Vejigantes Foundation: In 1692 Loíza (loo-EE-zah) was appointed as an urban party because it had enough population, approximately 100 houses and 1,146 inhabitants. But it was not until the year 1719 the Spanish government recognized its existence by declaring it a town. Its founder was Gaspar de Arredondo. It was reconstituted again as a municipality August 16, 1970. The legend is that the name Loíza was that of a Taíno woman, Chief Loíza or Yuisa, who governed a territory called Jaymanio in the margins of the Cayrabón river now named the Grande de Loíza river.     Supposedly, Loíza took the name Luisa when she was baptized, because it was her godfather's name, Luis de Añasco. It is also said that this Taíno Chief married mulatto conqueror Pedro Mejías, with whom she died during an attack by the fierce Caribes. In fact, there is no proof that the christian name of Yuisa was Luisa; none either of her chieftainship or of her marriage with Mejías. Recently another possible source for the origin of the name is worthwhile considering. Iñigo Lopez de Cervantes y Loayza, member of the Spanish Hearing, had great extensions of land in this region and enjoyed much prestige between the governors and the colonizers of the time. His second last name could have been used to name this territory. Location: Loíza is bordered by: the Atlantic Ocean to the north, Canóvanas to the south, Río Grande to the east, and Carolina to the west. Area: 65.0 sq km / 25.0 sq mi Population: 32,537 (census 2000) Population Density: 500.5 per sq km / 1,301.4 per sq mi People are known as: Loiceños Loíza is also known as: Capital de la Tradición (Capital Of Tradition) Los Santeros (The Saint Worshippers) Los Cocoteros (The Coconut Grovers) Wards: Census 2000: Population by Wards - Loíza Habitants Canóvanas 7,699 Loíza Town 4,123 Medianía Alta 9,482 Medianía Baja 8,911 Torrecilla Alta 0 Torrecilla Baja 2,322 Total 32,537 Source: Census 2000 Political Division - Administrative: Senatorial District # 8 Carolina represented by Hon. Lornna Soto (PNP) and Hon. Héctor Martínez (PNP). Representative District # 37 represented by Hon. Ángel L. Bulerín Ramos (PNP) . Patron: Santiago Apóstol San Patricio Parish Calle Espíritu Santo Loiza P.R. 00772 Topography: The terrain is nearly uniformly level because since it does not surpass 100 meters (328 feet) above sea level. It is in the geographic region called the Coastal Plains of the North (the Atlantic coast). Hydrography: The hydrograqphy is formed by: the Grande de Loiza and the Herrera rivers, which serve as the border with the municipality of Río Grande; and the Piñones and La Torrecilla lagoons. La Torrecilla is shared with the municipality of Carolina. Great marshy extensions of land complete the hydrographic system. Economy: Tourism and fishing Average Salary: $290.34 weekly (1998) Flag: The colors of the flag represent the following: Red and gold - Our Spanish inheritance, because they belong to the Spanish flag Green - The Saint Patrick tradition of Loíza. Three undulating stripes - The represention of our geography because Loíza is a coastal town having the widest and mightiest river of all Puerto Rico. The silhouette of a bell tower in the first stripe represents religious tradition and also serves as a symbol of the Church of Saint Patrick as an historical monument.

Coat Of Arms: The mounted figure of Santiago Apostle, dominant in the shield, proclaims the devotion to the saint that the Loiceños profess, manifested in a special way during the celebration of traditional festivities every July 25^th.
    The flames are emblem of the Holy Spirit, bearer of the seven gifts, a title of the old church of Loíza. The undulating stripe represents the Grande de Loíza River, notable in geography, history and literature of Puerto Rico. The crown symbolizes the famous Taína Chief Yuisa, who dwelled in Loíza territory and found a tragic death. The trebols represent San Patrick, Apostle of Ireland and patron of the population.

Name	Level	Telephone	Address
Elementary
CELSO GONZÁLEZ VAILLANT	K-6	(787) 876-8260	PO Box 1980 Suite 269, P.R. 00772-0000
EMILIANO FIGUEROA TORRES	K-6	(787) 791-5396	PO Box 507, P.R. 00772-0000
GUILLERMINA ROSADO DE AYALA	K-6	(787) 256-2050	Apartado 507, P.R. 00772-0000
JOBOS	K-6	(787) 256-4500	PO Box 507, P.R. 00772-0000
MEDIANÍA ALTA ELEMENTAL	PK-6	(787) 876-1200	PO Box 1980 Suite 201, P.R. 00772-0000
PARCELAS SUÁREZ	K-6	(787) 876-1878	PO Box 1450, P.R. 00772-0000
PARCELAS VIEQUES	K-6	(787) 876-1235	PO Box 94, P.R. 00772-0000
Intermediate
BELÉN BLANCO DE ZEQUEIRA	7-9	(787) 256-3060	PO Box 1980 Suite 341, P.R. 00772-1980
JESÚS A. VIZCARRONDO	7-9	(787) 876-1377	PO Box 507, P.R. 00772-0000
High School
CARLOS ESCOBAR LÓPEZ	10-12	(787) 876-2060	PO Box 535, P.R. 00772-0535

Source: Departamento De Educación

Hymn:

Loiceños en Acción By Lolita Cuevas Loiceño en acción deja huella de tu yo en tu tradición; tu bandera has de honrar, tus raíces y tu himno exaltar. Loiceño, has de marcar en el tiempo el orgullo de tu honor; tu vehemencia ha de encontrar luz divina en horizontes de alta mar. Unidos vamos adelante, unidos en amor y paz; nuestra historia es la esperanza que a nuestra patria hará triunfar. Cultiva tu tierra, es tesoro, estudia y lucha sin cesar, que Loíza es hija digna de Borinquén, pueblo de amor y paz.

Events:

Mayombe Carnival - February San Patricio Patron Festivities - March Santiago Apóstol Festivities - July

Places To Visit:

Ayala Family Artesan Centre María de la Cruz Cavern Piñones Lagoon San Patricio Parish Julia de Burgos Walk Aviones Beach Vacía Talega Beach

Distinguished Citizens:

Castor Ayala - Master Artesan Francisco E. Mundo Arzuaga - Mayor y profesor Ramón Suárez - Founder of the Mimiya Hospital, Santurce

Loíza Mayors 1825 - Present

Year	Mayor	Year	Mayor
1825	Juan de la Mata Monge	1881	Ricardo García
1826	Antonio Cordero	1883	José María Marina y José M. Fernández
1834	José de Rivera Colon	1884	José María Marina
1847	Antonio Font	1885	Pedro Ramos y José María Marina
1848	Antonio B. Padilla, Ramón Ramos y José Simón Romero	1886	José María Marina
1851	Juan Francisco Acosta	1888	Villalobos
1853	Juan José Adzuar	1890	Manuel Suárez Castrillon
1859	Juan Bautista L. Marrero	1892	Juan María Marina
1860	Juan Vizcarrondo	1896	Vicente Díaz
1864	Manuel Boscana	1897	Manuel Suárez Castrillon
1866	José Gregorio Coca	1898	José Sosa Oliva
1867	Zequeira	1901	David Carrión
1870	Ricardo Gallardo y Francisco Franco	1901	Jacinto Morales
1872	Ramón González y Ricardo García	1902	Jacinto Morales
1873	Manuel Boscana Guillermetti	1905	Juan Calderón Mújica
1874	Ricardo García, Ricardo Parsons y Francisco Fernández	1907	Luis Hernaiz Veronne
1877	Ricardo García	1910	Luis Hernaiz Veronne
1878	Saturnino González	1973	Gabriel Santos López
1879	Francisco Acosta y Saturnino González	1993- 2004	Ferdín Carrasquillo Ayala
1880	Francisco Acosta	2004- Present	Eddie Manzo

Source: Municipality of Loíza

Mayor:

Hon. Eddie Manzo (PNP) P.O. Box 508 Loíza, P.R. 00772 (787) 876-3570

2004 General Election Results Municipality of Loíza Party Candidate Votes Percent   EDDIE MANSO 7,097 50.45% VIRGILIO (KAKO) ESCOBAR 3,933 27.96% FERDIN CARRASQUILLO AYALA 2,524 17.94% MARTA VAZQUEZ 196 1.39% *OTHERS 318 2.26% Total 14,068   Breakdown of Others   Reported Voting Centers Participation Direct Nomination 11   Registered Voters 18,905 Blank 81   Votes 14,068 Null 226   Participation Percent 74.41% Reported Voting Centers: 61 out of 61 for 100.00%   Total Registered 18,905

Source: Comisión Estatal de Elecciones de Puerto Rico