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Vega Alta, Puerto Rico
Vega Alta, Puerto Rico
	; Flag
	; Flag
	Nickname(s): Pueblo de los Ñangotaos", "Los Maceteros
	Location within the island of Puerto Rico
Country	United States
Territory	Puerto Rico
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 (2000)habitants
- Total	37,910
- Gentilic	Vegalteños
Time zone	AST (UTC-4)
	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). 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.

[edit] 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 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.

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 km² Per Capita Income: $7,356

[edit] 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)

[edit] Coat 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.

[edit] 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

[edit] Demographics

[edit] Barrios (Districts/Wards)^[1]

Bajura
Candelaria

Cienegueta
Espinosa

Maricao
Mavilla

Sabana
Pueblo (downtown)

Vega Alta's U.S. ZIP Code is 00692

[edit] Geography

Rivers: Río Cibuco, Río Mavilla and Río Unibón.

[edit] 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)

[edit] Economy

[edit] Agriculture

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

[edit] Business

The Gallery at Gran Caribe
Cooperativa de Ahoro y Crédito [VEGACOOP]
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.

[edit] Industry

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

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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)

[edit] 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

[edit] Transportation

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

[edit] Education

[edit] Public schools

Antonio Paoli/Elementary
Elemental Urbana/Elementary
Elisa Davila Vazquez/Elementary
Ignacio Miranda/Elementary
Dr. Cañaco Stalingrad III/ High School
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 Gracia/High School
Ladislao Martinez (Maestro Ladi)/first High School

[edit] Private schools

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

[edit] Sports

Vega Alta Maceteros [1] (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.

[edit] References

^ http://welcome.topuertorico.org/maps/vegaalta.pdf

http://www.senadopr.us/
Municipio de Vega Alta (787) 883-5900. Fax: (787) 883-7832

[edit] Further reading

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

Coordinates: 18°24′44″N 66°19′53″W / 18.41222°N 66.33139°W / 18.41222; -66.33139

[0] ttp://welcome.topuertorico.org/maps/vegaalta.pdf

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