| Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| — Municipality — | |||
| Las Salinas de Cabo Rojo (Cabo Rojo's salt flats) | |||
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| Nickname(s): El Pueblo de Cofresí", "Los Mata con Hacha | |||
| Anthem: "Hoy estoy triste por la distancia" | |||
| Location of Cabo Rojo in Puerto Rico | |||
| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | United States | ||
| Territory | Puerto Rico | ||
| Founded | December 17, 1771 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Mayor | Hon. Perza Rodríguez (PNP) | ||
| • Senatorial dist. | 4 - Mayagüez | ||
| • Representative dist. | 20 | ||
| Area[1] | |||
| • Municipality | 177.40 sq mi (459.5 km2) | ||
| • Land | 70.35 sq mi (182.2 km2) | ||
| • Water | 107.05 sq mi (277.3 km2) | ||
| Population (2010) | |||
| • Municipality | 50,917 | ||
| • Density | 666.8/sq mi (257.5/km2) | ||
| • Metro | 136,212 | ||
| • CSA | 251,260 | ||
| Demonym | Caborrojeños | ||
| Time zone | AST (UTC-4) | ||
| Zip code | 00623, 00622 | ||
| Website | ciudadcaborojo.net | ||
Cabo Rojo (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈkaβo ˈroxo]) is a municipality situated on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico and forms part of the San Germán–Cabo Rojo metropolitan area as well as the larger Mayagüez–San Germán–Cabo Rojo Combined Statistical Area.
Cabo Rojo (Red Cape in English) derives its name from both the reddish color of its salt-flats and the reddish tint that characterizes the seaside cliffs along its southern coast. According to legend, the name was given by Christopher Columbus himself, although this is highly unlikely. The first church, founded in 1783, was called San José. The present-day main catholic church is called San Miguel Arcángel Church located in the town's square.
People from Combate are known as mata con hacha ("those who kill with axes") based on an old folk tale about a fight over the Salinas where those from Cabo Rojo fought with axes against people from the adjacent town of Lajas. The latter apparently fought back by throwing stones and are thus known as tira piedras ("those who throw stones").
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The area of near Las Salinas (salt flats) has been inhabited since the 30 BC and 120 AD according to archaeological evidence. Punta Ostiones, listed in the National Register of Historic Places as archeological site, was home to a large group of Archaic Indians.[2]
Despite the threat of pirates and Indians, the Spanish settled the area of Los Morrillos around 1511. By 1525, salt mining was an important industry in the area.
According to Fray Iñigo Abbad y Lasierra by the end of the 18th century, Cabo Rojo had a population of 1,215 people.
In 1759 the first request to establish itself as town was denied. Cabo Rojo was founded on December 17, 1771 by Nicolás Ramírez de Arellano with the approval of then governor Miguel de Muesas.
The flag contains elements of the coat of arms, excluding the sword, the anchors and the crown.
The point or red triangle symbolizes the "Cabo Bermejo" (Cape Bermejo) in Los Morillos. The blue and white, with the anchors, represent the sea that bathes our coasts. The flaming sword, is an attribute to San Miguel de Arcángel, patron of the town. Finally, the crown, which heightens and distinguishes the shield, stands for the status of municipality.
Cabo Rojo is bordered by Mayagüez and Hormigueros to the north, San Germán and Lajas to the east, the Caribbean Sea to the south and the Mona Passage to the west.
The municipality is spread over 18 barrios/wards and Cabo Rojo Pueblo, its downtown and administrative center.[4] Cabo Rojo is a principal municipality of the San Germán–Cabo Rojo metropolitan area as well as the larger Mayagüez–San Germán–Cabo Rojo Combined Statistical Area.
Its tourism industry has flourished with the development of hotels and marinas, but local and international environmentalists are concerned that this development will endanger Cabo Rojo's rich and beautiful beaches,sunsets and natural resources. Cabo Rojo is also well-known for its fishing, particularly the Puerto Real fishing village, and its many seafood restaurants, most of which are found in the village of Joyuda.
The famous Cabo Rojo lighthouse, Los Morrillos Lighthouse, known by locals as El Faro, was built in 1881 over limestone cliffs that rise 200 feet above sea level. This old lighthouse was automated and electrically charged in 1967 and is considered to have some, if not the, most spectacular ocean views in Puerto Rico's West Coast. The lighthouse has undergone recent renovations, of which has created controversy because of the quality of work. According to locals and scholars, the internal structure was gutted leaving nothing of historical significance behind.
The lighthouse is located near the Salinas, or salt mines. These salt mines are reported to be the oldest industry in the New World. Salt has been mined in this site non-stop since the times of the Taínos. Near the Salinas, a local civic group Caborrojeños Pro Salud y Ambiente run a visitor's center known as the Centro Interpretativo Las Salinas De Cabo Rojo don Efrén Pérez Rivera. They offer free guided tours of the local area, which is rich in flora and fauna.
Although Cabo Rojo lacks an airport, it is approximately 11 miles from the Eugenio Maria de Hostos Airport (MAZ), a commercial airport that serves direct flights to and from San Juan. Cabo Rojo has grown tremendously in the last few years as evidenced by its recent accreditation as a city. Cabo Rojo nearest airport servicing international destinations is only 45 minutes away in the Aguadilla's Rafael Hernandez Airport (BQN). This airport was part of the now deactivated Ramey Air Force Base.
Cabo Rojo had a BSN basketball team, Los Turistas de Cabo Rojo (the "Cabo Rojo Tourists") from 1989 to 1993.
Indias de Mayagüez, female Volleyball team from Liga de Voleibol Superior Femenino played the 2009 season at the Coliseo Rebekah Colberg Cabrera, because their home ground, Palacios de los Deportes, was under remodeling.[5]
The following is a list of notable Caborojeños:
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