Cayey, Puerto Rico
Encyclopedia
Cayey is a mountain town in central Puerto Rico
located on the Central Mountain range, north of Salinas
and Guayama
; south of Cidra
and Caguas
; east of Aibonito
and Salinas; and west of San Lorenzo
Cayey is spread over 21 wards and Cayey Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city). It is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Cayey is notable for its surrounding mountains. The city has been actively growing since the 1990s, evidenced by its designation as a Metropolitan Area by the U.S. Census Bureau. It has experienced significant growth in commerce, and many major retailers, such as Wal-Mart
have opened stores in this city. A new coliseum and hospital facilities have also been built. Coca-Cola
and Procter & Gamble
are two major corporations that have manufacturing facilities in the town. Cayey is also host to one of the campuses of the University of Puerto Rico, the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey
.
During 1880, a fire that later acquired legendary status took place in Cayey's Mirador Echevarria area. The fire broke out on the property of a timber company near Charca Del Pato. Many people and dogs died, and legend has it that the dogs' barking can still be heard, and sometimes, at night, the screams of the men who burned to death can still be heard too.
During the first half of the 20th century, Cayey was basically an agricultural area of small farmers and local haciendas dedicated to the farming of crops for the local market. During the 1920s and 1930s farmers increasingly lost their land to absentee landowners, mostly American companies, that turned to the cultivation of sugar cane and, to a lesser extent, tobacco for export. In the 1950s and 1960s some manufacturing concerns established plants in Cayey taking advantage of tax incentives offered by "Operation Bootstrap", Puerto Rico's industrialization program. Among the most notable were the "Consolidated Cigars", making cigars, and what was locally known as "Gordon Shire", a textile plant. These plants created hundreds of manufacturing jobs, mostly for women, and created a housing boom. In the 1960s new housing developments, like "Reparto Montellano", provided new housing for Cayey's increasing population outside of the town proper. By that time, however, you could still see vast sugarcane fields in the "Montellano" area of Cayey and the "Central" where the sugarcane was processed. You could likewise see barns dotting the mountainsides where tobacco was hung to dry. In 1967 the University of Puerto Rico opened a campus in Cayey at the old "Henry Barracks", an abandoned WWI U.S Army base. In the early 1970s PR-52 was completed connecting the North and South coastal areas of Puerto Rico and passing through the mountains of Cayey. PR-52, a multi-lane toll highway, rises from the town of Caguas before taking the path of less resistance in the Valley of Cayey, where it ascends further through the mountains before descending to the coastal town of Salinas.
The Golden coquí (Eleuthe rodactylus jasperi; Spanish: Coquí dorado) is a rare and possibly extinct leptodactylid frog species endemic to Puerto Rico. Native from Cayey, Puerto Rico, Golden coquís have only been found in areas of dense bromeliad growth in the Sierra de Cayey of Puerto Rico between 647 and 785 metres above sea level.
The Carite Forest Reserve
Cayey's Matron Festivities "Nuestra Señora de Asunción" are one of the most popular festival events in Puerto Rico. These festivities are celebrated during 10 days consecutively. Bringing singers and bands from around the island. Cayey's Matron Festivities always pops out a surprise during the final days, such like Wisin & Yandel
and others.
Cayey has direct access to Puerto Rico Highway 52 and its downtown/business area is served by Puerto Rico Highway 14
which grants access to Aibonito to the west and is the main route to the University of Puerto Rico
in the town, and Puerto Rico Highway 15
which grants access to south Cayey, Jajome and Guayama. Puerto Rico Highway 1
bypass the business area. The municipality has good paved roads and is well connected to San Juan, being only 25 miles (40 km) away; and about 38 miles (60 km) to Ponce
. Due to its proximity to Caguas and been accessed by PR-52, Cayey is seeing growth in the last years.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
located on the Central Mountain range, north of Salinas
Salinas, Puerto Rico
Salinas is a small municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico located in the southern coast of the island, south of Aibonito and Cayey; southeast of Coamo, east of Santa Isabel; and west of Guayama...
and Guayama
Guayama, Puerto Rico
Guayama is a municipality of Puerto Rico founded on January 29, 1736 and located on the Southern Coastal Valley region, bordering the Caribbean, south of Cayey; east of Salinas; and west of Patillas and Arroyo. Guayama is spread over 9 wards and Guayama Pueblo...
; south of Cidra
Cidra, Puerto Rico
Cidra is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the central region of the island, north of Cayey; south of Comerío and Aguas Buenas; east of Aibonito and Barranquitas; and west of Caguas. Cidra is spread over 12 wards and Cidra Pueblo...
and Caguas
Caguas, Puerto Rico
Caguas , founded in 1775, is a city and municipality of Puerto Rico located in the Central Mountain Range of Puerto Rico, south of San Juan and Trujillo Alto, west of Gurabo and San Lorenzo, east of Aguas Buenas, Cidra, and Cayey....
; east of Aibonito
Aibonito, Puerto Rico
Aibonito is a small mountain town in Puerto Rico 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 is spread over 8 wards and Aibonito Pueblo...
and Salinas; and west of San Lorenzo
San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico
San Lorenzo is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the eastern central region, north of Patillas and Yabucoa; south of Gurabo; east of Caguas and Cayey; and west of Juncos and Las Piedras. San Lorenzo is spread over ten wards and San Lorenzo Pueblo...
Cayey is spread over 21 wards and Cayey Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city). It is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Cayey is notable for its surrounding mountains. The city has been actively growing since the 1990s, evidenced by its designation as a Metropolitan Area by the U.S. Census Bureau. It has experienced significant growth in commerce, and many major retailers, such as Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
have opened stores in this city. A new coliseum and hospital facilities have also been built. Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
and Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble is a Fortune 500 American multinational corporation headquartered in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio and manufactures a wide range of consumer goods....
are two major corporations that have manufacturing facilities in the town. Cayey is also host to one of the campuses of the University of Puerto Rico, the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey
University of Puerto Rico at Cayey
The University of Puerto Rico at Cayey is a state university located in the municipality of Cayey, Puerto Rico.-General information:The University of Puerto Rico at Cayey is among the fifty U.S...
.
History
Cayey was founded on August 17, 1773 by Juan Mata Vázquez, who became its first mayor. It is said that Cayey derives its name from the Taino Indian word for "a place of waters". Its original name was "Cayey de Muesas".During 1880, a fire that later acquired legendary status took place in Cayey's Mirador Echevarria area. The fire broke out on the property of a timber company near Charca Del Pato. Many people and dogs died, and legend has it that the dogs' barking can still be heard, and sometimes, at night, the screams of the men who burned to death can still be heard too.
During the first half of the 20th century, Cayey was basically an agricultural area of small farmers and local haciendas dedicated to the farming of crops for the local market. During the 1920s and 1930s farmers increasingly lost their land to absentee landowners, mostly American companies, that turned to the cultivation of sugar cane and, to a lesser extent, tobacco for export. In the 1950s and 1960s some manufacturing concerns established plants in Cayey taking advantage of tax incentives offered by "Operation Bootstrap", Puerto Rico's industrialization program. Among the most notable were the "Consolidated Cigars", making cigars, and what was locally known as "Gordon Shire", a textile plant. These plants created hundreds of manufacturing jobs, mostly for women, and created a housing boom. In the 1960s new housing developments, like "Reparto Montellano", provided new housing for Cayey's increasing population outside of the town proper. By that time, however, you could still see vast sugarcane fields in the "Montellano" area of Cayey and the "Central" where the sugarcane was processed. You could likewise see barns dotting the mountainsides where tobacco was hung to dry. In 1967 the University of Puerto Rico opened a campus in Cayey at the old "Henry Barracks", an abandoned WWI U.S Army base. In the early 1970s PR-52 was completed connecting the North and South coastal areas of Puerto Rico and passing through the mountains of Cayey. PR-52, a multi-lane toll highway, rises from the town of Caguas before taking the path of less resistance in the Valley of Cayey, where it ascends further through the mountains before descending to the coastal town of Salinas.
Flag
The flag derives its design and colors from the Coat of Arms, which is in the center of the flag encircled by a solid black ring. The centered Coat of Arms and has four triangles pointing to it, two white and two red.Coat of Arms
The Coat of Arms has a three tip mountain, a red bull, and a waving blue stripe representing the abundant water in the zone and also in reverence to the primitive Matron of the town of Cayey. The shield is topped with the silver lamb symbol of San Juan of Puerto Rico, and a red book.Demographics
| Race – Cayey, Puerto Rico – 2000 Census | ||
|---|---|---|
| Race | Population | % of Total |
| White White people White people is a term which usually refers to human beings characterized, at least in part, by the light pigmentation of their skin... |
41,771 | 88.2% |
| Black/African American African American African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States... |
1,834 | 3.9% |
| American Indian Native Americans in the United States Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as... and Alaska Native |
89 | 0.2% |
| Asian Asian people Asian people or Asiatic people is a term with multiple meanings that refers to people who descend from a portion of Asia's population.- Central Asia :... |
64 | 0.1% |
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Pacific Islander Pacific Islander , is a geographic term to describe the indigenous inhabitants of any of the three major sub-regions of Oceania: Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia.According to the Encyclopædia Britannica, these three regions, together with their islands consist of:Polynesia:... |
24 | 0.1% |
| Some other race | 2,602 | 5.5% |
| Two or more races | 986 | 2.1% |
Barrios (Districts/Wards)
- Buena Vista
- Beatriz
- Cayey Pueblo
- Cantera
- Cenepo
- Cedro
- Cercadillo
- Culebras Altas
- Culebras Bajas
- Cuba Libre
- Farallón
- Guavate
- San Cristobal
- Jájome Alto
- Jájome Bajo
- Lapa
- La Ley
- Matón Abajo
- Matón Arriba
- Mogote
- Monte Llano
- Pasto Viejo
- Pedro Avila
- Polvorin
- Piedras
- Quebrada Arriba
- Rincón
- Sumido
- Toita
- Villa Polilla
- Vegas
The Golden coquí
Topography
Cayey is located in a valley surrounded by La Sierra de Cayey, a mountain range where the Carite Forest Reserve is located, and the Cordillera Central, a mountain range that covers most of the central part of Puerto Rico. Because of its location, Cayey its known for its mountains, its cool weather and its foggy mornings, especially in winter. During Spanish rule Spanish soldiers were sent to Cayey, whose cool weather resembled that of Spain, when assigned to Puerto Rico while they acclimated to the tropical weather. In winter it is not unusual for the temperature to drop into the 50's F.The Carite Forest Reserve
- Rivers are: Río Grande de Loíza, Río GuavateRío Guavate-See also:*List of rivers of Puerto Rico-References:*USGS Hydrologic Unit Map – Caribbean Region *...
, Río JájomeRío Jájome-See also:*List of rivers of Puerto Rico-References:*USGS Hydrologic Unit Map – Caribbean Region *...
, Río de la PlataRio de la Plata (Puerto Rico)The Rio de la Plata is the longest river in the island of Puerto Rico. It is located in the north coast of the island. It flows from south to north, and drains into the Atlantic Ocean about 11 miles west of San Juan...
and Río MatonRío Maton-See also:*List of rivers of Puerto Rico-References:*USGS Hydrologic Unit Map – Caribbean Region *...
.
Climate
Cayey's climate is humid, rainy and cold compared to lower-elevation areas of the island, the area of the village is nearly 1500 feet (457.2 m) high, so the climate is subtropical high. The record maximum temperature is 94 °F (34.4 °C) and minimum 45 °F (7.2 °C). The average annual rainfall is 100 inches (2,540 mm) and maximum rainfall record in 24 hours is 20.87 inches (530 mm) of rain.Landmarks and places of interest
- Comsat Station.
- Guavate.
- Ramón Frade Museum.
- Sismograph.
- Brisas De Cayey.
- Monumento al Jíbaro Puertorriqueño.
- Monumento a Los Tres Reyes Magos.
- Tetas de Cayey.
- Carite Forest.
- Charco Azul.
- Lago Carite.
- The Coca Cola Company Bottling Facility.
- Escuela de Bellas Artes.
- El Salón de La Fama del Deporte.
- Cayey, University of Puerto Rico.
- Banda Municipal de Cayey.
- Tuna de Cayey.
Festivals and events
- Regional Fair – April
- Torito Olympics – April
- Matron Festivities Nuestra Señora de Asunción – August
Cayey's Matron Festivities "Nuestra Señora de Asunción" are one of the most popular festival events in Puerto Rico. These festivities are celebrated during 10 days consecutively. Bringing singers and bands from around the island. Cayey's Matron Festivities always pops out a surprise during the final days, such like Wisin & Yandel
Wisin & Yandel
Wisin & Yandel are a Puerto Rican reggaeton Duo, consisting of Juan Luis Morera Luna and Llandel Veguilla Malavé Salazar . They started their career in 1998 and have been together since, winning several awards during that time....
and others.
Education
- 23 Public Schools (2 High Schools, 4 Intermediate Schools, 3 Second Units, 13 Elementary Schools and 1 Special Vocational Center).
Higher Education
- Cayey, University of Puerto Rico.
- University of Turabo at Cayey.
- Instituto de Banca y Comercio.
Telemundo WKAQ TV Tower
Telemundo WKAQ TV Tower, situated at 18°6'47"N 66°3'9"W, is a 336.8 metres (1,105 ft) tall guyed mast for FM-/TV-broadcasting. It was built in 1971 and it is the second tallest man-made structure of Puerto Rico.Pedro Montañez Stadium
The new Pedro Montañez Municipal Stadium in Cayey, Puerto Rico, proceeded by the first Pedro Montañez Municipal Stadium in Cayey, it is the home of the Toritos de Cayey Double A baseball team, and the Benigno Fernandez Garcia Jr. High School's field day competitions.Cayey Pegasus Broadcasting Tower
Just a few hundred yards away at 18°6'33"N 66°3'2"W, there is the third-tallest structure of Puerto Rico. It is a guyed mast owned by Pegasus Broadcasting Inc. with a height of 332.5 metres (1,090.9 ft), which was built in 1966.Transportation
Puerto Rico Highway 14
Puerto Rico Highway 14 is a main highway connecting Cayey, Puerto Rico to Ponce, Puerto Rico. The road uses the same path as the historic old Carretera Central.-Road description:...
which grants access to Aibonito to the west and is the main route to the University of Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
in the town, and Puerto Rico Highway 15
Puerto Rico Highway 15
Puerto Rico Highway 15 is a main highway connecting Cayey, Puerto Rico and Guayama, Puerto Rico. It takes longer than going south to Salinas through PR-52 and taking PR-53 to Guayama, due to being a rural road....
which grants access to south Cayey, Jajome and Guayama. Puerto Rico Highway 1
Puerto Rico Highway 1
Puerto Rico Highway 1 connects the city of Ponce to San Juan. Leaving Ponce, the road follows somewhat parallel along the southern coast of the island and, at Salinas, it turns north to cut through the Cordillera Central in its approach to San Juan....
bypass the business area. The municipality has good paved roads and is well connected to San Juan, being only 25 miles (40 km) away; and about 38 miles (60 km) to Ponce
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Ponce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the...
. Due to its proximity to Caguas and been accessed by PR-52, Cayey is seeing growth in the last years.
Notable natives and residents
- Alexis & Fido, reggaetton group
- Raymond ArrietaRaymond ArrietaRaymond Arrieta is a Puerto Rican comedian.-Early years:Arrieta was born and raised in Puerto Rico's Capital, San Juan. He went to school in the "Academia Nuestra Señora de la Providencia" . When he was in the third grade, Arrieta volunteered to play the part of "Ramoneta Cienfuegos" in a school...
, comedian - Ramón FradeRamon FradeRamón Frade was one of Puerto Rico's most renowned visual artist and architects. His realist style of painting captured the life of the typical Puerto Rican in the twentieth century.-Early years:...
, visual artist/painter - Luis GuzmánLuis GuzmánLuis Guzmán is an actor from Puerto Rico. He is known for his character work. For much of his career, he has played roles largely as sidekicks, thugs, or policemen....
, actor - Pedro MontañezPedro MontañezPedro Montañez, , was a boxer from Cayey, Puerto Rico. Also known as El Torito De Cayey , he has been considered by many to be one of the best boxers in history never to win a world title...
, professional boxer - Zuleyka RiveraZuleyka RiveraZuleyka Jerrís Rivera Mendoza is a Puerto Rican beauty queen who held the titles Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2006 and Miss Universe 2006. She made her debut as a telenovela actress in Telemundo's soap opera Dame Chocolate.-Early life:...
, Miss Universe 2006 - Marcelino SánchezMarcelino SánchezMarcelino Sánchez was a Puerto Rican-American film and television actor. He is primarily remembered for playing Rembrandt in the cult classic film The Warriors, and as Ricardo on The Bloodhound Gang mystery vignettes featured on the 1980s children's educational television show 3-2-1 Contact...
, actor - Wisin & YandelWisin & YandelWisin & Yandel are a Puerto Rican reggaeton Duo, consisting of Juan Luis Morera Luna and Llandel Veguilla Malavé Salazar . They started their career in 1998 and have been together since, winning several awards during that time....
, reggaeton group - Miguel Melendez Munoz, writer, winner of the Laurate Writer Award from the Insituto de Cultura de Puerto Rico, co-founder of the University of Puerto Rico in Cayey
- Joseph O. Prewitt DíazJoseph O. Prewitt DiazJoseph Orlando Prewitt Díaz, PhD is a retired psychologist who specialized in psychosocial theory. He was the recipient of the American Psychological Association's 2008 International Humanitarian Award.-Early years:...
, humanitarian psychologist, scholar and writer, Awarded the APA INternational Humanitarian Award - Dr. Juan A. Nogueras, founder of the "Tuna Estudiantina de Cayey", University Professor, and member of the National Music Hall of Fame in Caguas, Puerto Rico
External links
- La Tuna de Cayey (Official Web site)