Puerto Rico Natural Environment

Aibonito is known as La Ciudad de las Flores (city of the flowers). The town was founded in March 13, 1824 by Manuel Vélez. Aibonito derives its name from a name given by the Indians, "Jatibonucu" which literally means "Great People of the Sacred High Waters". ro de la noche )-->The tribe or yucayeque living in the area was known as Jatibonicu and it was lead by Cacique Orocobix (Indian chief). In fact, the Jatibonicu region covered the same area as the current towns of Aibonito, Orocovis, Barranquitas, Morovis and Corozal.
A legend also claims that one day a Spaniard wake up over the Asomante mountain and overwhelm by the beauty of the place he exclaim " Ay, que bonito " (Oh, how beautiful!). Aibonito is territory is mountainous, located in the Mountain Range of Cayey , north of Salinas ; south of Barranquitas and Comerio ; east of Coamo ; and west of Cidra and Cayey. Aibonito reaches one of the highest elevation point in the island. The town's highest peaks are Verdún (760 m), Piedra Degetau (730 m), El Indio (620 m), and Amoldadero (530 m). Many rivers cross the town including Aibonito, La Plata, Usabón, and Cuyón. The annual precipitation is approximately 90 inches and the average temperature is 75ºF. The first Catholic church was built in 1825. The building was later replaced by the current church, which was started in 1887 and completed in 1897. Aibonito is known for its flowers, and since 1969, a two-weekend event draws big crowds of locals and visitors. The Festival de las Flores (Flowers Festival) is celebrated every year from the last weekend of June up to the first weekend of July. It's considered the most important flower event on the island, the festivities include flower shows, handcrafts displays, kid rides, music and food. Aibonito's main industry is chicken, followed by flowers, some tobacco, coffee and cattle. There are many well-known " aiboniteños ", among them: Rubén Berrios Martínez , politician Rafael Pont Flores, journalist Juan Martínez Capó, writer Manuel Alvarez Nazario, writer


Land Area: 81.6 sq km (31.4 sq mi) Water Area: 0.01 sq mi Population: 26,493 Density: 324.6 per sq km (843.7 per sq mi) Housing Units: 9,163 Housing Density: 292.8 Per Capita Income: $6,579 Source: 2000 Census Hymn: Aibonito Barrios (wards) (9): Asomante Algarrobo Caonillas Cuyón Llanos Pasto Plata Pueblo Robles Driving Distance: 48.8 miles * Driving Time: 1 hour, 23 minutes

Arecibo is known as La Villa del Capitán Correa , in memory of a battle fought successfully on its shores by Captain Antonio de los Reyes Correa and a handful of Spanish Army soldiers to repel a British invasion by sea lead by Admiral Whelstone in August 5, 1702. La Ribera del Arecibo " (the shore of the Arecibo). or " El Damante Del Norte " (the north diamond). -->
Settled in 1556, Arecibo became the third Spanish settlement. Founded sixty years later, in 1616, when the King of Spain granted that section of land and the Indians on it to Lope Conchillos, under the governorship of Captain Felipe de Beaumont y Navarra. The leader (Indian chief) of these Indians was called Jamaica Aracibo, their yucayeque was named after him and ultimately the town was called by that same name. The town is also known as La Muy Leal Villa (very loyal). You can visit Cueva del Indio , an archeological site, the cave is located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, in Bo. Islote. It it is called The Cave of the Indian , because drawings of the Indians that lived in this area in the Prehistoric Era were found in the walls of the cave. Arecibo is the largest city in geographical size on the island. Located in the Northern Coastal Valley region, adjacent to karst zone characterized by the presence of caves and wooded hills. Arecibo is bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of Utuado and Lares ; east of Hatillo ; and west of Barceloneta and Florida . The town is bathed by two rivers, Grande de Arecibo and Tanamá. The annual precipitation is around 53.01 inches and the average temperature is 77.8°F.
Land Area: 330 sq km (127 sq mi) Water Area: 45.23 sq mi Population: 104,600 Density: 303.2 per sq km (823.6 per sq mi) Housing Units: 38,974 Housing Density: 309.3 Per Capita Income: $7,290 Source: 2000 Census Hymn: Arecibo Barrios (wards) (19): Arenalejos Arrozal Cambalache Carreas Domingo Ruiz Dominguito Esperanza Factor Garrochales Hato Abajo Hato Arriba Hato Viejo Islote Miraflores Pueblo Río Arriba Sabana Hoyos Santana Tanamá Driving Distance: 54.5 miles * Driving Time: 1 hour, 16 minutes *
The town has an official U.S. port entry. Located 16 km (10 mi) south of Arecibo, Arecibo Observatory is a astronomical observatory, which is one of the world's most powerful radar-radio telescopes, and the largest single-unit radio telescope in the world. This instrument, inaugurated in 1963, employs a 1,000-foot (300 meter) spherical reflector consisting of perforated aluminum panels that focus incoming radio waves on movable antenna structures positions about 500 feet (168 meter) above the reflector surface. The antenna can be moved in any direction, making it possible to track a celestial object in different regions of the sky. It collects radio astronomy, terrestrial aeronomy, and planetary radar data for scientists around the world. The telescope was featured in the movies GoldenEye (1995) and Contact (1997). The National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center developed the observatory and it is operated by Cornell University under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. Conceived in 1958 by William E. Gordon, a Cornell professor of electrical engineering, the radio observatory has been operated, since its completion in 1963. The Arecibo Observatory owned by Cornell University, is powerful enough to receive signals transmitted by a comparable telescope located 1,000 light-years away. The facilities are open to the public Wednesday-Friday noon-4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9am - 4pm. For information call: (787) 878-2612. Arecibo is also home of the Cambalache Forest Reserve known as vivero or nursery because it contains plantations of eucalyptus, teak, and mahoe trees. The City Hall built in 1866, served as jail to " El Grito de Lares " participants in 1868. In 1918, the frontal section of the building was destroyed by a earth tremor. Repairs were made and a tower and clock were added to the building. In 1978, the building was restored to its original form. The Antonio Nery Juarbe Airport is located five miles southeast of the central business district of Arecibo and 50 miles west of San Juan. Originally utilized for military purposes, today, the airport is utilized for the general aviation, with a daily average of eight takeoffs and landings. On March 31, 1947, the airport and all its installations were transferred by the Navy U.S. to the Authority of the Ports along with the Airport of Mayagüez and the old airport of Santa Isabel The Arecibo Lighthouse built by the Spaniards in 1898. This lighthouse still in use and was automated in 1964. Arecibo produces agricultural machinery, clothing, plastics, paper and sporting goods. There are many well-known " arecibeños ", among them: María Cadilla de Martinez, writer Luisa Capetillo , Puerto Rico's most famous labor organizers Cayetano Coll y Toste , historia José Gomez Brioso Francisco Gonzalo Marín, poet and politician René Marquéz, dramatist Antonio de los Reyes Correa, Captain of Infantry of the Spanish Army Victor Rojas Manuel Zeno Gandia , writer

Añasco is known as La Ciudad Donde los Dioses Mueren (the city where the gods die) and El Pueblo Del Hojaldre . The town was founded in October 18, 1733 by Luis de Añasco. The city was named after Don Luis de Añasco.

Añasco is located in Costal Valley of the West region, bordering the Mona Passage to the west, north of Mayagüez and Las Marías ; south of Rincón , Aguada and Moca ; and west of San Sebastián and Las Marías. Añasco highest peaks include Canta Gallo (370 m), Gordo (340 m) and Pichón (340 m). Its annual precipitation is 80.4 and its rivers include Río Grande de Añasco (originates in Lares), Huamtas, Casey, La Balase and La Mona. The annual precipitation is approximately 80.4 inches and the average temperature is 75ºF. The surrounding areas produces sugar and fruits. Añasco has been long known for producing the best moonshine rum in Puerto Rico. There are many well-known " añasqueños ", among them: Mariana Bracetti , patriot and leader of the Puerto Rico independence movement in the 1860's José de Jesús Domínguez, poet Víctor Arrillaga, poet
Land Area: 104 sq km (40.0 sq mi) Water Area: 5.63 sq mi Population: 28,348 Density: 308.1 per sq km (708.7 per sq mi) Housing Units: 10,723 Housing Density: 273.0 Per Capita Income: $6,613 Source: 2000 Census Hymn: Añasco pueblo querido... Barrios (wards) (21): Añasco Añasco Abajo Añasco Arriba Caguabo Casey Arriba Caracol Carreras Cerro Gordo Cidra Corcóvada Daguey Espino Hatillo Humatos Marías Ovejas Piñales Playa Pueblo Quebrada Larga Río Abajo Driving Distance: 97.4 miles * Driving Time: 2 hours, 27 minutes *

Arecibo is known as La Villa del Capitán Correa , in memory of a battle fought successfully on its shores by Captain Antonio de los Reyes Correa and a handful of Spanish Army soldiers to repel a British invasion by sea lead by Admiral Whelstone in August 5, 1702. La Ribera del Arecibo " (the shore of the Arecibo). or " El Damante Del Norte " (the north diamond). -->
Settled in 1556, Arecibo became the third Spanish settlement. Founded sixty years later, in 1616, when the King of Spain granted that section of land and the Indians on it to Lope Conchillos, under the governorship of Captain Felipe de Beaumont y Navarra. The leader (Indian chief) of these Indians was called Jamaica Aracibo, their yucayeque was named after him and ultimately the town was called by that same name. The town is also known as La Muy Leal Villa (very loyal). You can visit Cueva del Indio , an archeological site, the cave is located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, in Bo. Islote. It it is called The Cave of the Indian , because drawings of the Indians that lived in this area in the Prehistoric Era were found in the walls of the cave. Arecibo is the largest city in geographical size on the island. Located in the Northern Coastal Valley region, adjacent to karst zone characterized by the presence of caves and wooded hills. Arecibo is bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of Utuado and Lares ; east of Hatillo ; and west of Barceloneta and Florida . The town is bathed by two rivers, Grande de Arecibo and Tanamá. The annual precipitation is around 53.01 inches and the average temperature is 77.8°F.
Land Area: 330 sq km (127 sq mi) Water Area: 45.23 sq mi Population: 104,600 Density: 303.2 per sq km (823.6 per sq mi) Housing Units: 38,974 Housing Density: 309.3 Per Capita Income: $7,290 Source: 2000 Census Hymn: Arecibo Barrios (wards) (19): Arenalejos Arrozal Cambalache Carreas Domingo Ruiz Dominguito Esperanza Factor Garrochales Hato Abajo Hato Arriba Hato Viejo Islote Miraflores Pueblo Río Arriba Sabana Hoyos Santana Tanamá Driving Distance: 54.5 miles * Driving Time: 1 hour, 16 minutes *
The town has an official U.S. port entry. Located 16 km (10 mi) south of Arecibo, Arecibo Observatory is a astronomical observatory, which is one of the world's most powerful radar-radio telescopes, and the largest single-unit radio telescope in the world. This instrument, inaugurated in 1963, employs a 1,000-foot (300 meter) spherical reflector consisting of perforated aluminum panels that focus incoming radio waves on movable antenna structures positions about 500 feet (168 meter) above the reflector surface. The antenna can be moved in any direction, making it possible to track a celestial object in different regions of the sky. It collects radio astronomy, terrestrial aeronomy, and planetary radar data for scientists around the world. The telescope was featured in the movies GoldenEye (1995) and Contact (1997). The National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center developed the observatory and it is operated by Cornell University under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. Conceived in 1958 by William E. Gordon, a Cornell professor of electrical engineering, the radio observatory has been operated, since its completion in 1963. The Arecibo Observatory owned by Cornell University, is powerful enough to receive signals transmitted by a comparable telescope located 1,000 light-years away. The facilities are open to the public Wednesday-Friday noon-4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9am - 4pm. For information call: (787) 878-2612. Arecibo is also home of the Cambalache Forest Reserve known as vivero or nursery because it contains plantations of eucalyptus, teak, and mahoe trees. The City Hall built in 1866, served as jail to " El Grito de Lares " participants in 1868. In 1918, the frontal section of the building was destroyed by a earth tremor. Repairs were made and a tower and clock were added to the building. In 1978, the building was restored to its original form. The Antonio Nery Juarbe Airport is located five miles southeast of the central business district of Arecibo and 50 miles west of San Juan. Originally utilized for military purposes, today, the airport is utilized for the general aviation, with a daily average of eight takeoffs and landings. On March 31, 1947, the airport and all its installations were transferred by the Navy U.S. to the Authority of the Ports along with the Airport of Mayagüez and the old airport of Santa Isabel The Arecibo Lighthouse built by the Spaniards in 1898. This lighthouse still in use and was automated in 1964. Arecibo produces agricultural machinery, clothing, plastics, paper and sporting goods. There are many well-known " arecibeños ", among them: María Cadilla de Martinez, writer Luisa Capetillo , Puerto Rico's most famous labor organizers Cayetano Coll y Toste , historia José Gomez Brioso Francisco Gonzalo Marín, poet and politician René Marquéz, dramatist Antonio de los Reyes Correa, Captain of Infantry of the Spanish Army Victor Rojas Manuel Zeno Gandia , writer

Arecibo is known as La Villa del Capitán Correa , in memory of a battle fought successfully on its shores by Captain Antonio de los Reyes Correa and a handful of Spanish Army soldiers to repel a British invasion by sea lead by Admiral Whelstone in August 5, 1702. La Ribera del Arecibo " (the shore of the Arecibo). or " El Damante Del Norte " (the north diamond). -->
Settled in 1556, Arecibo became the third Spanish settlement. Founded sixty years later, in 1616, when the King of Spain granted that section of land and the Indians on it to Lope Conchillos, under the governorship of Captain Felipe de Beaumont y Navarra. The leader (Indian chief) of these Indians was called Jamaica Aracibo, their yucayeque was named after him and ultimately the town was called by that same name. The town is also known as La Muy Leal Villa (very loyal). You can visit Cueva del Indio , an archeological site, the cave is located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, in Bo. Islote. It it is called The Cave of the Indian , because drawings of the Indians that lived in this area in the Prehistoric Era were found in the walls of the cave. Arecibo is the largest city in geographical size on the island. Located in the Northern Coastal Valley region, adjacent to karst zone characterized by the presence of caves and wooded hills. Arecibo is bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of Utuado and Lares ; east of Hatillo ; and west of Barceloneta and Florida . The town is bathed by two rivers, Grande de Arecibo and Tanamá. The annual precipitation is around 53.01 inches and the average temperature is 77.8°F.
Land Area: 330 sq km (127 sq mi) Water Area: 45.23 sq mi Population: 104,600 Density: 303.2 per sq km (823.6 per sq mi) Housing Units: 38,974 Housing Density: 309.3 Per Capita Income: $7,290 Source: 2000 Census Hymn: Arecibo Barrios (wards) (19): Arenalejos Arrozal Cambalache Carreas Domingo Ruiz Dominguito Esperanza Factor Garrochales Hato Abajo Hato Arriba Hato Viejo Islote Miraflores Pueblo Río Arriba Sabana Hoyos Santana Tanamá Driving Distance: 54.5 miles * Driving Time: 1 hour, 16 minutes *
The town has an official U.S. port entry. Located 16 km (10 mi) south of Arecibo, Arecibo Observatory is a astronomical observatory, which is one of the world's most powerful radar-radio telescopes, and the largest single-unit radio telescope in the world. This instrument, inaugurated in 1963, employs a 1,000-foot (300 meter) spherical reflector consisting of perforated aluminum panels that focus incoming radio waves on movable antenna structures positions about 500 feet (168 meter) above the reflector surface. The antenna can be moved in any direction, making it possible to track a celestial object in different regions of the sky. It collects radio astronomy, terrestrial aeronomy, and planetary radar data for scientists around the world. The telescope was featured in the movies GoldenEye (1995) and Contact (1997). The National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center developed the observatory and it is operated by Cornell University under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. Conceived in 1958 by William E. Gordon, a Cornell professor of electrical engineering, the radio observatory has been operated, since its completion in 1963. The Arecibo Observatory owned by Cornell University, is powerful enough to receive signals transmitted by a comparable telescope located 1,000 light-years away. The facilities are open to the public Wednesday-Friday noon-4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9am - 4pm. For information call: (787) 878-2612. Arecibo is also home of the Cambalache Forest Reserve known as vivero or nursery because it contains plantations of eucalyptus, teak, and mahoe trees. The City Hall built in 1866, served as jail to " El Grito de Lares " participants in 1868. In 1918, the frontal section of the building was destroyed by a earth tremor. Repairs were made and a tower and clock were added to the building. In 1978, the building was restored to its original form. The Antonio Nery Juarbe Airport is located five miles southeast of the central business district of Arecibo and 50 miles west of San Juan. Originally utilized for military purposes, today, the airport is utilized for the general aviation, with a daily average of eight takeoffs and landings. On March 31, 1947, the airport and all its installations were transferred by the Navy U.S. to the Authority of the Ports along with the Airport of Mayagüez and the old airport of Santa Isabel The Arecibo Lighthouse built by the Spaniards in 1898. This lighthouse still in use and was automated in 1964. Arecibo produces agricultural machinery, clothing, plastics, paper and sporting goods. There are many well-known " arecibeños ", among them: María Cadilla de Martinez, writer Luisa Capetillo , Puerto Rico's most famous labor organizers Cayetano Coll y Toste , historia José Gomez Brioso Francisco Gonzalo Marín, poet and politician René Marquéz, dramatist Antonio de los Reyes Correa, Captain of Infantry of the Spanish Army Victor Rojas Manuel Zeno Gandia , writer