Naranjito, Puerto Rico

Naranjito, Puerto Rico
—  Municipality  —
Flag
Nickname(s): "La Ciudad de los Colores", "El Pueblo de los Changos"
Motto: "Naranjito Brilla"
Anthem: Naranjito, mi hogar predilecto
Location of Naranjito in Puerto Rico
Coordinates: 18°18′03″N 66°14′42″W / 18.30083°N 66.245°W / 18.30083; -66.245Coordinates: 18°18′03″N 66°14′42″W / 18.30083°N 66.245°W / 18.30083; -66.245
Country	United States
Territory	Puerto Rico
Founded	December 3, 1824
Founder	Braulio Morales
Government
- Mayor	Hon. Orlando Ortiz Chevres (PNP)
- Senatorial District	VI - Guayama Carlos J. Torres Torres (PNP)
- Representative District	28 Rafael Rivera Ortega (PNP)
Area
- Total	28.4 sq mi (73.54 km2)
- Land	28.2 sq mi (73.0 km2)
- Water	0.2 sq mi (0.54 km2)
Elevation	2,997 ft (700 m)
Population (2010)
- Total	30,402
Demonym	Naranjiteños
Time zone	AST (UTC-4)
Zip code	00719
Area code	+1 (spec. +1-787 and +1-939)

Naranjito (Spanish pronunciation: [naɾaŋˈxito]) is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the central region of the island, south of Toa Alta; north of Barranquitas and Comerío; east of Corozal; and west of Bayamón. Naranjito is spread over 15 wards and Naranjito Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city). It is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

From 1810 the battle for the founding of the town began, after major incidents with powerful interests of the time, on December 3, 1824, Don Braulio Morales successfully founded the town of Naranjito. The town was founded in the neighborhood of the same name, on a land donated by Doña Manuela Rivera and Don Braulio Morales. Morales was named "Captain Settler" at the same time was appointed mayor of the town in development. The name "Naranjito" is derived from a small orange tree that served as a reference point for travelers looking for in the shortest way to the town of Toa Alta. At its foundation, Naranjito was formed five wards/districts, "Lomas", "Guadiana", "Achiote", "Nuevo" and "Cedro". "Cedro" was divided in 1853 in "Cedro Arriba" and "Cedro Abajo", also having the urban zone composed by "San Miguel", "San Antonio" and "San Cristobal" districts.^[1]

Flag

Naranjito's flag consists of an orange flag crossed by two narrow green stripes close to the superior and inferior edges. The orange color in the flag symbolizes the town of Naranjito (little orange tree), while the green symbolizes its green mountains.

Coat of arms

The coat of arms is a red cross, the symbol of San Miguel de Arcángel, Patron of Naranjito. The globe with the cross symbolizes the power and sovereignty of God. The gold and red stripes that appear in the second and third quarters, constitute the primitive baton of the Guafiana lineage. The lily twigs are a tribute of San Antonio de Padua, confessor and doctor of the Church. The orange tree represents the small tree that gave the town's name, Naranjito. The crown is symbol of moral unit of the town.

Anthem

Author: José Archilla Cabrera^[2]
Music composer: Paquito López Cruz

Naranjito es mi hogar predilecto
de Borinquen un plácido Edén,
Mis cariños por ti son eternos,
porque tú eres el alma del bien.

En un valle profundo reposa el Guadiana
el eterno rumor te circundan preciosas colinas
y te mira del cielo el Señor.
¿Qué me importan las grandes ciudades?
si allí imperan el vicio y la maldad
en ti luce la sana costumbre
en ti brilla la Santa hermandad.

Eres culto la Diosa Minerva
da su ciencia profusa por ti,
por la Esteves también
Teresita que se yerguen triunfantes aquí.

Dios bendiga los sabios mentores
que difunden contentos la luz
y nos dan los consejos más puros
son los Cristos que llevan la Cruz.

Cuando cese mi vida yo ansío pueblo amado
un humilde rincón donde pueda dormir
al regazo de mi tierra que hallara Colón.
Naranjito es mi hogar predilecto de Borinquen
un plácido Edén, mis cariños por ti son eternos
porque tú eres el alma del bien.

Official symbols

Municipal symbols

• Coat of arms
• Flag

Official bird

• Chango (Puerto Rican Grackle) ("Quiscalus niger")

Official flower

• Rosa roja (Red Rose) ("Rosa adorata")

Official tree

• El Naranjo (Orange tree) ("Citrus aurantium")

Demographics

Barrios (Districts/Wards)

• Achiote^[3]
• Anones
• Guadiana
• Lomas
• Cedro Abajo
• Barrio Nuevo
• Pueblo
• Cedro Arriba

Economy

Traditionally the main agricultural crops of Naranjito are coffee and the tobacco. In recent years have borne fruits such as bananas, oranges, papayas, and other tropical fruits; also in the town the poultry factory has been very popular, specifically the dairy cattle (fresh milk). Naranjito has many factories, most of these factories are made garments (clothing).^[4]

Tourism

Puente Atirantado Jesús Izcoa Moure.

Landmarks and places of interest

• Anones Park
• Cancha Gelito Ortega
• Cedro Abajo Falls (Las Lagrimas Falls)
• La Marina Boardwalk
• La Plata Lake
• Las Avispas Hills
• Municipal Swimming Pool
• Trovador Plaza
• Mirador de Anones
• Puente Atirantado Jesús Izcoa Moure

Festivals and events

• Mothers Day - May
• San Antonio Day - June
• Chango Festival - June
• Anon Festival - June
• Volleyball Tournament - February - June
• San Miguel Arcangel Day - September
• Patron Festivities - September - October
• Turkey marathon - November

Sports

Main article: Naranjito Changos

"Los Changos de Naranjito" are a professional male volleyball team based in Naranjito. The team is one of the most successful sport's franchises in Puerto Rico. ^[5]

Note

1. ^ Naranjito 2009: 1
2. ^ [1]
3. ^ http://welcome.topuertorico.org/maps/naranjito.pdf
4. ^ Naranjito 2009: 2
5. ^ Naranjito 2009: 3

References

• Morales, Papucho (2009). Manual informativo del Gobierno Municipal de Naranjito, Puerto Rico. Gobierno Municipal de Naranjito, PR. 

	Puerto Rico portal
	Geography portal

Books about Naranjito

• El Chango. Apuntes Historicos del Pueblo de Naranjito-1824-1998, Author: Silvestre J. Morales 1999