Manatí, Puerto Rico

Manatí, Puerto Rico
—  Municipality  —

Flag

Coat of arms
Nickname(s): "Ciudad Metropolitana", "La Atenas de Puerto Rico"
Anthem: "Atenas de Borinquen"
Location of Manatí in Puerto Rico
Coordinates:
Country United States
Territory Puerto Rico
Founded 1738
Government
 • Mayor Juan "Bin" Cruz Manzano (PNP )
 • Senatorial dist. 3 - Arecibo
 • Representative dist. 12, 13
Area
 • Total 56.2 sq mi (145.53 km2)
 • Land 46.3 sq mi (120 km2)
 • Water 9.9 sq mi (25.53 km2)
Population (2010)
 • Total 44,113
 • Density 785.1/sq mi (303.1/km2)
Demonym Manatieños
Time zone AST (UTC-4)
Zip code 00674

Manatí (Spanish pronunciation: [manaˈti]) is a municipality of Puerto Rico in the northern coast, north of Morovis and Ciales; east of Florida and Barceloneta; and west of Vega Baja. Manatí is spread over 8 wards and Manatí Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city). It is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Contents

Barrios (districts/wards)

  • Bajura Adentro[1]
  • Bajura Afuera
  • Coto Norte
  • Coto Sur
  • Los Rabanos
  • Manatí Pueblo
  • Río Arriba Poniente
  • Río Arriba Saliente
  • Tierras Nuevas Poniente
  • Tierras Nuevas Saliente

History

Manatí was founded in 1738 by Don Pedro Menendez Valdes. Manati is known as "La Ciudad Metropolitana" which in English is the "Metropolitan City," and is also known as "La Atenas de Puerto Rico," which is "Puerto Rico's Athens" in English.[2] It is named after a sea mammal, the manatee (which are also known as sea cows). During those early years, the Mayor of the town was Jose Aulet. The Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria church was built in the seventeenth century and is still standing in its original spot.[3] Juan Ponce de Leon picked the Manatí leg of the Manuatabón River to first start scavenging for gold.[3] The family was rich in pineapple, sugar cane, and green bananas. The Aulets sold the land to the government in 1985.

Economy

Isidoro Colón established the Sugar Cane "Candelaria" in the years between 1860 and 1870, located between Manatí and Barceloneta.

Agriculture

Manatí is the pineapple center of Puerto Rico. In addition, grows in its surroundings fruits, sugar cane, and coffee.[2]

Industry

Manufacture (pharmaceutics)

José Abraham Rosario initiated the "Publicidad Rosario" on 1945.

Radio stations

Tourism

Landmarks and places of interest

Festivals and events

Notable natives and residents

References

  1. ^ http://welcome.topuertorico.org/maps/manati.pdf
  2. ^ a b Rivera, Magaly. "Manati." Welcome to Puerto Rico!. 2011. Web. 7 Dec 2011. <http://www.topuertorico.org/city/manati.shtml>.
  3. ^ a b c "Manatí, PR - The Athens of Puerto Rico." Eye Tour. 2011. Web. 7 Dec 2011. <http://eyetour.com/blog/manati/>.
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