Foundation: The municipality of Las Piedras (lahs pee-AI-drahs) was founded in 1801. The original population of Las Piedras was based on a hill along the shores of the Humacao River, during that time the area was covered by great boulders, the reason why it was baptized Ribera de Las Piedras (Stones/Boulder Shore). It was part of a ranch called "Hato Grande de los Delgados", granted in 1626 by royal decree to Sebastián Delgado de Rivera, which covered an area that today is known as the municipalities of: Las Piedras; Caguas, Gurabo; parts of San Lorenzo, Juncos and Aguas Buenas. Legend has it that people called it "Ribera de Las Piedras" because of the boulders along the shore of the river where the town was established. Location: Las Piedras is located in the center of the Island, it is bordered by: Canóvanas and Río Grande to the north, Yauboca to the south, Naguabo and Humacao to the east, and Juncos to the west. Area: 112.8 sq km / 43.4 sq mi Population: 34,485 (census 2000) Population Density: 305.7 per sq km / 794.5 per sq mi People are known as: Pedreños or Pedrences Las Piedras is also known as: Ciudad Artesanal (Artesian City) Los Come Guábaras (The Guábaras Eaters) Wards: Census 2000: Population by Wards - Las Piedras Habitants Boquerón 1,984 Ceiba 1,557 Collores 4,648 El Río 4,918 Las Piedras Town 1,911 Montones 6,096 Quebrada Arenas 4,386 Tejas 8,985 Total 34,485 Source: Census 2000 Political Division - Administrative: Senatorial District # 7 de Humacao represented by Hon. José L. Dalmau Santiago (PPD) and Hon. Sixto Hernández Serrano (PPD). Representative District # 35 represented by Joel Rosario Hernández (PPD) . Matron: La Inmaculada Concepción María Apartado 324 Las Piedras, P.R. 00771 (787) 733-2381 Topography: The terrain of this municipality is mostly level. It belongs geographically to the region of Valleys of the Southeast. Nevertheless, it has spurs of the Luquillo Sierra range to the north and of the Cayey Sierra range to the south. In the Luquillo Sierra we find El Toro at 1,074 meters (3,523 feet) rising between: the wards of Guzmán, Arriba and Rio Grande; and the Las Piedras River. It is the highest point of this mountain range. The Cayey Sierra hills contain the Collores Hill at 369 meters (1,210 feet) in the Colores Ward; and the Asomante Hill at 270 meters (886 feet) in the Tejas Ward in the south. Hydrography: This municipality gives birth to one of the main affluents of the Grande de Loíza River, the Gurabo River. The river originates in the El Río ward in the Luquillo Sierra range at an elevation of about 900 meters (2,953 feet). It is approximately 32 kilometers (20 miles) long. Its affluents are: the Honda Gorge in the Rábanos ward; Arenas and the Valenciano Rivers that have their origen in the Montones ward; and water from the Montones and Muertos Gorges. The Humacao River rises in the Montones ward, this one ends at the eastern coast or the Passage of Vieques. All the aforefore mentioned end at the Grande de Loíza River in the Atlantic Ocean. Economy: Manufacturing: computers and pharmaceutical. Flag: The flag of Las Piedras is formed by three horizontal strips of equal width, the superior (top) white, green the center and blue the inferior (bottom) one. In the center in yellow color resides the Taíno sun of the shield. Coat Of Arms: In a silver field resides a blue monogram of the Holy Virgin, topped by a blue crown. Seven silver stones border the silver field and at the tip of the shield resides the Taíno sun in gold denominated as the "Sun of Las Piedras". Símbolos: The Holy Virgin's monogram, blue on silver background, represents the Immaculate Conception, under whose title the Parochial Church of Las Piedras gave origin to the town. The silver stones on a green background represent the boulders scattered thru region in which the municipality is located and from which the name comes. The Taíno sun is a version of a indigenous carving found in a cavern named "Del Indio" in the Las Piedras region. It symbolizes the original native inhabitants of the area.

Events:

Güiro Festival - March Typical Cultural Festival - April Cross Festivities - May Youngster's Festivities - July Typical Festival - September Pork Festival - November Patron Festivities - December

Places To Visit:

Del Indio Cavern Las Piedras Historic Museum Panoramic Route 917 Francisco Negrón Park Artesanial Walk

Distinguished Citizens:

Sotero Gómez Silvia Ricardo - Judge María Elena Gómez - Judge Carmen Benítez - Educator Modesto Velázquez Flores - Fiscal José R. Camacho - Radio Anouncer Eugenio López - Dairy Farmer & boxer Víctor Torres - Historian y reporter Zenón Hernández - Writer & poet

Mayor:

Hon. Itzamar Peña (PNP) P.O. Box 68 Las Piedras, P.R. 00771 (787) 733-2160

2004 General Election Results Municipality of Las Piedras Party Candidate Votes Percent   ITZAMAR PEÑA 10,403 53.17% CESAR MARTINEZ 8,733 44.64% DANIEL 'DANNY' TORRES 244 1.25% *OTHERS 184 0.94% Total 19,564   Breakdown of Others   Reported Voting Centers Participation Direct Nomination 41   Registered Voters 23,372 Blank 85   Votes 19,564 Null 58   Participation Percent 83.71% Reported Voting Centers: 79 out of 79 for 100.00%   Total Registered 23,372

Source: Comisión Estatal de Elecciones de Puerto Rico