Vega Baja barrio-pueblo is a barrio and downtown area that serves as the administrative center ( seat ) of Vega Baja , a municipality of Puerto Rico . Its population in 2010 was 816.
32-635: Vega Baja ( Spanish pronunciation: [ˈbeɣa ˈβaxa] ) is a town and municipality located on the coast of north central Puerto Rico . It is north of Morovis , east of Manatí , and west of Vega Alta . Vega Baja is spread over 14 barrios. The population of the municipality was 54,414 at the 2020 census . It is part of the San Juan–Caguas–Guaynabo metropolitan statistical area . The name Vega Baja in Spanish means 'lower valley' ( Vega Alta meaning 'upper valley'). Historians believe that
64-534: 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 Vega Baja: Alto de Cuba, Callejón Pérez and Sector El Hoyo in Barrio Algarrobo, Guarico Viejo, and La Trocha-Río Abajo. Puerto Rico was ceded by Spain in
96-610: A mayor every four years to administer the city. The educator Marcos Cruz Molina is the mayor since 2013 and Rafael “Piro” Martinez is the President of the Municipal Legislature. The city belongs to the Puerto Rico Senatorial district III , which is represented by two senators. In 2012, José "Joito" Pérez and Ángel "Chayanne" Martínez were elected as District Senators. Rafael (Tatito) Hernández
128-528: Is a place for official and unofficial recreational events and 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 : a propósito para las fiestas ), and that the square should be proportionally large enough for
160-554: Is a variation of the name Sebuco , who was a chief or Cacique Taíno of the region. These small tribes of Taínos were known to settle in the vicinity of the rivers. Although the Cibuco River is prone to floods due to heavy seasonal rains, the benefits provided to the land by the river are numerous. Taino rock carvings have been found on some of the exposed reefs in the vicinity of the Cibuco River. Among these carvings
192-690: Is also considered the official founding of the municipality itself. The famous Casa Alonso is a good example of the Neoclassical vernacular style developed by sugarcane plantation owners in the downtown area during this time. Vega Baja 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
224-498: Is one depicting a face and others shaped as fish. They are an indication that these reefs were frequented for spear fishing and perhaps other day-to-day activities. Other places like Carmelita, Maisabel, Cueva Maldita and Paso del Indio are known as archaeological sites where the aborigines established their communities. Drug trafficking has been an issue in Vega Baja for many years and in early 1990, $ 43 million dollars in cash
256-722: Is the Eleventh District Representative and Hector Torres the Twelve District Representative at the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico. There are 23 bridges in Vega Baja. The municipio has an official flag and coat of arms. Vega Baja's flag consists of a yellow cloth crossed by a green band. The band relates to the fertile valley and the river . The Vega Baja coat of arms has a v-shaped green band with overlapping roses in silver and three oranges trees, with gold fruit. At
288-417: Is today Vega Baja barrio-pueblo (downtown Vega Baja) was first founded in 1776 as Vega-Baxa del Naranjal de Nuestra Señora del Rosario by Don Antonio Viera in an area originally owned by Don Manuel Negrón Benítez. This is also considered the official founding of the municipality itself. The famous Casa Alonso is a good example of the Neoclassical vernacular style developed by sugarcane plantation owners in
320-659: The National Register of Historic Places since 1984. The entire historic downtown zone ( pueblo ) of Vega Baja has also been listed on the Puerto Rico Register of Historic Sites and Zones since 2004. Before being settled, the area used to be a sugarcane plantation. The settlement that is today Vega Baja barrio-pueblo (downtown Vega Baja) was first founded in 1776 as Vega-Baxa del Naranjal de Nuestra Señora del Rosario by Don Antonio Viera in an area originally owned by Don Manuel Negrón Benítez. This
352-706: The Northern Karst region of Puerto Rico, and the town is located on the Northern Plains. Like all municipalities of Puerto Rico, Vega Baja is subdivided into barrios . The municipal buildings, central square and large Catholic church are located in a barrio called "Pueblo" (barrio-pueblo on the US Census). Note: While the US Census and the PR GIS data, indicate there are 14 barrios in Vega Baja,
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#1732765790163384-564: The United States . In 1899, the United States Department of War conducted a census of Puerto Rico finding that the population of Pueblo was 2,288. The current city hall was built and inaugurated in 1923. Vega Baja barrio-pueblo Vega Baja barrio-pueblo is a barrio and downtown area that serves as the administrative center ( seat ) of Vega Baja , a municipality of Puerto Rico . Its population in 2010
416-623: The Vega Baja government page seems to exclude Vega Baja barrio-pueblo in its list of 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
448-537: 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 conducted its first census of Puerto Rico finding that the population of Vega Baja was 10,305. There are 14 beaches in Vega Baja. Some main attractions of Vega Baja include: The abundant fertility of its soil has meant Vega Baja has much agricultural and farming land. In addition, Vega Baja has one of
480-409: The downtown area during this time. Vega Baja 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 Pueblo
512-420: The island of Puerto Rico. With an area of about 121.4 square kilometres (46.9 sq mi) Vega Baja is a municipality on the north coast with some barrios on the coast and others in more mountainous areas. With an estimated population of 53,674 (2016, Census estimates) when Hurricane Maria struck, 48.5% were below poverty and 21.8% were people over the age of 60. The hurricane triggered numerous landslides in
544-400: The most visited beaches of the northern coastline, Puerto Nuevo Beach (officially Mar Bella Beach ). This beach attracts thousands of beachgoers annually, making it a center for local tourism, especially during the hot summer months. It boasts a natural rock formation of enormous proportions both in height and length colloquially named La Peña . This rock feature shelters the beach portion from
576-453: The municipality. Rivers were breached causing flooding of low-lying areas, and infrastructure including homes were destroyed. A tributary of the Cibuco River rose immediately putting 100 people's lives at risk. Many of those residents took refuge on roofs or sought out small boats to navigate the flooded waters and to help remove people who were trapped on roofs or inside residences. Then municipal staff picked people up in buses and took them to
608-592: The name Vega Baja comes from La Vega . Vega is a surname of one of the families involved in the foundation of Vega Baja. It is also believed that the name comes from the region of Spain La Vega Baja del Segura . Additionally, in Caribbean Spanish , a vega is also a tobacco plantation. Although is generally believed that Vega Baja was founded in 1776, after the division of Vega Alta from La Vega (modern day Vega Alta) historians have verified that it
640-568: 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 is the Church Santa María del Rosario of Vega Baja , a Roman Catholic church which was inaugurated in 1870. There had been another church there, built in 1795 and demolished in 1860. The church has been listed in
672-678: The open seas just behind it. During rough marine conditions, the rock feature protects beachgoers, while the spectacle of waves crashing from behind and cascading down its face can be appreciated in the relative safety of the beach. Vega Baja celebrates its patron saint festival in October. The Fiestas Patronales de Nuestra Virgen del Rosario is a religious and cultural celebration that generally features parades, games, artisans, amusement rides, regional food, and live entertainment. Other festivals and events celebrated in Vega Baja include: Vega Baja, like all municipalities of Puerto Rico , elect
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#1732765790163704-500: The shelter at the Lino Padrón school, where the electric generator nor school cistern worked. Telecommunications systems were destroyed causing state and municipal rescue officers to have to rely on radio communication signals, which were limited to a radius of a few miles. Radio signals did not reach Vega Baja and news, such as the fact that a curfew had been declared, only spread by word of mouth. The mayor, who lost his home, said
736-422: 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 is the Church Santa María del Rosario of Vega Baja , a Roman Catholic church which
768-459: The storm surge and hurricane winds destroyed most of the structures in Cerro Gordo, a coastal sector. The urban, downtown areas were impassable due to the large number of downed trees and power lines. The Cibuco River roe above PR-2 highway, preventing the passage to the adjoining town/ municipality of Vega Alta and heading west, a stretch could be covered with extreme difficulty, until it
800-545: The top part is a five-tower crown, silver, black and green. The main colors of the shield; green and gold are used traditionally in civic, scholastic and sports activities. The crown five tower indicates that the town holds the rank of "Villa" by royal decree. The anthem of Vega Baja is " A Vega Baja " with lyrics as written in 1974 by Adrián Santos Tirado and music by Roberto Sierra. The following schools are in Vega Baja: Vega Baja barrio-pueblo As
832-414: Was 816. As was customary in Spain, in Puerto Rico, the municipality has a barrio called pueblo which contains a central plaza, the municipal buildings (city hall), and a Catholic church. Fiestas patronales (patron saint festivals) are held in the central plaza every year. The Vega Baja central plaza is called La Plaza José Francisco Náter , and is named after a pharmacist from Vega Baja who
864-467: Was also blocked with the rising of the Río Grande de Manatí . The mayor stated, “We don't know what happened on the mountain. We have not been able to get there yet,” and “The destruction is so great. I don't know how to explain seeing the despair of a mother or an elderly person right now. It is not easy what we are living.” Vega Baja is located on the northern coast. The municipality is located along
896-421: Was also one of its mayors. The central plaza, or square, is a place for official and unofficial recreational events and 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 : a propósito para las fiestas ), and that
928-455: Was customary in Spain, in Puerto Rico, the municipality has a barrio called pueblo which contains a central plaza, the municipal buildings (city hall), and a Catholic church. Fiestas patronales (patron saint festivals) are held in the central plaza every year. The Vega Baja central plaza is called La Plaza José Francisco Náter , and is named after a pharmacist from Vega Baja who was also one of its mayors. The central plaza, or square,
960-497: Was found buried in plastic barrels, thought to have been deposited by drug smugglers for later retrieval. The sudden wealth of a few Vega Baja residents attracted attention and prompted an investigation by FBI and local police. By May 1990, the FBI had traced $ 11 million and seized and confiscated property and goods purchased with the money thought to belong to drug lord Ramon Torres Gonzalez. On September 20, 2017 Hurricane Maria struck
992-430: Was inaugurated in 1870. There had been another church there, built in 1795 and demolished in 1860. The church has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1984. The entire historic downtown zone ( pueblo ) of Vega Baja has also been listed on the Puerto Rico Register of Historic Sites and Zones since 2004. Before being settled, the area used to be a sugarcane plantation. The settlement that
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1024-618: Was many years later when it was officially recognized by the Spanish government. The foundation day is October 7, and it is also the day of commemorating the Virgin of the Rosary . Vega Baja was originally known as Vega-baxa del Naranjal de Nuestra Señora del Rosario (Vega Baja of the Orange Grove of Our Lady of the Rosary). Cibuco is one of the rivers that goes through Vega Baja, and
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