Naguabo

The municipality of Naguabo is located on the coastal plain, facing the Caribbean Sea, in Puerto Rico. It borders to the north with Río Grande, to the northwest with Ceiba, to the southeast with the Caribbean Sea, to the south with Humacao and to the west with Las Piedras. Naguabo is known as "El Pueblo de los Enchumbaos", it was founded on July 15, 1821. The Parish was founded in 1823. Over the years it underwent several changes in its urban structure, until it was definitively formed in 1948. The name of Naguabo originated from that of the chief and chiefdom previously called Daguao. This entire territory was heavily populated by Tainos and when the discovery took place, the Caribs were already arriving in this region.

General information

• Area: 135 square kilometres (52 square miles).
• Population: 26,720 inhabitants (cense 2010)
• Population Density: 167.6 inhabitants/square kilometers.
• Gentile: Naguabeñas/Naguabeños; Plugs/Enchumba'os
• Barrios: It is divided into 10 districts: Daguao, Duque, Húcares, Maizales, Mariana, Naguabo Pueblo, Peña Pobre, Río, Río Blanco, and Santiago and Lima.
• Patron: Our Lady of the Rosary.
• Mayor: Miraidaliz Rosario Pagán

History

Some scholars maintain that the name Naguabo comes from the chiefdom that occupied the eastern region, from Humacao to Fajardo, known as Daguao and led by chief Yukibo. By the mid-1490s the Caribs were moving through this area from other parts of the Caribbean. By 1511, after the Taíno rebellion, the conquistador Juan Ponce de León built a strong house in the Daguao area that was finally abandoned.

In 1513, Viceroy Diego Columbus ordered the founding of a town at the mouth of the Daguao River, under the name of Santiago de Daguao. The purpose of said town was to serve as an outpost against indigenous attacks. A year after its foundation, King Fernando El Católico ordered that the area be abandoned. Then, The settlers tried again to populate the territory of Naguabo, this time to raise cattle, but the Caribs attacked the area, killing the settler Cristóbal de Guzmán and seizing his cattle, in addition to destroying his hacienda.

This region, being sparsely populated, was used for smuggling with the Dutch, French and English who had established themselves in other parts of the Caribbean. To prevent this illicit trade from continuing, the Spanish government encouraged the founding of towns in the east of the island. At the same time, the Sierra de Luquillo was a refuge for the indigenous people until well into the XVI century and the area was attacked by the Hurricanes.

In 1794, Naguabo was founded as a town, in what is currently known as the Old Town. By 1821, the town is founded officially for the second time. A few years later, the neighbors asked the government for permission to move the population to a flatter place, which was granted. Of this old establishment today there remain some masonry constructions from the first half of the XIX century, the cemetery hermitage, some pantheons and the church, inaugurated in 1856. A year after its founding, Naguabo witnessed an attempted revolt in Daguao, to establish the Boricua Republic. It is said that this idea came from abroad through Pedro Bignet and Pedro Dubois. Dubois was an emissary of Simón Bolívar and a French citizen, who resided in Naguabo. Bignet and Dubois, with the support of others, managed to get the slaves in the area to revolt. This uprising was put down by the Spanish authorities. Despite all the setbacks, in 1828, Naguabo already had a population of 3,078 inhabitants, which included some 378 slaves. Tomás de Córdova maintains that at that time the town was part of the town of Humacao.

At the height of 1878, according to the chronicler Manuel de Ubeda y Delgado, the town of Naguabo was made up of the neighborhoods: Daguao, Duque, Húcares, Maizales, Mariana, Naguabo Pueblo, Peña Pobre, Quebrada Palma, Río, Río Blanco, Santiago and Lima. At the end of the 19th century, the Quebrada Palma neighborhood disappeared, and Río Blanco was divided into Río Blanco Abajo and Río Blanco Arriba, although it was later reunited. During the 20th century, other changes occurred, including the expansion of the urban area with parts of the Maizales, Húcares and Río neighborhoods.

During its first years, Naguabo's economy consisted of mining and sugar cane cultivation. The town also depended on livestock and the production of minor fruits. By 1828, agricultural production was estimated at about 1,400 quintals of sugar (from 21 existing mills), rum made in five stills, and coffee ready for export. Mining exploitation was active until the end of the 19th century.

In 1885, Naguabo suffered a terrible epidemic of morbid cholera, by 1894 the La Sierra sugar mill began operating, followed by others in 1901 and 1917. By 1910 the first aqueduct was inaugurated, in 1914 the electrical service and in In 1917 the first school and the mayor's office were built, despite the fact that in 1912 there was a devastating fire.

Topography

The entire northern part of the Río Blanco neighborhood is included within the Sierra de Luquillo. Between the limits of said neighborhood and the Río Abajo de Ceiba are two of the largest peaks of the Sierra de Luquillo, the Eastern and Western peaks, respectively, 1051 and 1020 meters (3,448 and 3,340 feet) high above the level of the sea. Also in Río Blanco, but to the west, is Cerro La Mina, which reaches a height of 920 meters (3,018 feet). The rest of the territory of this municipality is flat.

Hydrography

It is irrigated by the Daguao, Santiago and Blanco (Naguabo) rivers. The latter, the largest of its bodies of water, begins in the Río Blanco neighborhood and runs approximately 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) until it empties into the Caribbean Sea through the town of Naguabo. Its tributaries are the Cubuy River, to which the Sabana, Icacos and Prieto Rivers contribute its waters; and the Peña Pobre, Senatora, Vaca and Maizales streams.

Economy and Natural Resources

The economy previously based on the cultivation of sugar cane and livestock, has currently expanded to fruit trees, manufacturing of measuring instruments, magnetic plastics, printed circuits, emergency lights, clothing manufacturing and food. Livestock farming and fishing also contribute to improving the quality of life. The Caribbean National Forest (Sierra de Luquillo) occupies part of the territory of this municipality. At the mouth of the Daguao River and in Algodones Bay there is a mangrove forest that covers just under 300 hectares, in Punta Línea there is also a small mangrove. The harvest of minor fruits covers a large part of agricultural activity. As for minerals, they are small stocks of copper, gold (which appears associated with other mimerals), and small bodies of iron.

Mayors and Education

Education is divided into levels, like the United States education system. The Elementary level is made up of grades from kindergarten to sixth grade. The Second Unit level is made up of grades from kindergarten to ninth grade. The Intermediate level is made up of grades from seventh to ninth grade. The Higher level is made up of grades from tenth to twelfth grade. The All Levels level is made up of all grades from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The University level that grants the degrees of Associate Degree, Baccalaureate, Master's Degree and Doctorate. At the non-university Post-Graduate level are institutions created with the purpose of offering primary, secondary or vocational education to people who have not been able to graduate.

Places of Interest

• Cayo Algodones
• Yudelmi Centre
• Monument to Ramon Rivero "Diplo"
• Playa de Naguabo
• Playa Punta Lima
• Malecón de Naguabo

Events

• The Marathon Cervecero - January
• Pedro Flores Week - March
• Chapin Festival - June
• Festival de Diplo - June
• Festivals dedicated to the Virgen del Carmen - July
• Fiestas Patronales - October