Vega Baja, 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 PAGENAME within Puerto Rico.
latNS=N
longEW=W
official_name = Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
nickname = Ciudad del "Melao Melao"


image_

population_blank1 = Vegabajeños|population_blank1_title=Gentilic


population_blank1 = Vegabajeños|population_blank1_title=Gentilic

---

map_caption = Location within the island of Puerto Rico
Country]
established_date = October 3, 1776|established_title=Founded| leader_title = Mayor
leader_title=Mayor
leader_name = Hon. Edgar Santana Rivera
political party = Partido Nuevo Progresista
leader_party = P.N.P
leader_title1=Senatorial dist.
leader_name1= 3 - Arecibo
leader_title2=Representative dist.
leader_name2 = 12
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 144.28| area_land_km2 = 122| area_water_km2 = 22.28| population_as_of = 2000
population_note =
population_total = 63355|population_footnotes=
population_density_km2 = 510.1| timezone = AST
utc_offset = -4
timezone_DST =
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd=18 | latm=26 | lats=46 |latNS=N
longd=66 | longm=23 | longs=15 |longEW=W
latitude =
longitude =
website =
footnotes = Anthem – "Más dulce que la miel es tu recuerdo"

Vega Baja (VAI-gah BAH-hah) is a municipality in north central Puerto Rico located in northern coast, north of Morovis; east of Manatí; and west of Vega Alta. Vega Baja is spread over 13 wards and Vega Baja Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city).

History

Vega Baja was founded in October 3, 1776 by Antonio Viera, with the name of "Vega-baxa del Naranjal de Nuestra Señora del Rosario".
"Cibuco", name of one of the rivers that carve its fertile lands, is a variation of the name "Sebuco", a chief or Cacique Taíno Indian of the region. These "cells" of Taíno indians were known to settle in the vicinity of the rivers. Even though the Cibuco river is prone to floods due to heavy seasonal rains even to this day, the benefits given to the land by the river are numerous. The rich diversity of ocean life and reefs is evidence of how the nutrients provided by the Cibuco river are so beneficial.
Taino carvings have been found on the exposed reefs in the vicinity of the Cibuco river. Amongh these carvings, one depicting a face and others shaped as fish. They are an indication that these reefs were frequented for spear fishing and perhaps other day to day activities.

Flag

Vega Baja's flag consists of a yellow cloth, crossed by a green band. The band is relates to the fertile valley and the river.

Coat of Arms

The Vega Baja Coat of Arms has a v-shape green band, with overlapping roses in silver and three oranges tress, with fruits in gold. In the superior part a five tower crown, silverplated with black and green. The main colors of the shield; green and gold are used traditionally in civic, scholastic and sport activities. The crown five tower indicates that the town holds the rank of Villa by Royal Real Decree.

Demographics

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

*Algarrobo *Almirante Norte *Almirante Sur *Cabo Caribe *Ceiba *Cibuco *Puerto Nuevo

*Pugnado Adentro *Pugnado Afuera *Quebrada Arenas *Río Abajo *Río Arriba *Vega Baja Pueblo *Yeguada

Anthem

Lirics: Adrián Santos Tirado Música por Roberto Sierra

Más dulce que la miel es tu recuerdo,
cuando lejos estoy, pueblo querido,
Mi alma te la envío en un suspiro,
y en viaje hacia el ensueño en ti me pierdo.

El agua de Cibuco es cual caricia
para mi alma sedienta de nostalgia,
y llego a un Puerto Nuevo cada día
donde es radiante el cielo y las espumas cantan.

Aún de los naranjales queda el oro
convertido en canción, arte y poesía;
y en la dulce colmena de tus calles se afana
el revuelo que vierten tus montes y sabanas.

No importa que me marche cazador de quimeras;
yo quiero caminar por tu calle infinita,
y dormir para siempre una tarde cualquiera
en la apacible cuna de tu tierra bendita.

Economic

Agriculture

*Pineapple, cattle feed (hay). lawn grass.

Business

Industrial

*Clothing, leather articles; electrical and electronic equipment, machinery
*Medical, and pharmaceutical.Commercial Rug/Carpet Manufacture
The most prestigious commercial rug and carpet factory of the "New World" — V'Soske, located in "Pugnado Afuera".

Tourism

Landmarks and places of interest

*Casa Alonso Museum
*El Trece Recreational Area
*Fenix Theater
*Hall Of Fame
*House of Culture and Tourism
*Jorge Otero Military Museum
*Mar Chiquita
*Man of the Sugar Cane Monument
*Melao Melao Artisan Center
*Migrante Square
*Puerto Nuevo Recreational Area
*Tortuguero Lagoon
*Tortuguero Recreational Area
*Trinitarias Park

Festivals and events

Melao Melao Marathon - October
Matron Celebrations - October
Christmas Festival - December
"Blue Marlin" Fishing Tournament

Transportation

Education

ports

"Blue Marlin" Fishing
Recreational boating and personal watercraft

Notable "Vegabajeños"

*Jorge Arraiza - Fiel A La Vega bass player.
*Pedro Arraiza - Fiel A La Vega Drummer.
*Julia Melendez Martinez - Baker
*Natatcha Estébanez - Writer, Film Producer
*Emiliano Martínez Avilés - Writer
*Facundo Rivera Natal - Poet
*José I. de Díego Padró - Poet
*Pedro Regalado de Diego González - Poet
*Rafael Balseiro Dávila - Pianista and composer.
*Rafael López Landrón - Writer
*Trina Padílla de Sanz - Storyteller and poet.
*Iván Rodríguez - catcher for the New York Yankees. (Multiple Golden Glove Recipient "Texas Rangers", MLB Champion with "Florida Marlins")
*Juan "Igor" Gonzalez - Major League Baseball Player. (2 time American League M.V.P)
*Ramon Castro - catcher for the New York Mets
*Luis Aguayo - Former Major League Baseball Player
*Joaquin Quintana - Former Major League Baseball Player
*Hector Valle - Former Major League Baseball Player
*Thomas Rosario Flores-Photographer and historian
*Thomas Jimmy Rosario Martinez-Lawyer, historian, founder of EL DIARIO VEGABAJENO
*Adrian Santos Tirado-Painter,Poet, Writer,Director of Escuela
*Julio "Yuyo" Melendez- Author and Educator
*Luis Melendez Cano, Politician, Mayor 32 years
*Javier Cabán Valentín - Poet, Writer, Filmmaker
*Luis Manuel Jimenez - Writer, Entrepreneur
*Ivan D Hernandez Gonzalez,PE-PRS, Municipal Legislature President & Civil Engineer, Republican Party Vega Baja President
*Asterio Santos Portalatin-Politician and Educator
*Reinaldo del Valle Cruz - Former Municipal Legislature President
*Roberto Sierra, Classic composer
*Carlos Ayes Suarez, Archaeologist
*Luis de la Rosa Martinez (+) -Historian
*Sara Otero Joy- Writer
*Vitín Alicea Arévalo (fictional character)
*Pedro Brull - Travel Agency Business, Church Pastor, Painter
*Jorge Otero Barreto - Most decorated soldier of the Vietnam War
*Charlie Sierra - Latin Music Percussionist
*David "El Gallo" Rodriguez - Amateur Baseball Player for the Puerto Rican National team, Beat USA for the Bronze Medal in the 1979 Pan Am Games with a Home Run in the Ninth.
*Trinidad Fontanez - Poet, Teacher.
* [http://www.combatwarriormag.com/MasterVictorFontanez.html Victor M Fontanez] - Taekwondo Master, Puerto Rico Head of the Taekwondo Hanmookwan & World Martial Arts College, 2007 Battle of Detroit World Champion in Black Belt Forms Division and five (5) times World Wide Martial Arts Hall of Fame Member.
*Casimiro Ramos-Barreto - camara de representante 1958-1964
*Carlos David Rosas - first Vega Baja metrosexual
*Paula Maria Martinez - town crazy person
*Ramón "Mon" Santos "El Correcaminos"- Amateur Baseball Player and Runner Track and Field with University of Puerto Rico

References

Jose A. Maldonado has a Master Degree in Education, Master Degree in Businees specialization in Human Resources, Master Degree in Global Market, Two Bachellor in Psychology, and Criminal Justice, one year Doctor Program in Psychology

External links

* [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/GCTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=05000US72145&-_box_head_nbr=GCT-PH1&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U&-redoLog=false&-format=CO-2&-mt_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U_GCTPH1_CO2 Vega Baja and its barrios, United States Census Bureau]
* [http://www.eldiariovb.com El Diario Vegabajeño]
* [http://www.elmelaitovb.com El Melaito]
* [http://www.vegabaja.gov.pr Official Municipal Government Website]
* [http://www.enciclopediavegabajena.com ENCICLOPEDIA VEGABAJENA]