| Vega Baja, Puerto Rico | |||
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| Nickname: Ciudad del "Melao Melao" | |||
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| Coordinates: | |||
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| Country | United States | ||
| Territory | Puerto Rico | ||
| Founded | October 3, 1776 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Hon. Edgar Santana Rivera (P.N.P) | ||
| - Senatorial dist. | 3 - Arecibo | ||
| - Representative dist. | 12 | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 55.7 sq mi (144.28 km²) | ||
| - Land | 47.1 sq mi (122 km²) | ||
| - Water | 8.6 sq mi (22.28 km²) | ||
| Population (2000) | |||
| - Total | 63,355 | ||
| - Density | 1,321.2/sq mi (510.1/km²) | ||
| - Gentilic | Vegabajeños | ||
| Time zone | AST (UTC-4) | ||
| Anthem – "Más dulce que la miel es tu recuerdo" | |||
Vega Baja (VAI-gah BAH-hah) is a municipality in north central Puerto Rico located in northern coast, north of Morovis; east of Manatí; and west of Vega Alta. Vega Baja is spread over 13 wards and Vega Baja Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city).
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History
Vega Baja was founded in October 3, 1776 by Antonio Viera, with the name of "Vega-baxa del Naranjal de Nuestra Señora del Rosario".
"Cibuco", name of one of the rivers that carve its fertile lands, is a variation of the name "Sebuco", a chief or "Cacique" Taino indian of the region. These "cells" of Taino idians were known to settle in the vicinity of the rivers. Even though the "Cibuco" river is prone to floods due to heavy seasonal rains even to this day, the benefits given to the land by the river are numerous. The rich diversity of ocean life and reefs is evidence of how the nutrients provided by the "Cibuco" river are so beneficial.
Taino carvings have been found on the exposed reefs in the vicinity of the "Cibuco" river. Amongh these carvings, 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.
Flag
Vega Baja's flag consists of a yellow cloth, crossed by a green band. 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. 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.
Demographics
Barrios (Districts/Wards)[1]
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Anthem
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.
Economic
Agriculture
- Pineapple sugar cane; Cattle) and manufacture.
Business
Industrial
- Clothing, leather articles; electrical and electronic equipment, machinery
Commercial Rug/Carpet Manufacture
The most prestigious commercial rug and carpet factory of the "New World" — V'Soske, located in "Pugnado Afuera".
Tourism
Landmarks and places of interest
- Casa Alonso Museum
- El Trece Recreational Area
- Fenix Theater
- Hall Of Fame
- House of Culture and Tourism
- Jorge Otero Military Museum
- Mar Chiquita
- Man of the Sugar Cane Monument
- Melao Melao Artisan Center
- Migrante Square
- Puerto Nuevo Recreational Area
- Tortuguero Lagoon
- Tortuguero Recreational Area
- Trinitarias Park
Festivals and events
Melao Melao Marathon - October
Matron Celebrations - October
Christmas Festival - December
"Blue Marlin" Fishing Tournament
Transportation
Education
Sports
"Blue Marlin" Fishing
Recreational boating and personal watercraft
Notable "Vegabajeños"
- Jorge Arraiza - Fiel A La Vega bass player.
- Pedro Arraiza - Fiel A La Vega Drummer.
- Natatcha Estébanez - Writer, Film Producer
- Emiliano Martínez Avilés - Writer
- Facundo Rivera Natal - Poet
- José I. de Díego Padró - Poet
- Pedro Regalado de Diego González - Poet
- Rafael Balseiro Dávila - Pianista and composer.
- Rafael López Landrón - Writer
- Trina Padílla de Sanz - Storyteller and poet.
- Ivan Rodriguez - catcher for the Detroit Tigers. (Multiple Golden Glove Recipient "Texas Rangers", MLB Champion with "Florida Marlins")
- Juan "Igor" Gonzalez - Major League Baseball Player. (2 time American League M.V.P)
- Ramon Castro - catcher for the New York Mets
- Luis Aguayo - Former Major League Baseball Player
- Joaquin Quintana - Former Major League Baseball Player
- Hector Valle - Former Major League Baseball Player
- Thomas Rosario Flores-Photographer and historian
- Thomas Jimmy Rosario Martinez-Lawyer, historian, founder of EL DIARIO VEGABAJENO
- Adrian Santos Tirado-Painter,Poet, Writer,Director of Escuela
- Julio "Yuyo" Melendez- Author and Educator
- Luis Melendez Cano, Politician, Mayor 32 years
- Javier Cabán Valentín - Poet, Writer, Filmmaker
- Ivan D Hernandez Gonzalez,PE-PRS, Municipal Legislature President & Civil Engineer, Republican Party Vega Baja President
- Asterio Santos Portalatin-Politician and Educator
- Reinaldo del Valle Cruz - Former Municipal Legislature President
- Roberto Sierra, Classic composer
- Carlos Ayes Suarez, Archaeologist
- Luis de la Rosa Martinez (+) -Historian
- Sara Otero Joy- Writer
- Vitín Alicea Arévalo (fictional character)
- Pedro Brull - Travel Agency Business, Church Pastor, Painter
- Jorge Otero Barreto - Notable Vietnam Veteran
- Charlie Sierra - Latin Music Percussionist
- David "El Gallo" Rodriguez - Amateur Baseball Player for the Puerto Rican National team, Beat USA for the Bronce Medal in the 1979 Pan Am Games with a Home Run in the Ninth.
- Trinidad Fontanez - Poet, Teacher.
- Victor M Fontanez - Taekwondo Master, Puerto Rico Head of the Taekwondo Hanmookwan & World Martial Arts College, 2007 Battle of Detroit World Champion in Black Belt Forms Division and five (5) times World Wide Martial Arts Hall of Fame Member.
References
Books about Vega Baja
VEGA BAJA SU HISTORIA Y CULTURA 1987 MUNICIPIO DE VEGA BAJA// ENCICLOPEDIA VEGABAJEÑA www.enciclopediavegabajena.com HISTORIAS DE VEGA BAJA, VOLS 1-16 BY THOMAS JIMMY ROSARIO FLORES Themes: Photo Exhibit of 1976; 200 ANIVERSARY OF VEGA BAJA; ALCALDES (MAJORS) OF VEGA BAJA, LINO PADRON RIVERA, JOSE GUALBERTO PADILLA, IGARAVIDEZ AND SUGAR CANE FACTORY SAN VICENTE, ANGEL SANDIN MARTINEZ, MANUEL MARTINEZ DAVILA, ARQUEOLOGIA VEGABAJENA, IMPORTANT PEOPLE OF VEGA BAJA AND OTHER THEMES
External links
- Vega Baja and its barrios, United States Census Bureau
- El Diario Vegabajeño
- El Melaito
- Official Municipal Government Website
- ENCICLOPEDIA VEGABAJENA
