| Vega Alta, Puerto Rico | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| — Municipality — | |||
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| Nickname(s): Pueblo de los Ñangotaos", "Los Maceteros | |||
| Anthem: "En la costa norte de mi islita" | |||
| Location of Vega Alta in Puerto Rico | |||
| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | United States | ||
| Founded | 1775 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Mayor | Isabelo Molina (PNP) | ||
| • Senatorial dist. | 3 - Arecibo | ||
| • Representative dist. | 11,12 | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 27.7 sq mi (71.87 km2) | ||
| Population (2010) | |||
| • Total | 39,951 | ||
| • Density | 1,439.7/sq mi (555.9/km2) | ||
| Demonym | Vegalteños | ||
| Time zone | AST (UTC-4) | ||
| Zip code | 00692 | ||
Vega Alta (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈbeɣa ˈalta]) is a municipality of Puerto Rico. Vega Alta is located on the northern coast of the island, north of Morovis and Corozal; east of Vega Baja; and west of Dorado with an area of 28 square miles (73 km2). Vega Alta is spread over seven wards and Vega Alta Pueblo (the downtown area and the administrative center of the city). It is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Vega Alta is west of San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico. It is the home of the Hyatt Regency Cerromar, although many consider it part of the neighboring city of Dorado. Vega Alta is the home town of New York Yankees All Star Bernie Williams. Vega Alta is also known for the beautiful Cerro Gordo, one of the most visited beaches in Puerto Rico. Another point of interest is the town's Catholic church, known as Inmaculada Concepción, founded in 1813. For naturalists and hikers, the Vega Alta Forest offers plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs. In fact, the Vega Alta Forest is the first forest reserve you will encounter as you travel west from San Juan.
During the first week of December, Vega Alta celebrates its patron, The Immaculate Conception.
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Vega Alta was founded in 1775 by Francisco de los Olivos. It was first named La Vega de Espinosa and known as el pueblo de los Ñangotaos ("the squatters", in reference to the "jíbaros" country folk who would squat due to lack of benches to wait for the train). Before this it was part of a group of towns known as "Las Vegas." It was then that one area was named Vega Baja and the other Vega Alta.
On October 12, 1898 the city's mayor, Francisco Vega, received U.S. troops as part of the Spanish-American War. On that same day, for the first time in Vega Alta's history, the U.S. flag was lifted on city hall. From 1902 to 1905, Vega Alta became once more part of the neighbor city of Vega Baja. In 1905, the government of Puerto Rico passed a law, allowing Vega Alta to become a municipality with its own limits. Vega Alta has a great historian, Benjamin Negron Rodriguez, who updates the city's history.
It is divided vertically in seven stripes in the order, colors, and proportions as described: the first (the immediate one to the mast) white (five modules); second: green (five modules); third: white (nine modules); sixth: green (five modules); and seventh: white (five modules.
It consists of three bars, the center one formed by a silver amphora from which a branch of lilies excels; it symbolizes the Inmaculada Concepción de María. The crown, indicates category of town, because it has three towers. In the shield there are two sugar cane stems, because this was product cultivated in the region.
According to the Weather Channel's website, June is the warmest month, March is the coolest month, October is the wettest month, and June is the driest month. Records:
Vega Alta's U.S. ZIP Code is 00692
Puerto Rico's Highway 22 provides access to Vega Alta from the far away city of Mayaguez, or from San Juan. Highway 2 also provides access from the western cities of Manatí, Arecibo and the eastern cities of Bayamón and Guaynabo bordering the shore to the Atlantic Ocean. It takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the town from San Juan.
Vega Alta Maceteros[2] (Double A Baseball League)
Vega Alta is known for having amateur ball players as well as professional. Basketball is played in local communities. Other sports practiced include tennis, volleyball, handball, cock fighting, and amateur surfing among others.
Vega Alta is also known for having famous Major League Baseball players such as The Molina Brothers which consits of Yadier Molina, Bengie Molina and José Molina. Other famous sport personalities include former New York Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams and professional boxer Ángel Chacón
The Jukebox is a tribute band created to honor the English rock band The Beatles. Heriberto "Heri" Palos formed The Jukebox in his hometown of Vega Alta, Puerto Rico about 10 years ago. After playing in the Puerto Rican rock scene for about 10 years, he followed his heart, got together a couple of friends, and The Jukebox was born.[3] Band members are Heri Palos, bass, piano and vocals; Jacob Rodríguez, guitar, piano and vocals; Juan Carlos del Valle, drums and vocals; Francisco Cairol, guitar and vocals.
Another well known musician from Vega Alta was Ladislao Martinez a.k.a. "El Maestro Ladi" (June 27, 1898–February 1, 1979), a master cuatro musician. He became the first Puerto Rican to play a cuatro solo on the radio.
Fiel a la Vega, a rock en español (rock in Spanish) band, was formed in 1994. Band members Tito Auger and Ricky Laureano are from Vega Alta, while brothers Pedro Arraiza and Jorge Arraiza come from next-door Vega Baja. Their first album spawned hits like "Salimos de Aquí" and "El Wanabí", both of which were released with videos.