Foundation: As a known ward, Florida (flo-REE-dah) goes back to the middle of the last century. It was known as Florida Afuera belonging to Manatí. Later it was annexed to Barceloneta. In the 60's the committee Pro Municipio 78 was constituted by the people who wanted to gain the victory of Florida. From this effort the Senate project "Senado 980" was created thanks to Lic. Juan Cancel Ríos. In 1971 the governor Don Luis A. Ferré, had the honor and the satisfaction to approve the project and Florida was constituted as municipality. Location: Close to the nothern coast it borders north with Barceloneta and Manatí, south with Utuado and Ciales, west with Arecibo and east with Manatí and Ciales. Area: 26.0 sq km / 10.0 sq. mi. Population: 12,367 (census 2000) Population Density: 475.6 per sq km / 1,236.7 per sq. mi. People are known as: Florideños o Floridianos Florida is also known as: Pueblo de la Piña Cayenalisa (City Of The Cayenalisa Pineapple) La Tierra del Río Encantado (Land Of The Enchanted River) Tierra de los Mogotes (Land Of Hills) Wards: Florida is divided en various sectors: Florida Adentro San Agustín Ceiba Pueblo Viejo Los Guanos Aguacate Terol Los Vázquez Pajonal Fogones Parcelas Selgas Parcelas Arroyo Comisión Census 2000: Population by Wards - Florida Habitants Florida Adentro 12,367 Total 12,367 Source: Census 2000 Political Division - Administrative: Senatorial District # 3 Arecibo represented by Hon. José Emilio González (PNP) and Hon. Víctor David Loubriel (PNP... Resigned, seat opened for the moment) . Representative District # 13 represented by Hon. Gabriel Rodríguez (PNP) . Matron: Nuestra Señora de la Merced Nuestra Señora de la Merced Parish P.O. Box 437 Florida, Puerto Rico 00650-0437 (787) 822-2670 Foundation:1887 Mass Schedule Daily: 7:00pm - Nuestra Señora de la Merced Parish Saturday: 5:00pm - Nuestra Señora del Carmen; 7:00pm - Nuestra Señora de la Merced Parish Sunday: 8:00am - Santa Rosa de Lima; 10:00am - Nuestra Señora de la Merced Parish Economy: Manufacturing (plastics), agriculture (pineapple y juice nectors). Average Salary: $221.28 weekly (1998) Flag: Florida's flag derives its colors and symbolism from the Coat Of Arms. It consists of three horizontal stripes, with the following colors and widths: green the superior and white the inferior, with five modules of width each one, the center one red, with a width of one module. Coat Of Arms: Field of silver, in an abyss, a gules (red) anchored cross, between two branches of bloomed poinsettias (Poinsettia Pulcherrima). The Almeneda Campaign in green with a stripe forming waves, sabered, outlined in silver. At the top, a three tower gold crown. The shield can be surrounded, to its flanks and bottom by two crossed coffee tree branches with fruits, in a natural way.     The anchored cross is taken from the shield of the Llanes lineage's last name that in its modified form is "Yanes", which corresponds to the history and toponymy of the municipality of Florida but with its colors inverted, because in the family shield the cross is silver and its field is red. It remembers that the parish of Nuestra Señora de la Merced and San Juan Nepomuceno of Florida preceded in existence to the town of this name. Public Schools sorted by educational levels. Updated: 08/07/2003 Arecibo Region Florida District Name Level Telephone Address Elementary ADOLFO EGÜEN K-6 (787) 822-2904 PO Box 1169, P.R. 00650-0000 JUANITA RAMÍREZ GONZÁLEZ PK-6 (787) 822-2190 PO Box 1167, P.R. 00650-0000 RICARDO RODRÍGUEZ TORRES K-6 (787) 822-1005 Box 1175, P.R. 00650-0000 Intermediate FRANCISCO FRÍAS MORALES 7-9 (787) 822-2263 PO Box 1170, P.R. 00650-0000 High School JUAN PONCE DE LEÓN II 10-12 (787) 822-2050 PO Box 366, P.R. 00650-0000 Source: Departamento De Educación Hymn: By Celia Arenas Florida jardín hermoso que perfuma tu tierra con fragancias de amor, soy el bardo que canta cual coquí enamorado. De tu río encantado, de tu gente y tu honor. Tienen un raro encanto tus montes vigilantes. Parecen esmeraldas tú eres el medallón. Que luces apacible sobre el pecho del río. Pequeño pueblo mío adorable anfitrión. Y aunque de tí me aleje, llevaré tu recuerdo. Tu escudo y tu bandera, sobre en mi corazón. Levantaré mis manos bendiciendo tu nombre. Repitiendo tu himno, que será mi oración. Events: Three Kings Festival - January Aguinaldo Contest - January Cayenalisa Pineapple Festival - July Patron Festivities - September Encantado River Cultural Festivities - October Places To Visit: Yanés Cultural Centre Encantada Cave Distinguished Citizens: Francisco Frías Luciano Sánchez - Lawyer Mercy Soto - Doctor Norberto Montoyo Ovidio Santa - Lawyer Florida Mayors 1974 - Present Year Mayor Year Mayor 1974-1981 Jorge L. Pérez Piñeiro 1992-2004 Magdalena Guzmán Cardona (resigned) 1984-1992 Juan R. De León Vélez 2004-Present Aaron Pargas Ojeda 1981-1984 Heriberto González Vélez     Source: Municipality of Florida Mayor: Hon. Aaron Pargas Ojeda (PNP) P.O. Box 1168 Florida, P.R. 00650 (787) 822-2600       2004 General Election Results Municipality of Florida Party Candidate Votes Percent   Aaron Pargas Ojeda 3,845 51.48% CARLOS (TATO) RUIZ 3,447 46.15% LUCIANO COLON DECLET 'CHANO' 123 1.65% *OTHERS 54 0.72% Total 7,469   Breakdown of Others   Reported Voting Centers Participation Direct Nomination 4   Registered Voters 8,692 Blank 32   Votes 7,469 Null 18   Participation Percent 85.93% Reported Voting Centers: 33 out of 33 for 100.00%   Total Registered 8,692 Source: Comisión Estatal de Elecciones de Puerto Rico