Luquillo, Puerto Rico

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Luquillo, Puerto Rico
Aerial view of Luquillo
Aerial view of Luquillo
Flag of Luquillo, Puerto Rico
Flag
Nickname: Capital del Sol", "La Riviera de Puerto Rico", "Los Come Cocos
Location within the island of Puerto Rico
Location within the island of Puerto Rico
Country United States
Territory Puerto Rico
Founded 1797
Government
 - Mayor Hon. José "Nelo" González (PNP)
 - Senatorial dist. 8 - Carolina
 - Representative dist. 36
Area
 - Total 34.3 sq mi (88.73 km²)
 - Land 26.3 sq mi (68 km²)
 - Water 8 sq mi (20.73 km²)
Population (2000)
 - Total 19,817
 - Density 733.2/sq mi (283.1/km²)
 - Gentilic Luquillenses
 - Racial groups
(2000 Census) [1]
68.3% White
12.8% Black
0.6% American Ind/An
0.3% Asian
0.0% Native Hawaiian/Pi
14.8% Some other race
3.1% Two or more races
Time zone AST (UTC-4)
Anthem – "Junto a las costas del mar Atlántico"

Luquillo (loo-KEE-yo) is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the northeast coast, northwest of Fajardo; and east of Rio Grande. Luquillo is spread over 5 wards and Luquillo Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city).

Contents

[edit] History

Luquillo is known as "La Capital del Sol" (sun capital) and "La Riviera de Puerto Rico" (Puerto Rico's riviera). Luquillo was founded in 1797 by Cristóbal Guzmán. The town was named after the Indian cacique Loquillo, who died a few years after the last Indian rebellion in 1513.

[edit] Flag

It consists of three horizontal stripes, the blue top and green bottom are double of width of the yellow central stripe. Blue makes reference to the sky and the sea; yellow represents the sand of its beaches and green represents the vegetation of the mountains. In the center stripe resides the Coat Of Arms of the town superimposed and surrounded by two palm tree leaves crossed at the bottom.

[edit] Coat of Arms

In a gold background a centered mountain range with three green mountains is accompanied at the bottom by a bay with blue and silver waves; the top portion of the shield in blue, has three iris branches. Above the shield resides a three tower gold crown. Surrounding the shield by its flanks are two palms trees leaves crossed at the bottom.

[edit] Demographics

Demographic distribution

[edit] Barrios (Districts/Wards)[3]

  • Juan Martín
  • Luquillo Pueblo
  • Mameyes I
  • Mata de Plátano
  • Pitahaya
  • Sabana

[edit] Geo/Topography

[edit] Anthem

By Carmelo Alvira Guerra

Junto a las costas del mar Atlántico
cerca del Yunque, en un rincón,
entre palmeras, muy arrogante,
se fue formado una población.

Llaman Luquillo de mis amores
al pueblecito que así creció;
chozas de pajas de pescadores
con el progreso se transformó.

Sus bellas playas y sus mujeres,
su fe cristiana y su tradición;
Ilenan el alma, nos traen placeres
recuerdos gratos del corazón.
Lindos paisajes, campos floridos,
nítido el cielo a la luz del sol
forman del pueblo sus coloridos,
y el alma Ilenan con su arrebol.

Cuando más lejos nos encontramos,
en la alegría o en el dolor;
Luquillo mío siempre te amamos
y te queremos con gran amor.

[edit] Economic

[edit] Business

[edit] Industrial

  • Manufacturing

[edit] Tourism

A view of Luquillo's famous beach
A view of Luquillo's famous beach

If you stay on the coastal highway going east from San Juan, you'll soon reach Luquillo Beach. This huge plantation of majestic coconut palms shades more than a mile of fine and shimmering sand. It is one of the most popular and nicest public beaches in the San Juan area. It offers cafeterias, public bathrooms with showers, access for disabled people, and an ample parking lot. Monserrate Beach is one of the public beaches most frequented by the locals.

[edit] Landmarks and places of interest

  • Chief Loquillo Monument
  • La Fortuna Hacienda
  • La Bandera Beach
  • La Monserrate Beach
  • La Pared Beach
  • Las Pailas Beach
  • Luquillo Beach
  • Mameyes Beach
  • Ocean View Boulevard
  • Fortuna Beach
  • El Parque de Recreacion

[edit] Festivals and events

  • Patron Saint Celebrations - March
  • Coconut Festival - September
  • Typical Dish Festival - December

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Education

[edit] Sports

[edit] Notable "Luquillenses"

  • Rosendo Matienzo Cintrón (1855- 1913) - Lawyer and legislator.
  • Tomás Batista (1935- ) - Considered to be Puerto Rico's greatest sculptor.
  • Ingrid Rivera (1983-) - Miss Puerto Rico

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 18°22′21″N 65°43′00″W / 18.3725, -65.716667