Manatí 1941 Photo by Jack Delano Foundation: Manatí (mah-nah-TEE) was officially founded by Don Pedro Menéndez Valdés in 1738. It was the ninth town in receiving the blessing of the Spanish Crown in Puerto Rico. The first Spanish town was established in Manatí by Juan Ponce of Leon attracted by the wealth of the valley and the promises of gold in the Manatuabón River. After constructing the first structures in the borders of the river and as a result of the violent swells of the waters, he left and founded Villa Caparra.        It is said that Manatí was baptized with this name because of the abundance of manatees in its waters. Others assure that the name has indigenous origin, derivative of the name of the river that the first inhabitants called Manatuabón River. As a result of its great cultural development during the first decades of the XX century it was baptized as "La Atenas De Puerto Rico" (Puerto Rico's Athens). It is a fertile area bathed by springs, lagoons, beaches and the impressive and mighty Grande de Manatí River.        Manatí became a city July, 1994 due to its economic and industrial development. Because of this fact the Coat Of Arms used by Manatí has a five-tower crown instead of three, characteristic of cities. Now Manatí is known as "Metropolitan City".         Manatí has been a city focused in acquiring the latest in technology for the benefit of its citizens. Manatí maked history during March 5, 1998, when the Athens Internet began operations; the first internet supplier at a global level administered by a municipality.         On November 4, 2002 public order codes were implemented for the Manatí urban area. This initiative's intention is to establish essential norms to improve the quality of life of the citizens. Location: It's located in the northern coast, it borders north with the Atlantic Ocean, south with Morovis and Ciales, west with Florida and Barceloneta and east with Vega Baja. Area: 120.0 sq km / 46.0 sq mi Population: 45,409 (census 2000) Population Density: 378.4 per sq km / 987.1 per sq mi People are known as: Manatieños / Atenienses Manatí is also known as: Ciudad Metropolitana (Metropolitan City) La Atenas de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico's Athens) Wards: Census 2000: Population by Wards - Manatí Habitants Bajura Adentro 2,382 Bajura Afuera 737 Coto Norte 11,311 Coto Sur 9,045 Manatí Town 7,162 Río Arriba Poniente 1,769 Río Arriba Saliente 3,119 Tierras Nuevas Poniente 4,098 Tierras Nuevas Saliente 5,786 Total 45,409 Source: Census 2000 Political Division - Administrative: Senatorial District # 3 Arecibo represented by Hon. José Emilio González (PNP) and Hon. Pedro J. Rosselló (PNP) . Representative District # 12 & # 13 represented by Hon. Héctor Torres # 12 (PNP) and Hon. Gabriel Rodríguez # 13 (PNP).

Patron:

Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria Parish Calle Betances-Padial Manatí, Puerto Rico 00674 (787) 854-2013 Foundation:1738 Mass Schedule Dairy: 6:30am & 7:00pm Saturdays: 6:30am & 7:00pm Sundays: 7:00am, 9:00am, 10:30am & 7:00pm

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