Foundation: The territory occupied by Vega Baja (VAI-gah BAH-hah) today, has been inhabited for 2,358 years. The first inhabitants of the then called region of Cibuco were Indians. The Cibuco region was slowly populated by a rural society dedicated mainly to the raising of cattle. Vega Baja was founded according to the historians in 1776. Its first name was Vega-Baxa del Naranjal de Nuestra Señora del Rosario. Don Antonio Viera, Settler Captain, was the spokesman who formally asked for the recognition of Vega Baja as a town. Don Manuel Negrón Benítez donated 200 acres for the construction of the town was. The first elections under the Spanish dominion were celebrated in Vega Baja the September 9, 1812.     During the XIX century agriculture had a great development, specially in the cultivation of sugar cane. This brought as consequence an increase in the number of slaves. In the 1848 there was a slave revolt in Vega Baja, due to the cruel treatment they received from their masters. The movement failed and in order to teach them a lesson the mulato Miguel was shot, because he was considered the leader of the so called "revolt of slaves".     In 1862 Vega Baja was classified as a town of first class in the civil aspect. At the beginning of the XX century, agriculture continued being the main occupation of the Vegabajeños. The San Vicente Sugar Refinery offered employment to several people while others made their living in the cultivation of sugar cane and fruits. When the San Vicente Sugar Refinery ceased operations in 1968 it was necessary to look for new sources of employment for the residents of Vega Baja.     Many industries were established and slowly the agricultural population eminently became an industrialist. In the Cabo Caribe ward there's a industrial zone established where many factories operate, dedicated in a large extent to the manufacture of electronic related products. Outside that area, in the Pugnado Afuera ward, V'Soske Shop operates the most prestigious carpet factory in the New World. In the Ceiba and Sabana wards the Warner Lambert Company has one of its most important operations established. Contributing to the economy and progress of the town are also: Centros Comerciales Las Vegas, Vega Baja Mall and other commerce located in the urban zone. Source: Bienvenidos a Vega Baja Location: It is located in the center of the northern coast. To the north it borders with the Atlantic Ocean, south with Morovis, west with Manatí and east Vega Alta. Area: 121.4 sq km / 46.7 sq mi Population: 61,929 (census 2000) Population Density: 510.1 per sq km / 1,326.1 per sq mi People are known as: Vegabajeños Vega Baja is also known as: Ciudad del "Melao Melao" (City of "Syrup") Wards: Census 2000: Population by Wards - Vega Baja Habitants Algarrobo      16,562    Almirante Norte    3,911    Almirante Sur     3,325    Cabo Caribe    4,581    Ceiba    5,392    Cibuco    54    Puerto Nuevo    5,463    Pugnado Adentro    1,327    Pugnado Afuera    11,959    Quebrada Arenas    670    Río Abajo    5,620    Río Arriba    451    Vega Baja Town    890    Yeguada    1,724    Total   61,929 Source: Census 2000 Political Division - Administrative: Senatorial District # 4 Arecibo represented by Hon. Rafael Rodríguez Vargas (PPD) y el Hon. Julio Rodríguez Gómez (PPD). Representative District # 12 represented by Hon. José Colón González PPD). Matron: Nuestra Señora Del Rosario Nuestra Señora Del Rosario Parish P.O. Box 1388 Vega Baja, P.R. 00694-1388 (787) 858-2969 Founded: 1794 Topography: Predominantly level, due to its location in Northern Coastal Valley. It also belongs to the karst zone thus displaying numerous wooded hills, caves and drains. Hydrography: It is watered by the Cibuco, Indio, Unibón and Morovis rivers. The Tortuguero Lagoon is located between the municipalities of Manatí and Vega Baja. It also counts with the Puerto Nuevo. In the Cabo Caribe ward is the Cibuco marsh. Economy: Agriculture (sugar cane, pineapple, fruit and cattle) and manufacture (leather articles, machinery, electrical and electronic equipment, clothing and carpets). Average Salary: $381.82 weekly (1998) Flag: Vega Baja's flag consists of a yellow cloth, crossed by a green band. The colors yellow and green are the colors used traditionally in the town, during civic, sport and cultural activities. The band is relates to the fertile valley and the river. Coat Of Arms: The Vega Baja Coat of Arms has a v-shape green band, with overlapping roses in silver and three oranges tress, with fruits in gold. In the superior part a five tower crown, silverplated with black and green. All the elements of the primitive and present name of the town represented in the shield. The roses refer to the Virgin of the Rosary, matron of Vega Baja. The band refres to the fertile valley and the orange to the Naranjal (orange grove), the original name of the population.     The main colors of the shield; green and gold are used traditionally in civic, scholastic and sport activities. The crown five tower indicates that the town holds the rank of Villa by Royal Real Decree. Vega Baja Public Schools. Name Level Telephone Address AGAPITO ROSARIO ROSARIO Elementary (787) 858-2988 PO Box 7004 ALMIRANTE SUR II Elementary (787) 855-6423 PO Box 4396 ALMIRANTITO Elementary (787) 858-6473 PMB 9906 PO Box 7004 CABO CARIBE Elementary (787) 855-9327 PO Box 4396 CENTRO COMUNAL Elementary (787) 858-1763 PO Box 718 DR. JESÚS M. ARMAIZ Elementary (787) 858-4869 PO Box 60 EUGENIO MARIA DE HOSTOS Elementary (787) 855-6186 PO Box 718 FEDERICO DEGETAU Elementary (787) 855-1401 PO Box 4396 FERNANDO ROSARIO VÁZQUEZ Elementary (787) 858-1953 PO Box 1366 JOSÉ DE DIEGO Elementary (787) 855-9348 PO Box 4396 JOSÉ GUALBERTO PADILLA Elementary (787) 858-2520 PO Box 1437 MANUEL NEGRÓN COLLAZO I Elementary (787) 858-3566 PO Box 8764 MANUEL PADILLA DÁVILA Elementary (787) 855-3359 Calle 1 PO Box 83 OFELIA DÍAZ Elementary (787) 858-8767 PO Box 718 RAFAEL HERNÁNDEZ Elementary (787) 858-1994 PO Box 100 ROSA M. RODRÍGUEZ Elementary (787) 855-5522 PO Box 4396 SAN VICENTE Elementary (787) 858-3587 PO Box 82 ÁNGEL SANDÍN MARTÍNEZ Intermediate (787) 858-2120 PO Box 7004 BRÍGIDA ÁLVAREZ RODRÍGUEZ Intermediate (787) 855-6327 PO Box 2066 CENTRO DE ADIESTRAMIENTO Secondary (787) 855-1360 PO Box 4483 ALMIRANTE NORTE Second Unit (787) 858-5252 PO Box 7004 MANUEL MARTÍNEZ DÁVILA Second Unit (787) 858-1152 PO Box 1730 JUAN QUIRINDONGO MORELL High School (787) 858-0859 PO Box 1618 LINO PADRÓN RIVERA High School (787) 858-2110 PO Box 4096 Source: Departamento De Educación Hymn: Lirics: Adrián Santos Tirado Música por Roberto Sierra Más dulce que la miel es tu recuerdo, cuando lejos estoy, pueblo querido, Mi alma te la envío en un suspiro, y en viaje hacia el ensueño en ti me pierdo. El agua de Cibuco es cual caricia para mi alma sedienta de nostalgia, y llego a un Puerto Nuevo cada día donde es radiante el cielo y las espumas cantan. Aún de los naranjales queda el oro convertido en canción, arte y poesía; y en la dulce colmena de tus calles se afana el revuelo que vierten tus montes y sabanas. No importa que me marche cazador de quimeras; yo quiero caminar por tu calle infinita, y dormir para siempre una tarde cualquiera en la apacible cuna de tu tierra bendita. Events: Melao Melao Marathon - October Matron Celebrations - October Christmas Festival - December Places To Visit: El Trece Recreational Area Puerto Nuevo Recreational Area Tortuguero Recreational Area House of Culture and Tourism Melao Melao Artisan Center Tortuguero Lagoon Mar Chiquita Man of the Sugar Cane Monument Casa Alonso Museum Jorge Otero Military Museum Trinitarias Park Migrante Square Hall Of Fame Fenix Theater Distinguished Citizens: Rafael Balseiro Dávila - Pianista and composer. José I. de Díego Padró - Poet Trina Padílla de Sanz - Storyteller and poet. Rafael López Landrón - Writer Pedro Regalado de Diego González - Poet Facundo Rivera Natal - Poet Emiliano Martínez Avilés - Writer Vega Baja Mayors 1898 - Present Year Mayor Year Mayor 1898-1899 Federico M. Carreras 1921-1932 José Cestero Guardiola 1899-1900 Federico Font Camuñas 1932-1936 Jesús M. Armaiz 1900-1900 Manuel Otero 1936-1939 Enrique Torres Concepción 1901-1910 José Francisco Nater 1940-1958 Ángel Sandín Martínez 1911-1912 Luis García Colón 1958-1972 Rafael Cano Llovio 1913-1914 José Pérez Cruz 1973-Present Luis E. Meléndez Cano 1915-1921 Emilio Miranda Negrón     Source: Municipality of Vega Baja Mayor: Hon. Luis E. Meléndez Cano (PPD) P.O. Box 4555 Vega Baja, P.R. 00694 (787) 855- 2500 Website: Bienvenidos A Vega Baja Email: info@vegabaja.gov.pr       General Elections 2000: Mayor of Vega Baja Revised 9 August 2001   Party Candidate Votes %   1   PPD   LUIS E. MELENDEZ CANO    16,783    52.2          PNP   EDGAR SANTANA    14,212    44.2          PIP   ROSE MARY MORALES CABRERA    883    2.7          N/A   *OTHERS    262    0.8         TOTAL    32,140         *   Others   9    *   Blank   112    *   Null   141       Referred To Special Table  15     Reported Voting Centers: 122 out of 122 for 100.0%        Registered   39,696    Votes   32,372    Participation   81.0%