Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aguas Buenas
Municipio Autónomo de Aguas Buenas
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Town and Municipality
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Town Hall of Aguas Buenas
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| Nicknames:
La Ciudad de las Aguas Claras,
Los Mulos, El Oasis de Puerto Rico, Los Ñocos |
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| Anthem: "Yo Soy Aguas Buenas" | |||
Map of Puerto Rico highlighting Aguas Buenas Municipality
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| Commonwealth |  Puerto Rico |
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| Founded | May 25, 1838 | ||
| Barrios | |||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 30.12 sq mi (78.01 km2) | ||
| • Land | 30.12 sq mi (78.00 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.004 sq mi (.01 km2) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 24,223 | ||
| • Density | 804.22/sq mi (310.511/km2) | ||
| Demonym(s) | Aguasbonenses | ||
| Time zone | UTC−4 (AST) | ||
| ZIP Code |
00703
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| Area code(s) | 787/939 | ||
| Major routes |    |
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| Website | http://legislaturaaguasbuenas.com/ | ||
Aguas Buenas,, popularly known as "La Ciudad de las Aguas Claras" or "The City of Clear Waters", is a town and municipality of Puerto Rico located in the Central Mountain Range, north of Cidra, south of Bayamón, Guaynabo and San Juan; east of Comerio; and north-west of Caguas. Aguas Buenas is spread over 9 barrios and Aguas Buenas Pueblo (the downtown area and the administrative center of the city). It is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Contents
History
Aguas Buenas was originally a sector of Caguas known as Aguabuena. In 1798, a group of residents started establishing their houses near some of the rivers in the area and started calling the sector Aguas Claras.
The quantity of residents incremented with time and on July 25, 1832, they organized a meeting and commissioned Francisco de Salas Torres and Ramón Díaz to do the necessary arrangements for the region to be declared a municipality. A resident, Julian López, offered part of his estate to be used for the construction of a town square, a church, the city hall, and the priest house.
The town was officially founded on May 25, 1838 and the name was changed to Aguas Buenas. Francisco de Salas Torres was declared the first mayor. Initially, the economy of the town relied on coffee plantations and commerce. At the end of the 19th century, the town's population was close to 7,000.
In 1906, mayor Don José E. Morales bought nearly six acres of terrain from Don Guillermo Díaz Delgado. In these lands, the sectors of La Pajilla, El Pueblito and El Guanábano were established, expanding the town's area.
Geography
The terrain is moderately mountainous located in the Cayey mountain range ("Sierra de Cayey"), part of the Cordillera Central in Puerto Rico. The highest peaks are La Peña, Santa Bárbara, La Tisa, and La Marquesa.
Water features
Several rivers flow through Aguas Buenas. Some of them are the Bayamón River, and several small rivers that are part of the Río Grande de Loíza, like Bairoa, Caguitas, and Cañas.
Cityscape
Aguas Buenas is divided into 10 barrios, including the downtown area:
- Aguas Buenas Pueblo
- Bairoa
- Bayamóncito
- Cagüitas
- Jagüeyes
- Juan Asencio
- Mulas
- Mulitas
- Sonadora
- Sumidero
Tourism
Some of the places of the landmarks and places of interest in Aguas Buenas are its town square. The Aguas Buenas Caves are also an important landmark, as well as the Palito and La Tiza mountains.
Culture
Sports
Aguas Buenas has an amateur baseball team called the Tigers.
Festivals and events
Several festivals and annual events are held in Aguas Buenas. The Salsa, Bomba & Plena Festival is held in the late summer, while the Fiestas Patronales are held in September 8. There's also an Agricultural Fest held in May and the "Festival Folklórico de Campo y Pueblo" in January. The annual Carnival is also held in March.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 7,977 | — | |
| 1910 | 8,292 | 3.9% | |
| 1920 | 10,741 | 29.5% | |
| 1930 | 12,885 | 20.0% | |
| 1940 | 14,671 | 13.9% | |
| 1950 | 15,565 | 6.1% | |
| 1960 | 17,034 | 9.4% | |
| 1970 | 18,600 | 9.2% | |
| 1980 | 22,429 | 20.6% | |
| 1990 | 25,424 | 13.4% | |
| 2000 | 29,032 | 14.2% | |
| 2010 | 28,659 | −1.3% | |
| 2020 | 24,223 | −15.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1899 (shown as 1900) 1910-1930 1930-1950 1960-2000 2010 2020 |
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| Total Population | 28,659 |
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| Population by Sex/Age | |
| Male | 14,047 |
| Female | 14,612 |
| Under 18 | 7,185 |
| 18 & over | 21,474 |
| 20-24 | 1,962 |
| 25-34 | 3,953 |
| 35-49 | 5,572 |
| 50-64 | 5,352 |
| 65 & over | 3,787 |
| Population by Ethnicity | |
| Hispanic or Latino | 28,513 |
| Non Hispanic or Latino | 146 |
| Population by Race | |
| White | 20,770 |
| African American | 3,604 |
| Asian | 25 |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 178 |
| Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander | 5 |
| Other | 2,781 |
| Identified by two or more | 1,296 |
According to the 2020 census, Aguas Buenas has a population of 24,223. This represents a decline of 15.5% or over 4,000 inhabitants in comparison to the 2010 census.
According to the 2010 Census, 72.5% of the population identifies themselves as White, and 12.6% as African-American. Also, according to the census, the population is equally divided by gender (49% are males, while 51% are females). Finally, 25% of the population is under 18 years old. The next biggest percentage of population (19.4%) is between 35 and 49 years old.
Symbols
Flag
The flag of Aguas Buenas features a blue triangle with the base at the hoist. The triangle has a solitary white star, like the national banner. A second triangle appears interposed with the first one, in yellow, with its point reaching the other end of the flag. The main field of the flag, under both triangles, is color green.
Coat of Arms
The coat of arms features a four-paneled shield. The upper left panel shows the Virgin of Monserrate, while the upper right panel features a Taíno, a symbol of the original inhabitants of this region. At the bottom right panel, lies a cornucopia containing the native fruit of Aguas Buenas. This panel represents how the agriculture was the primary source of income for the town. In the lower left panel, there are four maracas and a güicharo, typical instruments of the "jibaros" of Aguas Buenas and Puerto Rico. The crown, as with other municipalities of Puerto Rico, consists of three towers.
Transportation
To reach the town of Aguas Buenas, visitors must take the Puerto Rico Highway 52 to the city of Caguas. From there, PR-156 leads directly into the downtown square. Other minor roads lead to nearby towns such as Comerío.
There are 13 bridges in Aguas Buenas.
Anthem
By Ramón Cintrón
Aguas claras Alma limpia del Coquí, Orgullosos hijos tuyos, Por haber nacido aquí. Indio noble que en cueva nuestro pueblo verde vió.
La Cruz de España en tus venas, rítmico grito africano nuestra estirpe delineó.
Tus femeninas montañas, plenas de café en flor, cristalinas aguas bañan, como concierto de amor.
Cabeza de cordillera, rostro de nuestro país, el cuatro, triple le cantan, tierra fértil de abundancia, de frutos puros de aquí.
Gente clara, gente buena son tu corazón le aman, viva Aguas Buenas ¡Aguas Buenas para mí!
Notable people
- Victor Hernández Cruz – Poet
- Gustavo Muñoz Díaz – Dramatist
- Jacobo Córdova Chirino (1901–1955) – Journalist & Humorist
- José Arsenio Torres – Professor
- Luis Rechani Agrait (1902–1997) – Dramatist
- Pio Rechani – Journalist
- Rafael Nicolau – Journalist
- Josefa Pastrana Lopez (1899–1958) – Professor
- Joyce Giraud – Actress
Economy
After its foundation, the economy of Aguas Buenas relied mostly on coffee plantations.
Education
There are around 14 public schools in Aguas Buenas. As with all other municipalities, education is handled by the Puerto Rico Department of Education. These are divided as follows:
Elementary Schools
- Dr. Gustavo Muñoz Díaz
- Ezequiel Ramos La Santa
- Jagüeyes Abajo
- José R. González
- Luis Santaella
- Luis T. Baliñas
- Mulitas Alvelo
- Ramón Luis Rivera/Juan Asencio
- Santa Clara
Junior High Schools
- Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos
- Luis Muñoz Marín
- Su Bayamoncito
- Su Sumidero
High Schools
- Josefa Pastrana
Images for kids
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Subdivisions of Aguas Buenas.
See also
In Spanish: Aguas Buenas para niños
