Ciales barrio-pueblo Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Ciales barrio-pueblo Pueblo de Ciales
Municipality Seat
Ciales Police Car
Location of Ciales barrio-pueblo within the municipality of Ciales shown in red
Ciales barrio-pueblo Location in Caribbean
Commonwealth	Puerto Rico
Municipality	Ciales
Area
• Total	0.11 sq mi (0.3 km²)
• Land	0.11 sq mi (0.3 km²)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km²)
Elevation	302 ft (92 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	1,009
• Density	9,172.7/sq mi (3,541.6/km²)
	Source: 2010 Census
Time zone	UTC−4 (AST)

Ciales barrio-pueblo is a special part of Ciales. It is the main town center, also known as the "seat" of the municipality. Think of it as the heart of the town. In 2010, about 1,009 people lived here.

In Puerto Rico, like in Spain, each municipality has a special area called a pueblo. This area usually has a main town square, important government buildings like the city hall, and a Catholic church. Every year, fun festivals called Fiestas patronales are held in the main square. These festivals celebrate the town's patron saint.

The Main Town Square and Its Church
A Look at History
Local Areas: Sectors
Gallery
See also

The Main Town Square and Its Church

The main town square, or plaza, is a lively place. People gather here for fun events and to socialize. It's a place where friends and families can meet from morning until night.

Long ago, in the early 1800s, Spanish laws called the Laws of the Indies guided life in Puerto Rico. These laws said that the plaza should be big enough for celebrations. They also said that streets nearby should have comfortable walkways. These walkways would protect people from the sun and rain.

Right across the main plaza, on Calle Betances, you'll find the Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Rosario. This is a Roman Catholic church. The first church here was made of wood in 1820. A stronger church, built with stone walls, was finished in 1895. However, it was taken down in 1959. The church you see today opened in 1963.

San Juan Nepomuceno is the special patron saint of Ciales. The town celebrates its patron saint festival in October. This festival is called the Fiestas Patronales de Nuestra Señora del Rosario y San Jose. It's a mix of religious and cultural fun. You can usually see parades, play games, and buy things from local artists. There are also amusement rides, delicious local food, and live music.

A Look at History

After the Spanish–American War, Spain gave Puerto Rico to the United States. This happened under the Treaty of Paris of 1898. Puerto Rico then became an "unincorporated territory" of the U.S.

In 1899, the United States Department of War counted the people in Puerto Rico. They found that 1,356 people lived in Ciales barrio-pueblo. The population has changed over the years, as you can see below.

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1900	1,356	—
1910	1,683	24.1%
1920	2,238	33.0%
1930	1,780	−20.5%
1940	1,919	7.8%
1950	3,482	81.4%
1980	1,428	—
1990	1,360	−4.8%
2000	1,211	−11.0%
2010	1,009	−16.7%
U.S. Decennial Census 1899 (shown as 1900) 1910-1930 1930-1950 1980-2000 2010

Local Areas: Sectors

Barrios are like big neighborhoods. They are often divided into smaller local areas. These smaller areas are called sectores (which means sectors in English).

Sectors can have different names. Some are simply called sector. Others might be called urbanización, reparto, barriada, or residencial. Each name describes a different type of community.

Here are some of the sectors you can find in Ciales barrio-pueblo: