Vega Alta, Puerto Rico

Infobox Settlement
settlement_type =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = Territory
subdivision_name1 = Puerto Rico
subdivision_type2 =
subdivision_name2 =
timezone=AST
utc_offset=-4
timezone_DST=
utc_offset_DST=
unit_pref=Imperial
map_caption =Location of Vega Alta, Puerto Rico within Puerto Rico.
latNS=N
longEW=W| official_name = Vega Alta, Puerto Rico | nickname = Pueblo de los Ñangotaos", "Los Maceteros


image_
| population_blank1 = Vegalteños|population_blank1_title=Gentilic|
| population_blank1 = Vegalteños|population_blank1_title=Gentilic|

---

| map_caption = Location within the island of Puerto Rico
established_date = 1775 | leader_title|established_title=Founded| = Mayor | leader_title=Mayor
leader_name = Isabelo Molina
political party = Partido Nuevo Progresista
leader_party = PNP
leader_title1=Senatorial dist.
leader_name1= 3 - Arecibo
leader_title2=Representative dist.
leader_name2 = 11,12| area_magnitude =| area_total_km2 = 71.87
population_as_of = 2000 | population_note =
population_total = 37910|population_footnotes= habitants | timezone = AST | utc_offset = -4 | timezone_DST = | utc_offset_DST = -4| latd= |latm= |lats=
longd=|longm= |longs=
latitude =
longitude =
website =
footnotes = Anthem – "En la costa norte de mi islita" |

Vega Alta (VAY-gah AHL-tah) 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. Vega Alta is spread over seven wards and Vega Alta Pueblo (the downtown area and the administrative center of the city).

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.

History

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 Nagotaos ("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.

Land Area: 71.87 km² (27.75 sq mi) Water Area: 25.28 km² (9.76 sq mi)Population: 37,910 as of 2000 U.S. Census Density: 527.5 per km² (1,366.1 per sq mi) Housing Units: 13,526 Housing Density: 188.2 per km²Per Capita Income: $7,356

Flag

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).

Code of arms

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.

Climate

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:
*The highest recorded temperature was 98°F in July 1997.
*The lowest recorded temperature was 40°F in January 1945.Source: http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/vacationclimatology/monthly/00692?from=vac_guide_dom

Demographics

Barrios (Districts/Wards) [http://welcome.topuertorico.org/maps/vegaalta.pdf]

*Bajura *Candelaria *Cienegueta *Espinosa

*Maricao *Mavilla *Sabana *Pueblo (downtown)Vega Alta's U.S. ZIP Code is 00692

Geo/Topography

Rivers: Cibuco, Mavilla and Unibón.

Anthem

By Domingo Figueroa Ramírez

En la costa norte de mi islita
hay un pueblo de la mano de Dios,
tierra hermosa Vega Alta de Espinosa
erigida con esfuerzo y con honor.

Simbolizan su escudo y su bandera,
nube y cielo Inmaculada Concepción,
caña esmeralda fuente de subsistencia,
ramos de olivos a nuestro fundador.

Tierra firme que ha sabido dar
pan de vida y de poder,
aprendimos a esperar con bondad,
la llegada de cada amanecer.

Chimenea de la Carmen, legendaria
Río Cibuco, Cerro Gordo y el verdor,
es un orgullo haber nacido en este lar
a Vega Alta por siempre yo amaré.

Past and present mayors

*Teodomiro Ramirez
*Antonio Navas Rumoroso
*Emilio Escalera
*Arturo Rivera
*Ramon Cestero
*Emilio Davila Diaz
*Jose Vega Nevarez
*Francisco Chinea
*Carmelo Mercado
*Jose Rosado Negron, (1977–1980; b. 1934, d. 1999)
*Manuel "Manolin" Chinea (PDP, 1981–1993)
*Isabelo "Chabelo" Molina (PNP, 1993-2001)
*Juan "Mane" Cruzado (PPD, 2001–2002) resigned, Vice-Mayor Jose Colon assumed post.
*Jose Colon (PPD, 2002–2004)
*Isabelo "Chabelo" Molina (PNP, 2004–present)

enators

* Hon. Jose E. Gonzalez/PNP
* Hon. Pedro Rossello/PNP

House representatives

* Hon. Javier Garcia Caban/PPD
* Hon. Hector Torres/PNP

Agriculture

*Banana, fruits, grains, and sugar cane.
*Flowers and ornamental plants.
*Dairy and meat cattle, pigs, and poultry.

Business

* The Gallery at Gran Caribe
* Cooperativa de Ahoro y Crédito [VEGACOOP] www.vegacoop.com
* General Electric, dmall manufacturing plant of electrical components
*Margo Caribe, Inc
*Owens-Illinois
* El Morro Corrugated Box Corporation
* Terraza Aggregates, Inc.
* Raices Irrigation & Landscape Corp.
* El Cemi Irrigation & Landscape Inc.

Industrial

*Manufacture of chemicals, electrical and electronic machinery, furniture, food, and plastics.

Tourism

* Cerro Gordo Beach: Local beach opened to general public.
* Hyatt Regency Cerromar: closed, hotel no longer operating. It is now used as a timeshare. It may reopen as a hotel.

Landmarks and places of interest

*Cerro Gordo Beach
*The Gallery at Gran Caribe
*Bosque de la Vega (Forest of Vega Alta)
*Hyatt Regency Cerromar (no longer in operation)
*Central Carmen Sugar Mill Smokestack (closed in 1945, smokestack still standing and preservation work done in 2001 to repair damage from lightning strike)

Festivals and events

*Three Kings Fiestas - January
*Sung Rosary - February
*Vegalteño Carnival - February
*Kite Festival - July
*Virgen del Carmen Walk - July
*Rooster Festival - October
*Patron Festivities - December

Transportation

*The closest airport is Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Carolina.

Education

Public schools

* Antonio Paoli/Elementary
* Elemental Urbana/Elementary
* Elisa Davila Vazquez/Elementary
* Ignacio Miranda/Elementary
* Jose D. Rosado/Elementary
* Jose M. Pagan/Elementary
* Rafael Hernadez/Elementary
* Apolo San Antonio/Middle School
* Nueva Escuela Brenas/Middle School, Second Unit
* Adelaida Vega/Middle School, Second Unit
* Ileana Garcia/High School
* Ladislao Martinez (Maestro Ladi)/High School

Private schools

* Dicipulos de Cristo (Disciples of Christ)/Elementary and Middle School
* Colegio de la Vega

enior class name

In mainland U.S.A., each school is known by its mascot or names, e.g., Jaguars, Hawks, Tigers. In Puerto Rico only the senior adopts a name to their class. Here are some examples of names.

* Killers: Class of 1984 seniors
* Rebels: Class of 1985 seniors
* Warriors: Class 1986 seniors
* Eagles: Class 1987 seniors
* Genesis: Class of 1989 seniors
* Exodus: Class of 1990 seniors

ports

Vega Alta Maceteros [http://www.maceteros.com] (Double A Baseball Team)

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.

Notable "Vegalteños"

*Bernie Williams
*Molina brothers: Yadier Molina, Bengie Molina, and Jose Molina (all major league baseball catchers)
*Jorge Seijo, radio and T.V. personality
* Gilberto Concepción de Gracia, co-founder of the Puerto Rican Independence Party
*Domingo Figueroa Ramírez, author of Vega Alta anthem
* Benjamin Negron, teacher, historian
*Julio Axel Landron, actor, Afro-Caribbean poet
*Ender Vega, TV producer, artist manager, producer of Objetivo Fama, former manager of Fiel a la Vega
*Jonathan Collazo, tennis instructor; has worked with Gigi Fernandez and runs a tennis academy in Tampa, Florida
*Ramona Auger, Well-respected teacher, known as the first in Vega Alta to become an American citizen
*Milagros Rivera Grossman, public server who helped many Vegalteños while she worked for City Hall
*Nuris Vega, businesswoman and widow of Mayor Jose Rosado Negron
*Tito Auger, lead singer, guitarist of rock band Fiel a la Vega
*Ricky Laureano, lead guitarist for Fiel a la Vega
*Cañaco, hardstyle, drum and Bass DJ. Necroninja leader and gunsmith
*Junito, once a kid with learning disabilities and some impairment, Junito became a beloved citizen who became a street vendor
*Wanda Rovira, actress and model
*Rita Maldonado de Bear, professor at the New York University's Stern School of Business and Stanford University in California
*Dr. Jose Gabriel Maldonado, Principal of Columbia Secondary School for Math, Science & Engineering (New York City)
*Gilberto Ramírez, elected to New York State Legislature, Supreme Court Judge, New York City
*Randall Torres-Maysonet
*Abdiel (The Loverboy) Gonzalez, radio disc jockey for Mega Estación radio station
*Heriberto Nieves, international fine art artist [http://www.heriberto.nieves.com]
*Carlos A Velazquez Plaza, president and founder of Raices Irrigation & Landscape Corp., El Cemi Irrigation & Landscape
*Francisco Manuel "Paco" Arias Carreras, founder of Transporte Arias
*Lucy Peñalver, school teacher for 40 years

References

Lucy Peñalver

There is a group in Facebook created for Vega Alta and it's citizens by Amérilis Navedo de Castro

Books about Vega Alta

Leonardo Santana-Rabell. "Historia de Vega Alta de Espinosa". 2da edición, Editorial La Torre del Viejo, Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, 1995.Domingo Figueroa Ramirez. "Memorias y versos: Desde algun rincón de Vega Alta". 1era edición Vega Coop y Econo Mendez Class

External links