Barranquitas, Puerto Rico
Barranquitas is a small mountain municipality located in the central region of Puerto Rico, south of Corozal and Naranjito; north of Coamo and Aibonito; west of Comerío and Cidra; and east of Orocovis. Barranquitas is spread over 6 wards and Barranquitas Pueblo. It is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Barranquitas is about one hour by winding roads from San Juan, the capital. It is nestled amid hills and mountains, and nearby, between Barranquitas and Aibonito, is located the "cañón de San Cristóbal" ; one of the deepest canyons in the Indies. For years, the overlook was used as a municipal garbage; in the last decade, the refuse was removed and the site restored.
History
Barranquitas's local Taino Indian Cacique was called Orocobix and his yucayeque or tribe was known as the Jatibonicu Taino.The town was founded in 1803 by Antonio Aponte Ramos.
Early in the 20th century, Barranquitas residents, known as Barranquiteños, had a short but legendary territory war with residents of the city of Comerío.
Hurricane Maria
on September 20, 2017 triggered numerous landslides in Barranquitas with the significant amount of rainfall. Many residents did not receive help for weeks after the hurricane made landfall as entry into the municipality was hampered by downed trees and telephone poles, and landslides.Geography
Barranquitas is a landlocked municipality in the middle of the Cordillera Central of Puerto Rico, which is the main mountain range that crosses the island from west to east. It is bordered by the municipalities of Corozal, Naranjito, Coamo, Aibonito, Orocovis, and Comerío. Barranquitas has a surface area of 34 square miles.The terrain is mostly mountainous. Some of the peaks found in the municipality are La Torrecilla and Farallón. Barranquitas is also the site of the San Cristóbal Canyon.
Water features
The following rivers pass through Barranquitas: Río de Barranquitas, Río Grande de Manatí, Piñonas, Río Hondo, and Río Usabón.There are 14 bridges in Barranquitas.
Barrios
Like all municipalities of Puerto Rico, Barranquitas is subdivided into barrios. The municipal buildings, central square and large Catholic church are located in a small barrio referred to as "el pueblo", near the center of the municipality.- Barrancas
- Barranquitas barrio-pueblo
- Cañabón
- Helechal
- Honduras
- Palo Hincado
- Quebrada Grande
- Quebradillas
Sectors
Special Communities
Of the 742 places on the list of Comunidades Especiales de Puerto Rico, the following barrios, communities, sectors, or neighborhoods are in Barranquitas: El Amparo neighborhood, Cañabón barrio, La Vega neighborhood, Calle Abajo, La Loma, La Torre, Los Pinos, Quebrada Grande barrio, and Tres Caminos.Energy consortium
An Energy Consortium was signed in late February, 2019 by Villalba, Orocovis, Morovis, Ciales and Barranquitas municipalities. The consortium is the first of its kind for the island. It is intended to have municipalities work together to safeguard and create resilient, and efficient energy networks, with backups for their communities.Tourism
Landmarks
Barranquitas is the burial place of two prominent Puerto Rican politicians, Luis Muñoz Rivera and his son, Governor Luis Muñoz Marín. This has made Barranquitas a popular tourist attraction among Puerto Ricans. The birthplace of Muñoz Rivera has been turned into a museum. The mausoleum of the Muñoz Rivera family is another place of interest. Among those buried are Muñoz Rivera and his son and daughter-in-law, Luis Muñoz Marín, and his second wife Inés Mendoza de Muñoz.Other known places of interest in Barranquitas are the San Cristóbal Canyon, and the ruins of Hacienda Margarita. El Cortijo Castle is an old, historical structure, which is currently a museum. Also, Camp Morton is a popular spot for activities and retirements.
Culture
Festivals and events
Barranquitas celebrates its patron saint festival in June. The Fiestas Patronales de San Antonio de Padua is a religious and cultural celebration that generally features parades, games, artisans, amusement rides, regional food, and live entertainment.Other festivals and events celebrated in Barranquitas include:
- Celeriac Festival or Festival del Apio – April/May
- National Crafts Fair of Barranquitas – July and has been celebrated for over 50 years
- Viva Mi Calle Festival – November
- Lighting of Christmas Tree – December
Sports
Economy
Agriculture
Some of the crops grown in Barranquitas are coffee, fruits, and vegetables. The main crop in Barranquitas is the Apio. The Apio is a root vegetable, and it is eaten like potatoes. Not to be confused with celeriac.Industry
Barranquitas manufacturers include footwear and clothing.Demographics
The United States took control of Puerto Rico from Spain in the aftermath of the Spanish-American War under the terms of the Treaty of Paris of 1898 and conducted its first census of Puerto Rico, finding that the population of Barranquitas was 8,103.Many of the Puerto Ricans born in the town are known to have light-colored eyes and have strong European features. Some also have an apparent mestizo look to them. The reason for this phenomenon is due to the migration of many Taino Indians during the Spanish colonization. Many Tainos fled to the mountainous region to escape slavery. Many poor Spanish and other European immigrants moved to this region as well and settled as coffee growers. Eventually, the Taino and European immigrants intermarried and created what is called the "mestizo".
Government
All municipalities in Puerto Rico are administered by a mayor, elected every four years. The current mayor of Barranquitas is Francisco López, of the New Progressive Party. He was elected at the 1996 general elections, and re-elected for the last 4 general elections.The city belongs to the Puerto Rico Senatorial district VI, which is represented by two Senators. In 2012, Miguel Pereira Castillo and Angel M. Rodríguez were elected as District Senators.
Education
All schools in Puerto Rico are administered by the Puerto Rico Department of Education. The schools located in Barranquitas are the following:Many of the schools in Barranquitas educate children on agriculture and cultivating crops.
| School | Level | Ward | Public | Location | Coords |
| Escuela La Torre | K-6 | Cañabón | Yes | Carr 770 km 2 Hm 1 Sector La Torre | |
| Escuela Cañabón Abajo | K-6 | Barrancas | Yes | Carr 172 | |
| Escuela Mana Abajo | K-6 | Barrancas | Yes | Carr 771 km 9 Hm 2 Sector Mana Abajo | |
| Escuela El Portón | K-6 | Honduras | Yes | Carr 156 km 17 Hm 7 Sector El Portón | |
| Escuela El Farallón | K-6 | Quebradillas | Yes | Carr 152 km 7 Hm 6 | |
| Escuela Sinforoso Aponte | K-6 | Quebradillas | Yes | Carr 152 km 7 Hm 6 | |
| Escuela Petroamérica Pagán | K-6 | Pueblo | Yes | Calle Muñoz Rivera #14 | |
| Escuela La Vega | K-6 | Pueblo | Yes | Carr 771 km 0 Hm 3 Bda La Vega | |
| Escuela S.U. Palo Hincado | K-9 | Palo Hincado | Yes | Carr 156 km 11 Hm 4 | |
| Escuela S.U. La Loma | K-9 | Quebrada Grande | Yes | Carr 156 km 20 Hm 1 | |
| Escuela S.U. Helechal | K-9 | Helechal | Yes | Carr 162 km 7 Hm 4 | |
| Escuela S.U. Lajitas | K-9 | Barrancas | Yes | Carr 771 km 5 Hm 4 | |
| Escuela Pedro Laboy | 7-9 | Quebradillas | Yes | Carr 152 km 6 Hm 5 | |
| Escuela José Berríos Berdecia | 7-9 | Pueblo | Yes | Calle Melitón Pereles | |
| Escuela Pablo Colón Berdecia | 10-12 | Pueblo | Yes | Calle Barcelo Final | |
| Escuela Luis Muñoz Marín | 10-12 | Quebradillas | Yes | Calle A Sector Nuevo | |
| San Francisco de Asís School | K-9 | Helechal | No | Carr 719 km 2 Hm 5 Sector Hoya Honda |