VEGA BAJA, PUERTO RICO

(Redirected from Vega Baja)

'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).

Contents

History

Flag

Coat of Arms

Demographics

'Barrios' (Districts/Wards)

Geo/Topography

Anthem

Economic

Agriculture

Business

Industrial

Tourism

Landmarks and places of interest

Festivals and events

Transportation

Education

Sports

Notable "Vegabajeños"

References

Books about Vega Baja

Additional Information

Photo gallery

External links

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" Taino indian of the region. These "cells" of Taino idians 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)

★ Algarrobo ★ Almirante Norte ★ Almirante Sur ★ Cabo Caribe ★ Ceiba ★ Cibuco

★ Puerto Nuevo ★ Pugnado Adentro ★ Pugnado Afuera ★ Quebrada Arenas ★ Río Abajo

★ Río Arriba ★ Yeguada

Geo/Topography

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 sugar cane; Cattle) and manufacture.

Business

Industrial

★ Clothing, leather articles; electrical and electronic equipment, machinery

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

Sports

"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.

★ 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.

★ Ivan Rodriguez - catcher for the Detroit Tigers. (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

★ 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 - Notable Vietnam Veteran

★ Charlie Sierra - Latin Music Percussionist

★ David "El Gallo" Rodriguez - Amateur Baseball Player for the Puertorican National team, Beat USA for the Bronce Medal in the 1979 Pan Am Games with a Home Run in the Ninth.

References

★ Vega Baja and its barrios, United States Census Bureau

★ El Diario Vegabajeño

★ El Melaito

★ Official Municipal Government Website

★ ENCICLOPEDIA VEGABAJENA

Books about Vega Baja

VEGA BAJA SU HISTORIA Y CULTURA 1987 MUNICIPIO DE VEGA BAJA//
ENCICLOPEDIA VEGABAJEÑA www.enciclopediavegabajena.com
HISTORIAS DE VEGA BAJA, VOLS 1-16 BY THOMAS JIMMY ROSARIO FLORES
Themes: Photo Exhibit of 1976; 200 ANIVERSARY OF VEGA BAJA; ALCALDES (MAJORS) OF VEGA BAJA, LINO PADRON RIVERA, JOSE GUALBERTO PADILLA, IGARAVIDEZ AND SUGAR CANE FACTORY SAN VICENTE, ANGEL SANDIN MARTINEZ, MANUEL MARTINEZ DAVILA, ARQUEOLOGIA VEGABAJENA, IMPORTANT PEOPLE OF VEGA BAJA AND OTHER THEMES

Additional Information

Photo gallery

External links