Caguas Pueblo is a barrio and downtown area that serves the administrative center ( seat ) of the city and municipality of Caguas , a municipality of Puerto Rico. It is bordered by the Cagüitas River to the north and located two miles southwest of the Río Grande de Loíza . Its population in 2020 was 19,020.
54-555: Caguas ( Spanish pronunciation: [ˈkaɣwas] , locally [ˈkawaʔ] ) is a city and municipality in central eastern Puerto Rico . Located in the eponymous Caguas Valley between the Sierra de Cayey and Sierra de Luquillo of the Central Mountain Range , it is bordered by San Juan and Trujillo Alto to the north, Gurabo and San Lorenzo to the west, Aguas Buenas , Cidra and Cayey to
108-873: A certain amount of social exclusion . A map shows these communities occur in nearly every municipality of the commonwealth. Of the 742 places that were on the list in 2014, the following barrios, communities, sectors, or neighborhoods were in Caguas: Bairoa La 25, Morales neighborhood, Parcelas Viejas in Borinquén, Sector La Barra, and Comunidad La Quebrada in Río Cañas, Hoyo Frío in Las Carolinas, Lajitas, Las Carolinas, Los Muchos, Los Panes in Beatriz, and Savarona. There are seven places in Caguas listed on
162-595: A five-point border at the summit of Cerro La Santa , with Cayey and San Lorenzo . This is the tallest point of the Sierra de Cayey , not to be confused with Montaña Santa (officially called Cerro de Nuestra Madre) which is another mountain in the same massif located on the boundary between the municipalities of Patillas and San Lorenzo. At this point there are two tall antennas which provide signal to Puerto Rico's principal TV stations such as WKAQ-TV and WAPA-TV . No road passes exactly at this point, and it can be approached nearby through Puerto Rico Highway 184 . The city
216-551: A one cent tax for every dollar spent at all retail businesses. The tax has become known around the island as the " Willie Tax ." It resulted in an estimated $ 500,000 monthly income for the city. However, the municipal tax was increased to 1.5% after the establishment of the 5.5% state tax, for a total of 7%, and the tax was declared illegal by the Puerto Rico's Supreme Court. In 2006, Miranda Marín began calling Caguas "El Nuevo País de Caguas" ("The New Country of Caguas"). During
270-400: A propósito para las fiestas ), and that the square should be proportionally large enough for the number of neighbors ( Spanish : grandeza proporcionada al número de vecinos ). These Spanish regulations also stated that the streets nearby should be comfortable portals for passersby, protecting them from the elements: sun and rain. Located across from the central plaza in Caguas barrio-pueblo
324-400: A propósito para las fiestas ), and that the square should be proportionally large enough for the number of neighbors ( Spanish : grandeza proporcionada al número de vecinos ). These Spanish regulations also stated that the streets nearby should be comfortable portals for passersby, protecting them from the elements: sun and rain. Located across from the central plaza in Caguas barrio-pueblo
378-590: A roof and 30 were flooded in the Morales neighborhood. Escuela Segunda Unidad Diego Vázquez and the Centro Multiusos flooded as well. The city and municipality of Caguas are located approximately 30 minutes from the coastline both on the east ( Humacao ) and the north ( San Juan ). It is east of Aguas Buenas and Cidra , north of Cayey , south of San Juan , and west of Gurabo and Trujillo Alto . It also shares borders with Guayama and Patillas via
432-521: Is a basketball team that did not enjoy as much success as their baseball counterparts. However, in the early 2000s, they showed a lot of progress by reaching the national playoffs various times. The team was a member of the BSN . In 2006, the team won its first BSN national basketball championship, defeating Flor Melendez and his Santurce Crabbers in five games. Caguas is home to the Bairoa Gym , one of
486-815: Is a distinct wet and dry season. Rainfall is common in relative abundance throughout most of the year, although there is less rain than in the eastern coastal valleys. The land, however, is fertile and deep. Like all municipalities of Puerto Rico, Caguas is subdivided into barrios : Barrios (which are, in contemporary times, roughly comparable to minor civil divisions ) and subbarrios, are further subdivided into smaller areas called sectores ( sectors in English). The types of sectores may vary, from normally sector to urbanización to reparto to barriada to residencial , among others. Comunidades Especiales de Puerto Rico (Special Communities of Puerto Rico) are marginalized communities whose citizens are experiencing
540-454: Is a religious and cultural celebration that generally features parades, games, artisans, amusement rides, regional food, and live entertainment. Other festivals and events include: The Criollos de Caguas baseball team is considered one of the greatest of all time in all of Latin America, having won 18 national Puerto Rico titles and 5 Caribbean World Series titles The team is a member of
594-563: Is located in one of the largest valleys in Puerto Rico, the Valle de Caguas or Caguas Valley (also known as Valle del Turabo or the Turabo Valley). Being located in a valley, Caguas has the distinction of being relatively flat except near the borders with all the mentioned municipalities except Gurabo. The valley is bordered by the Altos de La Mesa and San Luis ranges in the north,
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#1732780119615648-704: Is located in the middle plains of the Caguas Valley . It is bordered by the Cagüitas River to the north, the Loíza River to the east and the Turabo River to the south. The area where downtown Caguas is located today was originally inhabited by the Taíno people. This area of the valley was ideal for the cultivation of crops, such as cassava , due to the fertile river-fed soil. At the time of
702-409: Is located in the middle plains of the Caguas Valley . It is bordered by the Cagüitas River to the north, the Loíza River to the east and the Turabo River to the south. The area where downtown Caguas is located today was originally inhabited by the Taíno people. This area of the valley was ideal for the cultivation of crops, such as cassava , due to the fertile river-fed soil. At the time of
756-671: Is named after the local Taino chieftain Caguax , who at the time of the Spanish arrival in 1493 was cacique of the yucayeque and region of Turabo. The name Caguax itself might be related to the Taino word for snail or slug: ‘cagua’, similar to other Arawakan and Cariban proper names such as Cagua in Venezuela (from the Cumanagoto word cahigua ). Caguas is nicknamed "Valley of
810-569: Is not located in a coastal area. On August 7, 2002, Caguas was the site of the 2002 USAF Hercules air disaster , where all 10 military personnel on board lost their lives after an airplane carrying them struck a mountain in the south of the municipality. Hurricane Maria on September 20, 2017, triggered numerous landslides in Caguas with its wind and rain. Rivers were breached causing flooding of low-lying areas, and infrastructure and homes were destroyed. The hurricane caused $ 90 million in damages in Caguas. More specifically, 40 homes were left without
864-497: Is one of the largest main town squares or plazas in Puerto Rico. The central plaza or square, is a public space that is often used for official and unofficial recreational events and is a place where people can gather and socialize from dusk to dawn. The Laws of the Indies , Spanish law, which regulated life in Puerto Rico in the early 19th century, stated the plaza's purpose was for "the parties" (celebrations, festivities) ( Spanish :
918-444: Is one of the largest main town squares or plazas in Puerto Rico. The central plaza or square, is a public space that is often used for official and unofficial recreational events and is a place where people can gather and socialize from dusk to dawn. The Laws of the Indies , Spanish law, which regulated life in Puerto Rico in the early 19th century, stated the plaza's purpose was for "the parties" (celebrations, festivities) ( Spanish :
972-560: Is the Catedral Dulce Nombre de Jesús which serves as the regional Catholic cathedral. A hermitage was built in 1626 and by 1775 it had been renamed to its current name. In 1830 the construction of a church made of masonry began. The church was used until 1928 when it was damaged by San Felipe Segundo hurricane . Having sustained too much damage, it was demolished and reconstructed starting in 1936 based on an architectural design by Pedro Méndez and Joseph O'Kelly. The church
1026-491: Is the Catedral Dulce Nombre de Jesús which serves as the regional Catholic cathedral. A hermitage was built in 1626 and by 1775 it had been renamed to its current name. In 1830 the construction of a church made of masonry began. The church was used until 1928 when it was damaged by San Felipe Segundo hurricane . Having sustained too much damage, it was demolished and reconstructed starting in 1936 based on an architectural design by Pedro Méndez and Joseph O'Kelly. The church
1080-1075: The COVID-19 pandemic in Puerto Rico , the Puerto Rico Tourism Company launched the Voy Turistiendo (I'm Touring) campaign in 2021. The campaign featured a passport book with a page for each municipality. The Voy Turisteando Caguas passport page lists the Jardín Botánico William Miranda Marin , the Catedral Dulce Nombre de Jesús , the Plaza de Recreo Santiago R. Palmer and the Museo de Artes Populares as places of interest. Caguas celebrates its patron saint festival in July. The Fiestas Patronales de Nuestra Sra. del Carmen
1134-759: The City Hall building at the western edge of the main town square until 2010 when a new City Hall building located in the northwestern side of the downtown area was inaugurated. The historic downtown district ( pueblo ) of Caguas was listed on the Puerto Rico Register of Historic Sites and Zones ( Registro Nacional de Sitios y Zonas Históricas ) on July 6, 1996, under the name Zona Histórica de Caguas . Caguas Pueblo ( Spanish : Pueblo de Caguas ), officially designated as Caguas Barrio-pueblo and popularly referred to as Downtown Caguas in English,
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#17327801196151188-532: The Liga de Béisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico ( LBPPR ). Three of the first five Puerto Ricans that played Major League Baseball in the U.S. mainland, at one point in their careers played for the Criollos de Caguas ( Luis Rodríguez Olmo , Victor Pellot Power , Roberto Clemente ). The Criollos de Caguas basketball team, founded in 1968 by Dr. Héctor "Tato" Dávila and Lcdo. Libertario Pérez Rodríguez (a lawyer),
1242-706: The Sierra de Luquillo on the northeast, the San Lorenzo batholith to the east, the Sierra de Cayey on the south and the main range of the Cordillera Central to the west. This valley is fed mainly by the Grande de Loíza River , one of Puerto Rico's major rivers that feed into the Atlantic Ocean , and numerous tributaries such as the Cagüitas , along which the contemporary settlement of Caguas
1296-465: The Spanish colonization the local tribes were led by the cacique Caguax , from whom the Spanish settlement of San Sebastián del Piñal de Caguax got its name. This village was granted town privileges in 1812 and its first city hall was built in 1820 when it received the title of Villa y cabeza de distrito de Provincia de España (" Villa and District headquarters of a Spanish province"). The village
1350-411: The Spanish colonization the local tribes were led by the cacique Caguax , from whom the Spanish settlement of San Sebastián del Piñal de Caguax got its name. This village was granted town privileges in 1812 and its first city hall was built in 1820 when it received the title of Villa y cabeza de distrito de Provincia de España (" Villa and District headquarters of a Spanish province"). The village
1404-776: The US National Register of Historic Places : Other landscapes, landmarks and tourist attractions in Caguas include: The municipality of Caguas is home to various parks and natural protected areas managed by different governmental entities ranging from the municipal government, the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources , the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust , and the United States Fish & Wildlife Service . To stimulate local tourism during
1458-407: The 1990 US Census) which contains a central plaza or main town square, the municipal buildings (such as the city hall), and a Catholic church. Fiestas patronales (patron saint festivals) are held in the main town square every year. The municipal and mayoral offices were located in the City Hall building at the western edge of the main town square until 2010 when a new City Hall building located in
1512-469: The Senatorial district VII (Humacao), which is represented by two Senators. In 2016, Miguel Laureano (PNP) and José Luis Dalmau (PPD) were elected as District Senators. The municipio or municipality has an official flag and coat of arms. The colors blue and gold were chosen for the shield, distinctive of the city of Caguas. The figures symbolize both the indigenous and Christian origins of
1566-640: The Turabo" ( Valle del Turabo ) in reference to the former cacicazgo and yucayeque lead by Caguax. The Turabo River is also named after this geopolitical toponym. Other nicknames for Caguas include “the Criollo city” ( La Ciudad Criolla ) and “the Cradle of Trovadores ” ( La Cuna de los Trovadores ). The city is often known as the “center and heart of Puerto Rico” (c entro y corazón de Puerto Rico ) for its geographical location, and one of its municipal anthems bears
1620-474: The United States conducted its first census of Puerto Rico finding that the population of Caguas was 19,857. In 2020, Caguas had a population of 127,244 compared to 142,893 in 2010. This shows an 11% decrease in the population in the municipality. The population density in 2020 was 2,200 people per square mile (850 people/km). Hispanic or Latino of any race constitute 98.4% of the population of
1674-468: The city. The coat of arms consists of a shield with a blue field. Upon the field are two sets of three golden arrows, forming a cross of St. Andrew . Above the cross is a crown which represents Caguax , cacique of the Turabo Valley region at the time of the arrival of the Spanish conquerors. Arrows were used as a remembrance of the first Christian place of worship established in the region which
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1728-498: The colloquial Área Metro of San Juan ( San Juan , Cataño , Bayamón , Guaynabo and Carolina ), the municipality of Caguas is located in the census-based San Juan Metropolitan Area due to its role as a commuter town . The average commute time for residents of the municipality is 30.5 minutes. Caguas is the fourth most populous city in the San Juan Metropolitan region and the most populous city in Puerto Rico that
1782-414: The development of cattle farms such as Hato de Bairoa , Hato de Caguax and Hato de Gurabo . Caguas was officially founded on January 1, 1775, as San Sebastián del Piñal de Caguax , with the name later being shortened and modernized to its current form. The site of the historic downtown area of Caguas and its central square dates to 1779. In 1820, the settlement was granted the title of Villa and it
1836-444: The early part of the 20th century, Caguas hosted one of Puerto Rico's most important sugar manufacturers, which gave employment to thousands of Cagüeños. Numerous businesses and important buildings have opened in Caguas since the 1970s, including the imposing 23 story apartment building Caguas Tower , its adjacent competitors Bonneville Apartments, and the 10 floor Menonita Hospital . There are also several shopping centers: In 1899,
1890-551: The east, and Patillas to the south. With a population of 127,244 as of the 2020 census , Caguas is the fifth most populated municipality in the archipelago and island and a principal city of the San Juan metropolitan area . Since 2009, Caguas is the only municipality in Puerto Rico recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation . Caguas, originally founded as San Sebastián del Piñal de Caguax ,
1944-594: The finals more than 15 times. The team is a member of the Liga de Voleibol Superior Femenino (LVSF). The Criollos de Caguas FC soccer team is considered one of the most successful clubs in the island winning multiple tournaments and cups in Puerto Rican soccer including the National League Title in 2015. In September 2005, city mayor William Miranda Marín levied the first municipal tax in Puerto Rico via city ordinance. Area merchants now charge
1998-594: The last two decades of the 19th century, made Caguas more accessible therefore causing the population of the town to grow even more. Puerto Rico was ceded by Spain in the aftermath of the Spanish–American War under the terms of the Treaty of Paris of 1898 and became a territory of the United States. In 1899, the United States Department of War conducted a census of Puerto Rico finding that
2052-400: The most important boxing gyms in all Puerto Rico and a place where many local and visiting champions and otherwise notable boxers have trained at; such as boxing Welterweight Champion Miguel Cotto , his brother Jose Miguel , Alberto Mercado , Juan Carazo , Alfredo Escalera and others. The Criollas de Caguas women's volleyball team has won 9 national Puerto Rico titles and has made it to
2106-590: The municipality. There are also communities of Dominicans , Cubans and Colombians . All municipalities in Puerto Rico are administered by a mayor , elected every four years. The mayor of the city of Caguas were 1953 to 1969 - Angel Rivera PPD 1969 to 1973 - Miguel Hernandez Rodriguez (New Progressive Party (PNP)) 1973 to 1977 - Angel O. Berrios Diaz (PPD) 1977 to 1981 - Miguel Hernandez Rodriguez (PNP) 1981 to 1997 - Angel O. Berrios Diaz (PPD) 1997 to 2010 - William Miranda Marín (PPD) 2010 to present - William Miranda Torres (PPD) The city belongs to
2160-456: The northwestern side of the downtown area was inaugurated. The historic downtown district ( pueblo ) of Caguas was listed on the Puerto Rico Register of Historic Sites and Zones ( Registro Nacional de Sitios y Zonas Históricas ) on July 6, 1996, under the name Zona Histórica de Caguas . Caguas Pueblo ( Spanish : Pueblo de Caguas ), officially designated as Caguas Barrio-pueblo and popularly referred to as Downtown Caguas in English,
2214-626: The population of Caguas was 19,857. The city grew considerably in size during the 1970s and quickly became an exurb of San Juan to the north due to its location. The region of Caguas became an important pharmaceuticals manufacturing center during this time. Pharmaceutical companies originally came to Puerto Rico in the late 1960s and 1970s to take advantage of the now-expired federal tax incentive known as Section 936 . This incentive allowed U.S.-based manufacturers to send all profits from local plants to stateside parent plants without having to pay any federal taxes. Although not typically seen as part of
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2268-480: The region of Caguas is susceptible to earthquakes. The municipality is located along the Great Northern Puerto Rico fault zone (GNPRfz) and in recent times the region experienced moderate size earthquakes in 1990 and 2010 . The climate is classified as a tropical monsoon climate , meaning the daily mean temperature from month to month is never less than 64.4 °F (18.0 °C), and there
2322-506: The same. In recent years the municipality has also been referred to as “the new Caguas country” or “the new land of Caguas” ( el nuevo país de Caguas ) by the media and the former mayor William Miranda Marín . The area of the Valley of Caguas was first settled by the Saladoid culture , an Arawak culture which originated in northern South America (today Venezuela ), approximately between
2376-485: The time of the Spanish arrival . The Spanish conquistadors further developed the agriculture in the valley, while also establishing mines in search of gold , silver and copper . Most of the native Taínos living in the area were either forced out or taken as slaves and moved to the Real Hacienda del Toa (in modern-day Toa Alta and Toa Baja ). Most of the valley was later cleared of its original vegetation for
2430-511: The years 100 BCE to 600 CE. Findings from the Cagüitas archaeological site (CS-2) indicate that the area was later inhabited by various pre- Taíno (Ostionoid) cultures which first developed agriculture in the valley, primarily the cultivation of cassava , and hunted now extinct species such as hutias . As with the rest of Puerto Rico, the Taínos were the primary group living in the valley at
2484-479: Was 19,020. As was customary in Spain , in Puerto Rico, the municipality has a barrio called pueblo ( barrio-pueblo starting with the 1990 US Census) which contains a central plaza or main town square, the municipal buildings (such as the city hall), and a Catholic church. Fiestas patronales (patron saint festivals) are held in the main town square every year. The municipal and mayoral offices were located in
2538-403: Was 5,450. The area was heavily damaged by San Felipe Segundo (also known as the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane ) in 1928 and many historical buildings were demolished then, which is why many of the older buildings, such as the cathedral, date from the 1930s after many rebuilding projects in the downtown took place. The main town square of Caguas is named Plaza de Recreo Santiago R. Palmer . This
2592-403: Was 5,450. The area was heavily damaged by San Felipe Segundo (also known as the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane ) in 1928 and many historical buildings were demolished then, which is why many of the older buildings, such as the cathedral, date from the 1930s after many rebuilding projects in the downtown took place. The main town square of Caguas is named Plaza de Recreo Santiago R. Palmer . This
2646-453: Was built. The city's nickname Valle del Turabo comes from the Turabo River , which is another tributary that flows from the south. The Gurabo River , another major tributary, feeds into the Grande de Loíza at a region where the valley narrows into a rift valley that runs from west to east and ends in Humacao in the southeastern coast of the island. As with other parts of Puerto Rico,
2700-475: Was dedicated under the patronage of St. Sebastian . There are pineapples interspersed to reflect the native agriculture. A castellated wall surmounts the shield to show the city's having been granted status as a municipality by the Spanish Crown . Caguas barrio-pueblo As was customary in Spain , in Puerto Rico, the municipality has a barrio called pueblo ( barrio-pueblo starting with
2754-476: Was finally granted full city rights in 1894. Caguas barrio-pueblo was in Spain's gazetteers until Puerto Rico was ceded by Spain in the aftermath of the Spanish–American War under the terms of the Treaty of Paris of 1898 and became an unincorporated territory of the United States . In 1899, the United States Department of War conducted a census of Puerto Rico finding that the population of Caguas Pueblo
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#17327801196152808-424: Was finally granted full city rights in 1894. Caguas barrio-pueblo was in Spain's gazetteers until Puerto Rico was ceded by Spain in the aftermath of the Spanish–American War under the terms of the Treaty of Paris of 1898 and became an unincorporated territory of the United States . In 1899, the United States Department of War conducted a census of Puerto Rico finding that the population of Caguas Pueblo
2862-413: Was granted city rights in 1894. Sugarcane was the primary crop during this time and important sugarcane plantations and refineries were those of Central Santa Juana (close to modern day Plaza Centro ) and Central Santa Catalina (modern day Las Catalinas Mall ). The Carretera Central , which is the first paved road to cross Puerto Rico from north to south connecting San Juan to Ponce , was built during
2916-492: Was restored in 1999. In 1964 the church became a cathedral. Places in Caguas barrio-pueblo: Caguas barrio-pueblo Caguas Pueblo is a barrio and downtown area that serves the administrative center ( seat ) of the city and municipality of Caguas , a municipality of Puerto Rico. It is bordered by the Cagüitas River to the north and located two miles southwest of the Río Grande de Loíza . Its population in 2020
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