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97-520: Trujillo Alto ( Spanish pronunciation: [tɾuˈxiʝo ˈalto] ) is a town and municipality of Puerto Rico . Located on the northeastern costal plain on the boundary between the Northern Karst Belt and Sierra de Luquillo , it is north of Caguas and Gurabo , southeast of San Juan , and west of Carolina . Part of the San Juan metropolitan area , Trujillo Alto is spread over 6 barrios and
194-629: A grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. The Gruta de Lourdes (Lourdes Grotto) is visited frequently by religious people and tourists. There's also a convent in Trujillo Alto called the Convento Carmelitas de San José . Trujillo Alto doesn't have a professional sports team. However, there are several sports facilities in the city for amateur and novice leagues. In 2011, the Rubén Sánchez Montañez Court in Trujillo Alto, hosted
291-438: A tropical monsoon climate ( Am ) with year-round growing season . It has an average temperature of 81.0 °F (27.2 °C). Temperatures of 90 °F (32 °C) or higher are seen on an average 79 days annually, more commonly occurring during the wetter months of the northern summer, especially if the winds come from the south. In the winter, temperatures can drop to around 60 °F (16 °C). The average winter low
388-691: A certain amount of social exclusion . A map shows these communities occur in nearly every municipality of the commonwealth. Of the 742 places that were on the list in 2014, the following barrios, communities, sectors, or neighborhoods were in Trujillo Alto: San Nicolás neighborhood, Bethania, Comunidad Talanco, El Hoyo II, El Resbalón, Parcelas Carraízo, Parcelas Ramón T. Colón, Sector Arayanes, Sector La Prá, Sector Las Cruces, Sector Los Nuñez, Villa Escondida, Villa Margarita and Villa Platanal. There are several places of interest for tourists to visit in Trujillo Alto. The Bicentenary Walkway , located in
485-552: A direct impact in Puerto Rico, causing widespread damage and a collapse of the infrastructure in San Juan and the rest of Puerto Rico. The damage caused in 2017 was extensive, affecting the electricity, potable water supplies, transportation, and communication, but significant progress had been made in the capital by April 2019, and particularly by October 2019. This was significant for tourism, which had rebounded by October of that year and
582-562: A food specific to Trujillo Alto, is celebrated each year around the second week of December. Other festivals and fairs celebrated in Trujillo Alto include an agricultural fair held in January and a Paso Fino Festival held in November. In 2001, Trujillo Alto commemorated its bicentenary with the opening of a new park in the PR-181 , which included a remodeling of the historical steel bridge. There are
679-608: A member of the "Porto Rico Regiment of Infantry" and Officer of the Day, on March 25, 1915, opened fire on the Odenwald , an armed German supply vessel, when it was trying to force its way out of San Juan's bay. The shots ordered by Lt. Marxuach were the first fired by the United States in World War I. In 1919, Félix Rigau Carrera , "El Aguila de Sabana Grande" (The Eagle from Sabana Grande ),
776-430: A number of churches and chapels from several denominations in Trujillo Alto. The main parish, Santa Cruz Church, was built in 1817. Part of a related structure was damaged by Hurricane San Felipe in 1928. The current structure was designed by Luis Perocier and built in 1933. Trujillo Alto has also been a place of pilgrimage for Catholics after a shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes was blessed in 1925. The site also features
873-759: A number of entities such as the Municipality, the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources , the National Park Service , the University of Puerto Rico and conservation easements . The San Juan Ecological Corridor is a conservation project by the Government of Puerto Rico consisting in 6 different units found within the municipality of San Juan: the Cupey Arboretum, which protects
970-682: A number of playgrounds for children. Its main attraction is the cableway that crosses the park and offers scenic views of the Piedras River and the city while providing transportation to the Roberto Clemente Coliseum and the Hiram Bithorn Stadium . The municipality of San Juan is home to various important ecosystems and preserved natural areas. Some of the ecosystems of the San Juan Bay National Estuary , which
1067-708: A park. The Carraízo Dam and the Loíza Lake reservoir are also frequently visited. Other places of interest are the Carmelitas de San José Convent , the Lourdes Grotto , and the Trujillo Alto Mountain Spring . The economy of Trujillo Alto has relied mostly on agriculture, particularly sugarcane , coffee, tobacco, and minor fruits. Cattle ranching is also a source of economy in Trujillo Alto. In recent years, commerce and industry have become integral parts of
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#17328595615751164-519: A public housing project by the name of Residencial Fray Bartolome de Las Casas was constructed on its former location. On January 2, 1947, the people of San Juan elected Felisa Rincón de Gautier (also known as Doña Fela) (1897–1994) as their mayor. Thus, she became the first woman to be elected as the mayor of a capital city in any of the Americas. During the Cold War era, she ordered the establishment of
1261-481: A stop to the destruction and led 200 men in an attack against the enemy's front and rear guard. They drove Enrico and his men from their trenches and into the ocean in their haste to reach their ships. The British attack in 1797, during the French Revolutionary Wars , led by Sir Ralph Abercromby (who had just conquered Trinidad ). His army laid siege to the city but was forced to withdraw in defeat as
1358-483: A sword wound to his neck which he received from the hands of Amézqueta. The Dutch ships at sea were boarded by Puerto Ricans who defeated those aboard. After a long battle, the Spanish soldiers and volunteers of the city's militia were able to defend the city from the attack and save the island from an invasion. On October 21, Enrico set La Fortaleza and the city ablaze. Captains Amézqueta and Andrés Botello decided to put
1455-426: Is 71 °F (22 °C). The coolest temperature officially recorded was 60 °F (16 °C) on March 3, 1957, and the hottest was 98 °F (37 °C) on October 9, 1981. The record cold daily maximum is 71 °F (22 °C) on February 4, 1935. The record warm daily minimum is 83 °F (28 °C) on August 11, 1995, the most recent of four occasions. With a mean minimum of 67 °F (19 C), San Juan
1552-469: Is a fried dish made with plantains and meat. The popularity of the dish is such that a festival is celebrated annually on its honor. The Macabeo Festival began in the early 1980s and is held annually in December. The population of Trujillo Alto increased steadily during the 20th century and until the year 2000. There was a 1.2% decrease from 2000 to 2010 and a 9.5% decrease from 2010 to 2020. According to
1649-459: Is a religious and cultural celebration that generally features parades, games, artisans, amusement rides, regional food, and live entertainment. The Festival Trujillano de Orquídeas ( Orchid Festival) has been held in July since 2011. It is an horticultural competition and festival where orchids are ranked, exhibited and sold. The Festival del Macabeo (Macabeo Festival), a festival celebrating
1746-522: Is about 2.443 million inhabitants; thus, about 76% of the population of Puerto Rico now lives and works in this area. San Juan is also a principal city of the San Juan-Caguas-Fajardo Combined Statistical Area . The city has been the host of events within the sports community, including the 1979 Pan American Games ; 1966 Central American and Caribbean Games ; events of the 2006, 2009 and 2013 World Baseball Classics ;
1843-403: Is also home to a rich variety of buildings that showcase the history of Puerto Rican architecture throughout the past 120 years, with buildings designed by notable architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright 's student Henry Klumb , Edward H. Bennett , William E. Parsons , and Rafael Carmoega who designed the distinctive clock tower and the university quadrangle , both of which were inscribed in
1940-594: Is also known as the " Town of the Eight Streets " because the downtown area consists of eight streets. Trujillo Alto is also known as the " City in the Country ", for its proximity to the San Juan Metropolitan Area despite being mostly a mountain town. Finally, it is also called the " Laid-back Town ". The main road to Trujillo Alto is the PR-181 that crosses the municipality from north to south. Distance from
2037-458: Is in USDA plant hardiness zone 13B, which is the highest category. Rainfall is well-distributed throughout the year. The months of January, February, and March are the driest. As March averages just 1.95 inches (49.5 mm) of rain, the city falls under the tropical monsoon category. Rainfall averages 56.35 inches (1,431.3 mm), falling on an average 198.5 days per year. Despite this dampness,
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#17328595615752134-448: Is now Trujillo Alto belonged to the Taíno region of Cayniabón, which stretched from the northeast coast of Puerto Rico into the central region of the island. The region was led by cacique Canobaná. Archeological findings have identified two sites within the municipality of Trujillo Alto with archeological significance: Las Cuevas, which was studied by Irving Rouse, and Quebrada Grande. After
2231-416: Is now used solely as a public water-supply source. The Loíza Lake is also used for water sports and recreational fishing. Like all municipalities of Puerto Rico, Trujillo Alto is subdivided into barrios . The municipal buildings, central square and large Catholic church are located in a barrio referred to as "el pueblo" . Trujillo Alto's townscape is fairly simple. Most of the barrios are spread through
2328-534: Is the capital city and most populous municipality in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , an unincorporated territory of the United States . As of the 2020 census , it is the 57th-largest city under the jurisdiction of the United States, with a population of 342,259. San Juan was founded by Spanish colonists in 1521, who called it Ciudad de Puerto Rico (Spanish for "Rich Port City"). Puerto Rico's capital
2425-596: Is the largest of its kind in the Caribbean and one of the most advanced in the Americas. San Juan is located along the north-eastern coast of Puerto Rico in the Northern Plains region. It lies south of the Atlantic Ocean; north of Caguas and Trujillo Alto ; east of Guaynabo ; and west of Carolina . The city occupies an area of 76.93 square miles (199.2 km ), of which, 29.11 square miles (75.4 km ) (37.83%)
2522-790: Is the only tropical estuary in the National Estuary Program network, are protected by numerous nature reserves and protected areas such as the Caño Martín Peña Nature Reserve . Other areas protected under the San Juan Bay National Estuary include El Condado Lagoon , the San José Lagoon and El Boquerón where the San Antonio Creek and the Condado Lagoon connect with the Atlantic Ocean. Two of
2619-505: Is the second oldest European-established capital city in the Americas, after Santo Domingo , in the Dominican Republic , founded in 1496, and is the oldest European-established city under United States sovereignty . Several historical buildings are located in the historic district of Old San Juan ; among the most notable are the city's former defensive walls , Fort San Felipe del Morro and Fort San Cristóbal , and La Fortaleza ,
2716-407: Is under 18 years old. The next biggest percentage of population (20.7%) is between 35 and 49 years old. Like all municipalities in Puerto Rico, Trujillo Alto is administered by a mayor. The first official mayor of Trujillo Alto was Juan Francisco Carazo, who was one of the residents that vouched for the founding of the town in 1801. The mayor as of July 16, 2022 is Pedro Rodríguez González. Before him
2813-459: Is very diverse, due to its size and all the cultural influences received during its existence. The oldest part of the city, known as Old San Juan , mostly features the influence of Spanish architecture . This part of the city is comprised by a network of "setted" roads usually surrounded by colonial, two-storied houses built on masonry . Some colonial structures have been restored and serve either as government offices or museums. Some examples are
2910-516: Is water. San Juan's main water bodies are San Juan Bay and two natural lagoons, the Condado and San José . At almost 1,030 feet (314 m) above sea level, the highest point in the municipality of San Juan is located on an unnamed hill on the Morcelo sector of Caimito , close to the municipal border with Caguas . The municipality of San Juan is surrounded by the San Juan metropolitan area , particularly
3007-721: The Ballajá Barracks , which now serve as museum and headquarters of several cultural organizations; La Fortaleza , which has served as the residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico since the 16th Century; and the Ancient Welfare Asylum, which now houses the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, among others. Old San Juan also features several public squares, like the Plaza de Armas , located in front of San Juan City Hall; and cathedrals, like
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3104-604: The Cangrejeros de Santurce team of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN), which is the professional basketball league. The facility has a capacity for 2,250 people. In September, Trujillo Alto celebrates the Arrecosta'o Marathon, which is one of the most important events in the city. The race has been celebrated yearly since 1985. It originally covered a 6.2-mile (10-kilometer) trajectory around town, but in 2007, it
3201-695: The Capitol of Puerto Rico is home to the Iglesias Pantín and Rafael Hernández Marín parks, and a line of monuments located along Constitución Avenue which includes the Walkway of the Presidents , the Puerto Rico Police Memorial Monument and The Holocaust Memorial Monument. The Loma de los Vientos , or Loma del Viento (Spanish for "hill of winds"), is a small open green area located northwest of
3298-696: The Caribbean Series and the Special Olympics and MLB San Juan Series in 2010. The Taíno people were the original inhabitants of the area before the arrival of the Europeans to the island of Puerto Rico in 1493. Remains of a small indigenous fishing village have been found in Puerta de Tierra where the Puerto Rico National Guard Museum stands today, however most archaeological sites in
3395-519: The Carraízo Dam constructed in barrio Carraízo , a filtration plant was constructed in barrio Cuevas in Trujillo Alto. The proximity of the city to the capital, San Juan , sparked significant growth and development in the region and during the 20th century, the population of Trujillo Alto increased dramatically. As of 2010, the city is the tenth-most populous city of Puerto Rico . Mayor José Luis Cruz Cruz , who has been serving since 2009, has labeled
3492-557: The Cathedral of San Juan Bautista . Old San Juan is also notable for being partly enclosed by massive walls and fortifications built by the Spanish government . The colonial Walls of the city of San Juan had five gates. The main was the Puerta de San Juan, today preserved, built in 1635. It also had the Puerta de San José, the Puerta de Santa Rosa, the Puerta de San Justo and the Puerta de Santiago,
3589-596: The Caño Martín Peña Nature Reserve . Luis Muñoz Marín Park , La Merced Park, Dr. José N. Gándara Park, Santiago Iglesias Pantín Park are some of the parks located in Hato Rey. Luis Muñoz Marín Park is one of the largest in the municipality. It is located in the Gobernador Piñero district between Hato Rey and Puerto Nuevo . The park has gazebos that can be rented for events, green areas for strolls, biking and picnics, an artificial lake with paddleboats for rent ($ 6), and
3686-936: The Puerto Rico Metropolitan Bus Authority , with various stops along the PR-181 and nearby neighborhoods. Other public transportation in the city is provided by taxis and independent public cars. There are 11 bridges in Trujillo Alto. Trujillo Alto barrio-pueblo Too Many Requests If you report this error to the Wikimedia System Administrators, please include the details below. Request from 172.68.168.151 via cp1112 cp1112, Varnish XID 391495005 Upstream caches: cp1112 int Error: 429, Too Many Requests at Fri, 29 Nov 2024 05:52:41 GMT San Juan, Puerto Rico San Juan ( / ˌ s æ n ˈ hw ɑː n / san WHAHN , Spanish: [saŋ ˈxwan] ; Spanish for "Saint John ")
3783-566: The Río Grande de Loíza , which crosses the municipality. There are also several creeks in the city: Colorada, Infierno, Limones, Naranjo, Grande, Pastrana, Haya Fría, and Maracuto. Also, Trujillo Alto is the site of Puerto Rico 's main water reservoir : The Carraízo Dam , at the Loíza Lake . Both were built in 1953 by the Puerto Rico Aqueducts and Sewers Authority (PRASA). Although it was originally built to generate hydroelectricity, it
3880-459: The Río Grande de Loíza . The construction of two bridges in 1826 helped facilitate access to the town. In 1939, the United States Army built a steel bridge in the entrance to the town on the PR-181, to replace one of the older ones. Although the bridge is no longer used for vehicles, it has become a symbol of the city and still stands today. The northern part of Trujillo Alto is serviced by
3977-563: The Santo Tomás de Aquino Convent and the Nuestra Señora de la Concepción Hospital, were established during this time in San Juan. The ambiguous use of San Juan Bautista and Puerto Rico for both the city and the island in time led to a reversal in practical use by most inhabitants: by 1746 the name for the city (Puerto Rico) had become that of the entire island, leading to the city being identified as Puerto Rico de Puerto Rico on maps of
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4074-447: The Spanish colonization , families started settling at both sides of the Río Grande de Loíza . During the 17th century, the Spanish crown granted Alonso Pizarro Hermona, from Trujillo in Spain, a vast ranch that covered the region. Residents began using his family name to refer to the location. Eventually, the inhabitants went to the Governor and asked for a permit to build a chapel, which
4171-571: The US Department of War conducted its first census of Puerto Rico and found that the population of Trujillo Alto was 5,683. In 1902, the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico approved a law for the consolidation of certain municipalities. As a result, Trujillo Alto was incorporated into the town and municipality of bordering Carolina . In 1905 the law was revoked returning Trujillo Alto to its status of municipality again. In 1952, along with
4268-520: The capital is 11 miles (18 km), with a travel time of roughly 15 minutes by car. Other highways that lead to Trujillo Alto are PR-852 of the Quebrada Grande neighborhood and Dos Bocas , PR-175 of the neighborhood Carraízo , the Las Cumbres Avenue and PR-851 from La Gloria neighborhood. In the past, communication with the town was limited because of its location on the other side of
4365-976: The riparian ecosystems along the Río Piedras ; the Doña Inés Mendoza Urban Forest , a small urban forest located next to the Luis Muñoz Marín Foundation in Sabana Llana Sur ; Los Capuchinos Forest , a forest which covers a small karst area also in Sabana Llana Sur; the New Millennium State Forest , one of the 20 state forests of Puerto Rico ; the San Juan Waterworks , consisting of the Old Piedras River Aqueduct and adjacent historic district ; and
4462-449: The 20 state forests of Puerto Rico are located in the municipality of San Juan: the New Millennium Urban Forest , which is also part of the San Juan Ecological Corridor, and the San Patricio Urban Forest , a secondary forest located next to a mogote . The Hermanas Sendra and San Juan Park Protected Natural Areas are located inland within the municipality of San Juan in the barrios of Caimito and Cupey . The architecture of San Juan
4559-417: The 2010 Census, it is Puerto Rico's tenth-most populated municipality. In 1953–54, the Carraízo hydroelectric dam was constructed in Trujillo Alto by the Sumner Sollitt Construction Company of Chicago, under contract by the Puerto Rico Water Resources Authority . The dam forms the Loíza Lake , a reservoir which serves as the main source of the water supply for San Juan, Puerto Rico . The region of what
4656-411: The 2020 census, the municipality had 67,740 inhabitants. Despite the decline, in 2020 Trujillo Alto was the tenth largest municipality in Puerto Rico, in terms of population. According to the 2010 Census, 72% of the population identifies themselves as White , and 14.6% as African-American . Also, 47.5% of the population identified themselves as males, and 52.5% as females. Finally, 25% of the population
4753-453: The Capitol, next to Castle San Cristóbal , and it often hosts events such as the Epiphany celebrations. Luis Muñoz Rivera Park is a 27.2 acre recreational and historic park located in Puerta de Tierra , between Luis Muñoz Rivera, Ponce de León and Constitución avenues. It is the largest public square in Puerto Rico, and it is home to several historic sites such as the Polvorín San Gerónimo de Boquerón , which used to supply gunpowder to
4850-527: The Caribbean, the beaches of San Juan are currently under the threat of coastal erosion , particularly that of Ocean Park. The threat has become more evident recently and there are currently no state reports dedicated to the documentation or mitigation planning, according to oceanographer and geologist Maritza Barreto. The municipality of San Juan contains numerous parks, including public parks, historic and heritage parks, nature reserves, protected natural areas, and recreational parks. These parks are managed by
4947-406: The NRHP in 1984. As with the other Puerto Rican municipalities, San Juan is administratively divided into barrios . What is now known as Old San Juan occupied the western end of a rocky islet, the Isleta de San Juan , at the mouth of San Juan Bay. During the 20th century, the main population centers surged well beyond the walls of the old city and onto Puerto Rico's main island and merged with
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#17328595615755044-451: The Northern Coastal Plain region of Puerto Rico. It is bordered by the municipalities of San Juan , Carolina , Gurabo , and Caguas . Trujillo Alto is a small municipality, covering only 21.47 square miles (55.6 km). Trujillo Alto's terrain is mostly plain in the north, while the south features small hills. Heights can range from 660 to 1,600 feet (200–500 meters) above sea level. Trujillo Alto's hydrographic system consists mainly of
5141-416: The PPD, represent different regions of Trujillo Alto in the House of Representatives . The municipio has an official flag and coat of arms. The flag of Trujillo Alto features a white background with the town's coat of arms in the center. The coat of arms features a shield with a blue border, with eight spurts of water representing the many springs , creeks , and rivers that flow in town. Inside
5238-685: The Puerto Rican defenses proved more resilient than those of Trinidad. Various events and circumstances, including liberalized commerce with Spain, the opening of the island to immigrants as a direct result of the Royal Decree of Graces of 1815 , and the colonial revolutions, led to an expansion of San Juan and other Puerto Rican settlements in the late 18th and early 19th century. On May 8, 1898, United States Navy ships, among them USS Detroit , USS Indiana , USS New York , USS Amphitrite , USS Terror and USS Montgomery , commanded by Rear Admiral William T. Sampson arrived at San Juan Bay. USS Yale captured
5335-544: The Spanish freighter Rita in San Juan Bay, thus being the first hostile encounter between the warring sides in Puerto Rico. On May 9, Yale fought a brief battle with an auxiliary cruiser of Spain, name unknown, resulting in a Spanish victory. Around this time, Captain Ángel Rivero Méndez was assigned the command of the Spanish forces in the fortress of San Cristóbal in San Juan. On May 10, Yale returned to San Juan Bay, Rivero-Méndez ordered his men to open fire upon Yale using an Ordoñez 15-centimeter cannon, thus becoming
5432-447: The United States. Among the uprising's main objective was to attack La Fortaleza and the United States Federal Court House Building in Old San Juan . The "La Fortaleza battle", which ensued between the nationalists and the police lasted 15 minutes and ended when four of the five attackers were killed. San Juan has experienced periods of both stagnation and development in the recent years. Gentrification has been noticeable in areas of
5529-494: The University of Puerto Rico Botanical Garden, also known as the San Juan Botanical Garden . The San Juan National Historic Site is home to El Morro Esplanade , a large open area located between El Morro and Ballajá in Old San Juan . The esplanade is located in the promontory which gives El Morro its name and it offers views of the San Juan Bay and the rest of San Juan. It is very popular for activities such as picnics, stargazing and kite flying . The district of
5626-433: The city as " The New Metropolis ". Hurricane Maria on September 20, 2017, triggered numerous landslides in Trujillo Alto, with its rain and winds. The hurricane winds and rain damaged infrastructure and caused almost the entire electrical system of Trujillo Alto to collapse, leaving its nearly 75,000 residents with no electrical power. Also, 90% of the residents lost access to clean, drinking water . Trujillo Alto sits on
5723-435: The city averages 2,970 hours of sunshine per year, or just over 2 ⁄ 3 of the possible total. Annual rainfall has historically ranged from 35.53 in (902 mm) in 1991 to 89.50 in (2,273 mm) in 2010. As with other parts of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, San Juan is often blanketed by waves of Saharan dust coming from the Sahara across the Atlantic Ocean in Northern Africa . Although beneficial to
5820-462: The city such as Loíza Street in Santurce and Santa Rita in Río Piedras. In recent years the city has been the location of multiple strikes and protests, such as the 2001 protests against the United States Navy in the island municipality of Vieques , the 2010 and 2011 University of Puerto Rico strikes , and the 2019 protests against Governor Ricardo Rosselló which resulted in his resignation. On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria made
5917-406: The city was sacked by Dutch forces led by Captain Balduino Enrico (also known as Boudewijn Hendricksz/Bowdoin Henrick), but El Morro withstood the assault and was not taken. The Dutch were counterattacked by Captain Juan de Amézqueta and 50 members of the civilian militia on land and by the cannons of the Spanish troops in El Morro castle. The land battle left 60 Dutch soldiers dead and Enrico with
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#17328595615756014-402: The district of Santurce , served as the main training camp for the Puerto Rican soldiers prior to World War I and World War II; the majority of the men trained in this facility were assigned to the "Porto Rico Regiment of Infantry" which was renamed the 65th Infantry Regiment of the United States Army by the Reorganization Act of June 4, 1920. The 65th Infantry was deactivated in 1956 and became
6111-445: The downtown area and administrative center of Trujillo Alto Pueblo . Trujillo Alto was officially founded in 1801, but gained more importance during the 20th century. Due to its proximity to the capital, San Juan , the city has become a suburb of the metropolitan area, which has sparked its growth during recent years. The population of Trujillo Alto has increased through the last century from 9,576 (1930) to 74,482 (2010). According to
6208-461: The economy of the city. Trujillo Alto is the site of several factories of nutritional products, wood, metal, electrical machinery, and others. There are also stone quarries in town for the production of building materials. As of 2013, Trujillo Alto's unemployment was 10.2%, making it the second municipality with the lowest rate after Guaynabo . Trujillo Alto celebrates its patron saint festival in September. The Fiestas Patronales de Santa Cruz
6305-409: The entrance to the city at the PR-181 , features the remodeled historic steel bridge (one of the first permanent crossings of the Grande de Loiza River ) as well as a gazebo . It was built in 2001 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of Trujillo Alto. Also on the PR-181 , is the Luis Muñoz Marín Foundation which was established in 1980. It includes a museum, a historic archive, and
6402-404: The era. San Juan, as a settlement of the Spanish Empire , was used by merchant and military ships traveling from Spain as the first stopover in the Americas . Because of its prominence in the Caribbean, a network of fortifications was built to protect the transports of gold and silver from the New World to Europe. Because of the rich cargoes, San Juan became a target of the foreign powers of
6499-410: The existing settlements east and south of Old San Juan. Together with Puerta de Tierra , Old San Juan comprises the barrio of San Juan Antiguo . With the annexation of Río Piedras in 1951, the municipality of San Juan grew to four times its previous size. As a result, the municipality also went from 2 to 18 barrios (barrios), 16 of which fall within the former municipality of Río Piedras . Eight of
6596-401: The first Puerto Rican pilot, became the first native Puerto Rican to fly an aircraft in the island when he flew his Curtiss JN-4 from Las Casas. At the time, the area was used by the military as an air base and it was also Puerto Rico's first commercial airport, and Rigau Carrera was allowed to perform his historic flight from the airfield. Camp Las Casas was eventually closed down, and in 1950
6693-439: The first attack against the Americans in Puerto Rico during the Spanish–American War . For his actions, Captain Rivero-Méndez was awarded the "Cruz de la Orden de Mérito Militar" (The Cross of the Order of the Military Merit) first class. The residents of San Juan were furious with Rivero and blamed him for the destruction caused to their city by the American bombardments. Nothing came of those accusations and Capt. Rivero-Méndez
6790-411: The highly urbanized municipalities of Guaynabo , Trujillo Alto and Carolina . These municipalities, together with Bayamón and Cataño , form what is locally referred to as the Área Metro , the core of the wider San Juan metropolitan area. In total 41 municipalities are included in the entire metropolitan area extends throughout the island's northern coast and central eastern regions. San Juan has
6887-409: The island's first Civil Defense system under the directorship of Colonel Gilberto José Marxuach (Teófilo's son). Rincón de Gautier served as mayor until January 2, 1969. On October 30, 1950, San Juan was the scene of the San Juan Uprising , one of many uprisings which occurred in various towns and cities in Puerto Rico, by the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party against the governments of Puerto Rico and
6984-536: The islet due to its shore being protected from the strong Atlantic Ocean waves by reefs that serve as natural breakwaters . From east to west, the beaches in Santurce include Ocean Park Beach (also known as Último Trolley Beach), Condado Beach and Playita del Condado . Ocean Park Beach and El Condado Beach are the largest in the city and they host a large number of hotels and businesses that cater to tourists and beachgoers. As with other beaches across Puerto Rico and
7081-511: The latter built between 1635 and 1641 by Spanish Captain General Íñigo de la Mota Sarmiento. The architecture is more varied in other districts of the city, and the different Spanish , American and Puerto Rican construction styles that reflect the historic architecture trends are most evident in the districts of Puerta de Tierra , Santurce , Hato Rey and downtown Río Piedras , with Gothic , Baroque , Art Deco , and Mid-Century Modern being
7178-477: The mid-18th century and it is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Another historic district currently under revitalization is the San Juan Waterworks historic district which contains the Old Piedras River Aqueduct. There are plans to revitalize the old aqueduct structures and its surroundings to create a historic park open to visitors and researchers. Some of the recreational parks of
7275-451: The most notable of these the battles of Yauco and Asomante . All military actions in Puerto Rico were suspended August 13, 1898, after President William McKinley and French Ambassador Jules Cambon , acting on behalf of the Spanish government, signed an armistice . Spain ceded the island to the United States later the same year by signing the Treaty of Paris . Camp Las Casas , located in
7372-801: The most popular styles. Many of the buildings that best exemplify these architectural trends in San Juan are also inscribed in the United States National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), such as the Nuestra Señora de Lourdes Chapel ( Gothic Revival , 1907), the Antiguo Casino de Puerto Rico ( Beaux-Arts , 1917), the Normandie Hotel ( Art Deco , 1942), and the Puerto Rico Supreme Court Building ( Modern , 1955). The University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus
7469-633: The municipality include Bahía Urbana , a waterfront park located in Old San Juan and Puerta de Tierra by the San Juan Bay; the Paseo de Puerta de Tierra , a recreational walkway along the Atlantic Ocean cliffs of Puerta de Tierra that connects the Puerto Rico Capitol with El Escambrón Beach and Luis Muñoz Rivera Park. Ventana al Mar , Laguna del Condado Jaime Benítez Park, Parque del Indio are some of
7566-609: The nearby Fortín de San Gerónimo . The park used to host a small zoo, and currently hosts gazebos, gardens, restaurants and access to the beach. The park has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since November 14, 2007. The Polvorin de Miraflores is a historic district and park located next to the Puerto Rico Convention Center in Isla Grande , Santurce . The ammunition storage house dates to
7663-481: The oldest executive mansion in continuous use in the Americas. These historic sites were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Today, San Juan is Puerto Rico's most important seaport and is the island's financial, cultural, and tourism center . The population of the metropolitan statistical area , including San Juan and the municipalities of Bayamón , Guaynabo , Cataño , Canóvanas , Caguas , Toa Alta , Toa Baja , Carolina and Trujillo Alto ,
7760-525: The only unit ever to be transferred from an active Army component to the Puerto Rico National Guard . Lieutenant Teófilo Marxuach (retired as a Lieutenant Colonel), a native of Arroyo, Puerto Rico , fired what is considered to be the first shot of World War I fired by the regular armed forces of the United States against any ship flying the colors of the Central Powers . Marxuach, who was
7857-779: The parks located in El Condado district of Santurce. Dr. José Celso Barbosa Park is located in Ocean Park , also in Santurce. Parque Central , also known as the San Juan Municipal Central Park, is a large park and recreational complex located in southern Santurce near the mouth of the Puerto Nuevo River and the Martín Peña Channel . The Enrique Martí Coll Linear Park connects the Central Park to Hato Rey through
7954-519: The population for these intense episodes by both local authorities and the EPA . Hurricane Maria made landfall in southeastern Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017. Gusts of up to 113 mph (182 km/h) were reported in the capital city shortly before landfall in the municipality of Yabucoa . The municipality of San Juan experienced widespread flooding in most coastal areas, and roofs were blown off from numerous structures. The neighborhood of La Perla
8051-530: The public. All beaches of San Juan face the Atlantic Ocean. The Islet of San Juan hosts Los Cables Beach and La Perla Beach next to the Old San Juan district of La Perla , the Capitolio Beach located immediately north of the Puerto Rico Capitol, Puerta de Tierra Beach along the Paseo de Puerta de Tierra , and El Escambrón Beach at the northeastern edge of the islet. The latter is the most popular beach in
8148-433: The region have been destroyed and lost throughout the colonial history. The area of San Juan used to be the boundary between the tribal regions (yucayeques) of Guaynabo and Haimanio , led by the chiefs ( caciques ) Mabo and Yuisa (also known as Loaíza), respectively, at the time of the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors . In 1508, Juan Ponce de León founded the original settlement which he called Caparra . It
8245-776: The rural section of the city, while the downtown area (Trujillo Alto Pueblo) is small, consisting only of eight primary streets. This gave the city the nickname of the "City of the Eight Streets". Also, there are no high-rise buildings and structures. Barrios (which are, in contemporary times, roughly comparable to minor civil divisions ) and subbarrios, are further subdivided into smaller areas called sectores ( sectors in English). The types of sectores may vary, from normally sector to urbanización to reparto to barriada to residencial , among others. Comunidades Especiales de Puerto Rico (Special Communities of Puerto Rico) are marginalized communities whose citizens are experiencing
8342-435: The shield, there's a silver field with three green mountains and a blue Latin cross above them. The flag features a white banner below the shield with the name of the city, and a coronet in the form of a five-tower mural crown alluding to the Spanish crown . The banner and the coronet aren't featured in the flag. Trujillo Alto is known by various names. It is known as the " City of Springs " for its many rivers and creeks. It
8439-576: The time. San Juan underwent attacks from the English led by Sir Francis Drake in 1595 (in what is known as the Battle of Puerto Rico ) and by George Clifford, Earl of Cumberland , in 1598. Artillery from San Juan's fort, El Morro , repelled Drake; however, Clifford managed to land troops and lay siege to the city. After a few months of English occupation, Clifford was forced to abandon the siege when his troops began to suffer from exhaustion and sickness. In 1625
8536-402: The town improved with the construction of two bridges: one into Río Piedras , and the other into Río Grande . In 1844, Trujillo Alto was composed of only five barrios. A few years later, the first school was built. During that time, its population decreased notably due to an epidemic of cholera . In 1898, when Puerto Rico was ceded by Spain, it became a territory of the United States. In 1899,
8633-540: The town of Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands . The local Catholic diocese , the second oldest in the Americas and the oldest in the United States, was founded in the newly built settlement on August 8 of 1511. In 1521, the newer settlement was given its formal name: Ciudad de Puerto Rico de San Juan Bautista . Many of the oldest European-founded institutions in the Western Hemisphere, such as
8730-526: The tropical environment, these dust storms have recently become hazardous to human health causing haze and overheating in urban areas of the island. Due to San Juan's relatively flat geography, the dust often settles in these flat coastal regions of Puerto Rico as its flow is blocked by the higher altitude Cordillera Central to the south, causing intense episodes of haze to settle for long periods of time, especially during periods of more scarce rainfall. Recent advancements include early warning systems to prepare
8827-540: Was José Luis Cruz Cruz (from the Popular Democratic Party ), who was elected in the 2004 general election . The city belongs to the Puerto Rico Senatorial district VIII , which is represented by two Senators. In 2012, Pedro A. Rodríguez and Luis Daniel Rivera were elected as District Senators. Representatives Javier Aponte Dalmau (District 38) and Roberto Rivera Ruiz (District 39), both from
8924-421: Was a requisite to officially found a town. Despite some opposition, Trujillo Alto was founded on January 8, 1801, under the name of Municipio La Santa Cruz de Trujillo . The town was settled on a meander of the Río Grande de Loíza . Around 1820, the name Trujillo Alto was used to differentiate the town from that of Trujillo Bajo (which later became known as Carolina ). In 1826, communication to and from
9021-486: Was close to the pre-Maria era. San Juan today remains an important cultural, financial and industrial center not only of Puerto Rico but of the Caribbean region. As the biggest industrial center of Puerto Rico, it is the home of industries such as tobacco processors, breweries, refining facilities for petroleum and sugar, and distillers of rum as well as manufacturers of metal products, cement, pharmaceuticals, and clothing. The Puerto Rico Convention Center , opened in 2005,
9118-511: Was largely destroyed. In the wider metropolitan area, flooding from Lake La Plata produced flash floods that trapped residents of Toa Baja , and in Cataño the Juana Matos neighborhood was estimated to be 80% destroyed. At least eight people died from the flooding, while many were unaccounted for. See or edit raw graph data . San Juan is home to numerous beaches , all of which are open to
9215-558: Was named after a former Roman city in the province of Cáceres in Spain, the birthplace of Nicolás de Ovando , then the Governor of Spain's Caribbean territories. Today, it is part of the Pueblo Viejo district of Guaynabo , directly to the west of the modern municipality of San Juan. A year later, the settlement was moved to a site then called Puerto Rico , Spanish for "rich port" or "good port", after its similar geographical features to
9312-547: Was ordered to turn over the keys of all the military installations in San Juan to Captain Henry A. Reed of the U.S. Army after the Treaty of Paris of 1898 was signed. On July 25, General Nelson A. Miles landed at Guánica (in southwestern Puerto Rico) with 3,300 soldiers in what was known as the Puerto Rican Campaign . The American troops found some resistance and engaged the Spanish and Puerto Rican troops in battle,
9409-405: Was shortened to 3.1 miles (5 kilometers). In 2010, the marathon was recognized as one of the best organized events of the year. The Loíza Lake is also a frequent spot for sports and recreational fishing . The lake features a wide variety of fishes like: largemouth bass , peacock bass , sea chubs , tilapia , and beardfish . The macabeo is the most known typical food of Trujillo Alto. It
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