Fajardo, Puerto Rico
Encyclopedia
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 in the east region of the island, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of Ceiba
Ceiba, Puerto Rico
Ceiba is a small town in northeast Puerto Rico. It is named after the famous Ceiba tree. Ceiba is located in the east coast of the island, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of Naguabo, south of Fajardo, and east of Río Grande. It is located about one hour's driving distance from San Juan...
and east of Luquillo
Luquillo, Puerto Rico
Luquillo is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the northeast coast, northwest of Fajardo; and east of Rio Grande. Luquillo is spread over 5 wards and Luquillo Pueblo...
.Fajardo is spread over 7 wards and Downtown Fajardo (commonly called by the locals "Fajardo Pueblo"), which serves as the administrative center of the city. It is both a principal city of the Fajardo Metropolitan Statistical Area and the San Juan-Caguas-Fajardo Combined Statistical Area.
Fajardo is the hub of the majority of recreational boating in Puerto Rico and a popular launching port to Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Isla Culebra is an island-municipality of Puerto Rico originally called Isla Pasaje and Isla de San Ildefonso. It is located approximately east of the Puerto Rican mainland, west of St. Thomas and north of Vieques. Culebra is spread over 5 wards and Culebra Pueblo...
, Vieques
Vieques, Puerto Rico
Vieques , in full Isla de Vieques, is an island–municipality of Puerto Rico in the northeastern Caribbean, part of an island grouping sometimes known as the Spanish Virgin Islands...
, and the American and British Virgin Islands
Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands are the western island group of the Leeward Islands, which are the northern part of the Lesser Antilles, which form the border between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean...
. It is also the home to the largest Marina in the Caribbean, called Puerto del Rey. The town contains various hotels and inns.
Off shore, near Fajardo, a few islets can be found. These are Icacos, Palominos, Palominito, and Diablo, among other uninhabited coral islands.
History
Fajardo was founded in 1760, 1773 or 1774 (depending on the authority) as Santiago de Fajardo. It was one of the locations used by the Americans to invade Puerto Rico. On August 1, 1898 the USS Puritan under the command of Captain Frederic W. Rodgers, was sailing by the coastline of the city of Fajardo, when Rogers noticed the "Faro de Las Cabezas de San Juan" (Cape San Juan lighthouse) which was supposed to be the landing site for the US Army in Puerto Rico. Rodgers ordered some of his men ashore, which included Puerto Rican volunteers, with the mission of posting the American Flag atop the lighthouse.Flag
Fajardo's flag is a tricolor triband. The upper band is gules (red), symbolizing the color of the shield's border. Silver (white), the center band, stands for the color of the main pieces that appear in the shield and the crown. Azure (blue), the lower band, represents the color of the sky and the sea of Fajardo. Centered is the Coat of Arms of the village (villa) in natural colors.Coat of Arms
The Coat of Arms is formed as a square with a rounded base and stamped at the top with a crown mural of three towers. It is supported by two dolphins, and underneath the base a banner with the inscription Codey Astol DE SANTIAGO".Barrios (Districts/Wards)
- Barriada Obrera
- Las Cabezas (Las Croabas)
- Demajagua
- Fajardo Pueblo
Fajardo Gardens
- Florencio
- Monte Brisas
- Monte Mar
- Monte Vista
- Naranjo
- Paraiso
- Quebrada Fajardo
- Quebrada Vueltas
- Río Arriba
- Santa Isidra
- Sardinera
- Valle Puerto Real
- Villa Clarita
| Race - Fajardo, Puerto Rico - 2010 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... |
23,964 | 64.8% |
| Black/Afro-Puerto Rican African immigration to Puerto Rico The history of African people in Puerto Rico begins with the immigration of African free men who accompanied the invading Spanish Conquistadors. The Spaniards enslaved the Taínos , and many of them died as a result of Spaniards' oppressive colonization efforts... |
6,864 | 18.6% |
| 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 Alaska Natives Alaska Natives are the indigenous peoples of Alaska. They include: Aleut, Inuit, Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, Eyak, and a number of Northern Athabaskan cultures.-History:In 1912 the Alaska Native Brotherhood was founded... |
258 | 0.7% |
| 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 :... |
73 | 0.3% |
| Native Hawaiian Native Hawaiians Native Hawaiians refers to the indigenous Polynesian people of the Hawaiian Islands or their descendants. Native Hawaiians trace their ancestry back to the original Polynesian settlers of Hawaii.According to the U.S... /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:... |
4 | 0.0% |
| Some other race | 3,822 | 10.3% |
| Two or more races | 1,986 | 5.4% |
Geo/Topography
- Fajardo RiverRío Fajardo-See also:*List of rivers of Puerto Rico-References:*USGS Hydrologic Unit Map – Caribbean Region *...
- Aguas Buenas Gorge, Fajardo Gorge, Juan Diego Gorge and the Mata Redonda Gorge
- Aguas Prietas and Grande lagoons
Industry
Electrical components, metal work, furniture manufacturing. Fajardo is also home to pharmaceutical and bio-sciences companies.Due to its rich ports and closeness to smaller islands, Fajardo is also known for its fishing industries.
Tourism
Fajardo is popular among tourists, especially local tourists, because of its seafood, hotels, closeness to the small islands of Palomino, Icacos and Palominito, and the many daily trips that are available to Vieques and CulebraCulebra, Puerto Rico
Isla Culebra is an island-municipality of Puerto Rico originally called Isla Pasaje and Isla de San Ildefonso. It is located approximately east of the Puerto Rican mainland, west of St. Thomas and north of Vieques. Culebra is spread over 5 wards and Culebra Pueblo...
, both by boat and by the four airlines that served Fajardo Airport (recently closed): Air Culebra
Air Culebra
Culebra Air Services, established in 1998 as Air Culebra, is a small Puerto Rican airline company that flies out of the island of Culebra, in Puerto Rico, and the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, in San Juan.-Destinations:...
, Air St. Thomas
Air St. Thomas
Air St. Thomas was an airline based on the island of St. Thomas, in the United States Virgin Islands. It operated regular and charter passenger services. Its main base was Cyril E. King Airport, St Thomas. It ceased operations in December 2005-Code data:...
, Isla Nena Air and Vieques Air Link
Vieques Air Link
Vieques Air Link is a small Puerto Rican airline company that links Vieques with Culebra and mainland Puerto Rico.- History :Operations began on 1965, with owner Osvaldo "Val" Gonzalez-Duriex piloting a plane with three passengers from Vieques to Humacao...
.
Fajardo's beaches are bounded by calm, clear water ideal for snorkeling. Seven Seas Beach offers plentiful water sports facilities, offshore points for sailing, snorkeling and plenty of scuba diving.
Fajardo is also home to one of the few Bioluminescent Lagoons in the world. Nightly trips are offered by kayak by local companies who give educational tours.
Landmarks and places of interest
- Las Cabezas de San Juan Light House - One of the oldest lighthouses in Puerto Rico. Only one used for nautical reasons in the entire island.
- BioluminescentBioluminescenceBioluminescence is the production and emission of light by a living organism. Its name is a hybrid word, originating from the Greek bios for "living" and the Latin lumen "light". Bioluminescence is a naturally occurring form of chemiluminescence where energy is released by a chemical reaction in...
Lagoon - One of the few Bio-Bays in the world. - Puerto del Rey MarinaPuerto Del Rey MarinaPuerto del Rey Marina is a marina located in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. With a capacity of 1,100 boats, it is one of the largest marinas in the Caribbean.–- General description :...
- Biggest marina in the Caribbean. - El Conquistador Resort & Casino - One of Puerto Rico's most luxurious resorts.
- Seven Seas Beach - One of the most beautiful beaches on the island. Classified Blue Flag for its sanitary health guarantees.
- Las Cabezas de San Juan Reserve - Home to mangroves and to the lighthouse.
- Fajardo Port - Used by locals and tourists to visit the island municipalities of Vieques and Culebras.
- Town Square - One of the most charming, antique styled, town squares of Puerto Rico. It has free wireless internet.
- Old Fajardo Sugar Cane Refinery
- Isleta Marina
- Natural Reserve Las Croabas
- Las Croabas Recreational Park
- Hipolito Robles Sports Complex
- Santiago Apostol Cathedral
- Icacos, Palomino and Palominito Cays (islets)
Festivals and events
- Bicicletada Fajardeña - April
- Kite Festival - April
- Kelly Cup Sailboat Regata - April
- Bomba & Plena Festival - May
- Fiesta Patronales Santiago Apóstol - July
- Paradise Fiesta - August
- Cocolía Festival - November
Famous Fajardeños
- General Antonio Valero de Bernabé Pacheco - Fought with Simón Bolívar.
- Dr. Antonia Coello de NoveloAntonia NovelloAntonia Coello Novello, M.D., is a Puerto Rican physician and public health administrator. She was a vice admiral in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and served as fourteenth Surgeon General of the United States from 1990 to 1993...
- Former Surgeon General - Antonio R. BarcelóAntonio R. BarcelóAntonio Rafael Barceló y Martinez was a lawyer, businessman and the patriarch of what was to become one of Puerto Rico's most prominent political families...
- Politician - Marquita RiveraMarquita RiveraMarquita Rivera , a.k.a. "Queen of Latin Rhythm", was a Puerto Rican actress, singer and dancer.Dubbed the "Queen of La Conga", "Queen of Latin Rhythm" and "Latin Hurricane" during various stages of her career, Rivera, went on to enjoy a strong musical career both in the United States and in her...
- first actress from Puerto Rico to appear in a major Hollywood motion picture. - John John MolinaJohn John MolinaJuan Molina , better known as John John Molina in the world of boxing, is a former boxer whose career transcended boxing in Puerto Rico. A multiple time world champion, this boxer was also known as quite a socialite...
- Boxer - Magui Mercado - Composer
- Carlos ArroyoCarlos ArroyoCarlos Alberto Arroyo Bermúdez is a Puerto Rican professional basketball point guard who last played for the Boston Celtics. Arroyo is the fifth player from Puerto Rico to play in the NBA...
- Basketball Player
Sports
Fajardo in the past was home to a National Superior Basketball; Baloncesto Superior Nacional BSN basketballBasketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team, the Fajardo Cariduros
Fajardo Cariduros
The Fajardo Cariduros is a basketball team in the BSN league of Puerto Rico. The team plays on the eastern town of Fajardo, Puerto Rico. The Cariduros play on the Metro Division. The team was transferred from Morovis to Fajardo by Marcelino Garcia....
or as they are known in the Island Cariduros de Fajardo. Carlos Arroyo
Carlos Arroyo
Carlos Alberto Arroyo Bermúdez is a Puerto Rican professional basketball point guard who last played for the Boston Celtics. Arroyo is the fifth player from Puerto Rico to play in the NBA...
, Edgar Leon and Georgie Torres
Georgie Torres
Georgie Torres , better known as Georgie Torres, is a Puerto Rican. He is a well known former BSN basketball player. Torres broke the record for the most points scored in a career at that league, with over 16,000 points scored. He was the first player to reach that number of points...
were three of the most famous players to play for that franchise.
In 2007, the team returned once again to the BSN. The team known as the "Titanes de Morovis" was moved to Fajardo, and was renamed "Cariduros de Fajardo". Unlike the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
and other sports leagues in the USA, Puerto Rican franchises rarely leave the original name of the franchise when they move to a different city.
Once, there was a basketball team for the Puerto Rican Basketball League known as the "Conquistadores de Fajardo".
Fajardo also has a AA Amateur Baseball Team Los Cariduros de Fajardo and have won over 10 sectional championships, 3 time national runner ups in 1974, 2003 and 2005, and 3 times national champions in 1954, 2004 and 2010.