three Venezuelan boats attacked the population, it is not known if the intentions were to occupy it or to resupply with food and water. In any case, they were rejected by the population. It was not until October 19, 1812, when the first city council was formed with the Mayor Don Manuel de Rivera that would direct the destinies of Fajardo.     In 1824 an incident took place in which a Commodore of the United States Navy was involved. Shortly after the mayor of Fajardo jailed a the Navy officer, Commodore Porter anchored in the port and threatened bombing the population if excuses were not given for the treatment of his subordinate. This was reason for Commodore Porter to be court marshaled.     The Fajardo economy traditionally had been oriented towards commerce through the port, and the cultivation of sugar cane and raising cattle. They did not lack in cultural activities and occupations. In 1882 Professor Sarroya had established a school; two years later the first Fajardo newspapers were founded, the Zumbador and La Voz de Oriente.     When the invasion from the United States took place in Puerto Rico, the Navy carried out a diversionary strike against Las Cabezas de San Juan Lighthouse. On August 1, 1898, they occupied the lighthouse. The population, by initiative of Dr. Veve Calzada, surrendered to avoid civilian losses.     In 1905 the foundation of the Fajardo Sugar Cane Refinery took place, the most important company to the local economy until it closed its doors in 1977. Location: Fajardo occupies the east end of Puerto Rico. It bordered by: the Atlantic Ocean to the north and east; by Ceiba to the south; and Luquillo to the west. Area: 80.6 sq km / 31.0 sq mi Population: 40,712 (census 2000) Population Density: 505.1 per sq km / 1,313.2 per sq mi People are known as: Fajardeños Fajardo is also known as: Los Cariduros (The Hard Faces) La Metrópolis del Sol Naciente (The Rising Sun Metropoly) Wards: Census 2000: Population by Wards - Fajardo Habitants Cabezas 1,465 Demajagua 1,094 Fajardo Town 17,864 Florencio 4,225 Naranjo 218 Quebrada Fajardo 10,137 Quebrada Vueltas 3,239 Río Arriba 1,545 Sardinera 925 Total 40,712 Source: Census 2000 Political Division - Administrative: Senatorial District # 8 Carolina represented by Hon. Lornna Soto (PNP) and Hon. Héctor Martínez (PNP). Representative District # 36 represented by Hon. Johnny Méndez (PNP) . Patron: Santiago Apóstol Apartado 806 Fajardo, Puerto Rico 00738 (787) 863-2365 Topography: The most elevated parts of the territory are towards the southwest, in the Río Arriba ward, which is part of the Luquillo Sierra. The height fluctuates between 200 and 500 meters. The rest of the territory is level, as it corresponds to the municipalities located in the Eastern Coastal Plain. Hydrography: Fajardo River and the Fajardo Gorge. The Fajardo River has as its affluents the Juan Diego Gorge, Aguas Buenas Gorge, and the Mata Redonda Gorge; it extends 24 kilometers (15 miles) and is born in the Río Abajo ward, municipality of Ceiba, at 800 meters elevation. Towards the extreme northwest of this municipality we find the Aguas Prietas and Grande lagoons. Economy: Manufacture (pharmaceuticals and medical equipment), tourism and commerce. Average Salary: $302.54 weekly (1998) Flag: It's a tricolor triband. The upper one is gules (red), symbolizing the color of the shield's border. Silver (white), the center one, standing for the color of the main pieces that appear in the shield and the crown. Azure (blue), the lower one, represents the color of the sky and the sea of Fajardo. Centered is the Coat of Arms of the village (villa) in natural colors. Coat Of Arms: The Coat of Arms is formed as a square with a rounded base and stamped at the top with a crown mural of three towers. It has for support, two dolphins and underneath the base a banner with the inscription "FAJARDO DE SANTIAGO".     The blue represents the color of the sky and the sea of Puerto Rico. In a heraldic way the blue symbolizes the sapphire which stands for: justice, vigilance, recreation, fervor and loyalty of its citizens. The silver or white color symbolizes a pearl. It stands for: humility, innocence, happiness, purity, restraint, frankness, integrity, eloquence, fairness and victory (without shedding blood) from its enemies. The small sloop symbolizes the recreational navigation of the region. The seagulls in flight symbolize in marine heraldic: the providence, the aid and the prudence of being near to the coastal protection. The silver waves represent the waves of the sea. The border symbolizes protection and shelter of the villa. The color gule (red) symbolizes the ruby and stands for: bravery, nobility, intrepidity, joy, victory, generosity and honor. The shells symbolize the ones used by Santiago Apostle, who was the patron of the villa in its beginnings. The shells are eight, and represent the eight wards of Fajardo that are: Sardinera, Cabezas, Quebrada Vuelta, Demajagua, Río Arriba, Naranjo, Florencio and Quebrada Fajardo, that form part of the jurisdiction of the municipality. The mesh that covers the border symbolizes the fish net that the fishermen of the area use for producing a product that abounds more in this coast of the Island. The supports are illustrated by gold dolphins symbolizing the control that the people of that region exert over the sea and its fishing wealth. Public Schools sorted by educational levels. Updated: 08/07/2003 Fajardo Region Fajardo District Name Level Telephone Addeess Elementary BERTA ZALDUONDO K-6 (787) 863-3959 PO Box 481, P.R. 00740-0000 DR. JOSÉ RAMOS LEBRÓN K-6 (787) 863-0224 PO Box 842 PUERTO REAL, P.R. 00740-0000 DR. SANTIAGO VEVE CALZADA K-6 (787) 863-1385 PO Box 1027, P.R. 00738-1027 EUGENIO M. BRACA 4-6 (787) 863-0324 PO Box 759, P.R. 00738-0000 GABINO SOTO K-3 (787) 863-8482 PO Box 759, P.R. 00738-0000 INÉS ENCARNACIÓN K-6 (787) 863-7570 PO Box 1091, P.R. 00738-0000 MARIA I. DONES K-6 (787) 863-8240 HC 67 Box 15866, P.R. 00738-0000 PEDRO ROSARIO NIEVES K-6 (787) 863-1840 PO Box 1183, P.R. 00738-0000 RAMÓN QUIÑONES PACHECO K-6 (787) 863-0624 155 CALLE FEDERICO GARCÍA, P.R. 00738-0000 RAMONA RIVERA DE MORALES K-6 (787) 863-8085 PO Box 1091, P.R. 00738-0000 ROSA PASCUALA PARIS PK-6 (787) 863-8520 URB. GARDENS CALLE 23, P.R. 00738-0000 Intermediate ANTONIO VALERO BERNABÉ 7-9 (787) 863-0024 PO Box 953, P.R. 00738-0000 JOSEFINA FERRERO 7-9 (787) 863-6770 PO Box 1106, P.R. 00738-0000 High School DR. SANTIAGO VEVE CALZADA 10-12 (787) 863-0125 PO Box 1027, P.R. 00738-0000 NUEVA ESCUELA SUPERIOR VOC. 10-12 (787) 863-0424 PO Box 1027, P.R. 00738-1007 Hymn: By Juan R. Marrero & Cass Harrison Fajardo que aquí en el oriente, paciente como un pescador, atrapas en el horizonte, el primer rayito de sol. Lo reflejas en Sardinera lo esparces a tu alrededor llevándole luz a Borinquén que brilla como un prendedor. Fajardo escogido del cielo mi pequeño pueblo quiero decirte que eres orgullo de todo buen Fajardeño. Así vivas sierra adentro o en la playa Puerto Real. Fajardo que aquí en el oriente, paciente como un pescador, atrapas en el horizonte, el primer rayito de sol. Lo reflejas en Sardinera lo esparces a tu alrededor llevándole luz a Borinquén que brilla como un prendedor. Events: Bicicletada Fajardeña - April Kite Festival - April Kelly Cup Sailboat Regata - April Bomba & Plena Festival - May Patron Festivities Santiago Apóstol - July Paradise Fiesta - August Cocolía Festival - November Places To Visit: Fajardo Airport Old Fajardo Sugar Cane Refinery Icacos & Palomino Keys Marina Isle Bioluminiscent Lagoon Las Cabezas de San Juan Natural Reserve Las Croabas Puerto del Rey Marina Cabezas de San Juan Lighthouse Photo: Bob & Sandra Shanklin Distinguished Citizens: Dr. Antonia Coello De Novelo - Ex US General Surgeon Antonio R. Barceló (1869-1938) - Senator (biography) John John Molina (1965) - Boxer Maguí Mercado - Musician Fajardo Mayors 1812 - Present Year Mayor Year Mayor 1812 Manuel de Rivera 1910 Jesús Moyano 1869 José Delgado 1911 Manuel de Guzmán 1869 José R. Becerril 1915 Hilario López 1870 Manuel J. de Guzmán 1921 Juan Robles 1871 Jorge Bird 1924 Francisco Torres 1872 José González 1926-1928 Enrique Mata 1872 Bernardo Romero 1928-1934 Bolívar Ochart 1872 Félix Rexach 1934-1936 Isabelo Mercado 1872 Eduardo Alonso 1936-1944 Parcasio Gotay 1898 Cristóbal Andreu 1944-1960 Diego Jiménez 1898 Juan Lavaggi 1960-1968 Doña María S. Pérez de Gaos 1899 José M. Rivera 1968-1976 Osvaldo Molina Vázquez 1903 J. B. Blanco 1976-1984 Hipólito Robles Suárez 1905 Juan Penedo 1984-1988 Alfredo López Cabrera 1907 Luis de Celis 1988- Present Aníbal Meléndez Rivera Source: Municipality of Fajardo Mayor: Hon. Aníbal Meléndez Rivera (PNP) P.O. Box 865 Fajardo, P.R. 00738 (787) 863-4013       2004 General Election Results Municipality of Dorado Party Candidate Votes Percent   ANIBAL MELENDEZ RIVERA 11,909 68.54% WILLIAM LASANTA MORALES 4,934 28.40% MIGUEL DAVILA 'CHAN' 354 2.04% *OTHERS 178 1.02% Total 17,375   Breakdown of Others   Reported Voting Centers Participation Direct Nomination 13   Registered Voters 23,471 Blank 104   Votes 17,375 Null 61   Participation Percent 74.03% Reported Voting Centers: 75 out of 75 for 100.00%   Total Registered 23,471 Source: Comisión Estatal de Elecciones de Puerto Rico