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Corozal, Puerto Rico facts for kids

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Corozal

Municipio de Corozal
Downtown Corozal from Abras in Corozal
Downtown Corozal from Abras in Corozal
Flag of Corozal
Flag
Coat of arms of Corozal
Coat of arms
Nicknames: 
"La Capital del Voleibol", "Los Plataneros"
Anthem: "En Dios y Corozal todos unidos"
Map of Puerto Rico highlighting Corozal Municipality
Map of Puerto Rico highlighting Corozal Municipality
Commonwealth  Puerto Rico
Founded 1795
Barrios
Area
 • Total 42 sq mi (109 km2)
 • Land 42 sq mi (109 km2)
 • Water 0 sq mi (0 km2)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 34,571
 • Density 821/sq mi (317.2/km2)
Demonym(s) Corozaleños
Time zone UTC−4 (AST)
ZIP Code
00783
Area code(s) 787/939
Major routes PR secondary 142.svg PR secondary 159.svg PR secondary 164.svg Ellipse sign 568.svg

Corozal is a town and municipality of Puerto Rico located in the central-eastern region, north of Orocovis and Barranquitas; south of Vega Alta; southwest of Toa Alta; east of Morovis and Orocovis; and west of Naranjito. Corozal is spread over 12 barrios and Corozal Pueblo (the downtown area and the administrative center of the city). It is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The city name is derived from the "palma de corozo" (grugru palm, Acrocomia media) which abounds in the Cordillera Central zone of the Island.

History

Corozal's local Taino Indian Cacique (Chief) was named Orocobix and his tribe was known as the Jatibonicu Taino.

Corozal was founded in 1795 and officially became a town in 1804. Commonly known as La Cuna del Volibol or Volleyball's Crib. It takes its name from the "palma de corozo" (Acrocomia media). Its population as of the 2000 census was 36,867, and it has a land area of 110.3 km2 (43 sq mi).

Geography

  • Rivers are: Río Cibuco, Río Corozal, Río de los Negros and Río Grande de Manatí.
  • Jacinta Ravine.
  • Caverna de los Quintero.
Climate data for Corozal, Puerto Rico
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 88
(31)
90
(32)
95
(35)
97
(36)
98
(37)
98
(37)
99
(37)
98
(37)
98
(37)
98
(37)
93
(34)
91
(33)
99
(37)
Average high °F (°C) 78
(26)
80
(27)
83
(28)
84
(29)
87
(31)
88
(31)
88
(31)
88
(31)
88
(31)
87
(31)
82
(28)
79
(26)
84
(29)
Average low °F (°C) 60
(16)
60
(16)
61
(16)
65
(18)
68
(20)
70
(21)
72
(22)
72
(22)
72
(22)
70
(21)
66
(19)
62
(17)
67
(19)
Record low °F (°C) 43
(6)
45
(7)
45
(7)
55
(13)
58
(14)
60
(16)
64
(18)
67
(19)
64
(18)
60
(16)
50
(10)
48
(9)
43
(6)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.55
(90)
3.11
(79)
4.78
(121)
8.55
(217)
7.20
(183)
6.20
(157)
5.84
(148)
7.60
(193)
7.71
(196)
8.47
(215)
5.65
(144)
Source: The Weather Channel

Cityscape

Barrios

  • Abras
  • Cibuco
  • Corozal Pueblo
  • Cuchillas
  • Dos Bocas
  • Magueyes
  • Maná
  • Mavillas
  • Negros
  • Padilla
  • Palmarejo
  • Palmarito
  • Palos Blancos

Tourism

Corozal is home to the Historical Center of Cibuco, a park and museum with relics from the Puerto Rican natives (Tainos) as well as objects, paintings and artifacts from the town's history.

Local interest: El Balalaika is a cafeteria / liquor store which opened its doors around 1962 and hasn't been closed since, with the exceptions of Hurricane Hugo and the occasional political elections. It also serves as a Municipal Police Outpost.

Landmarks and places of interest

  • El Rancho Recreation Center

Culture

Festivals and events

  • Patron Festivities - January
  • Corozal Carnival - June
  • San Juan Bautista Carnival - June
  • Plantain Festival - September
  • Corozo Festival - October

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1900 11,508
1910 12,978 12.8%
1920 14,369 10.7%
1930 16,454 14.5%
1940 20,458 24.3%
1950 23,087 12.9%
1960 23,570 2.1%
1970 24,545 4.1%
1980 28,221 15.0%
1990 33,095 17.3%
2000 36,867 11.4%
2010 37,142 0.7%
2020 34,571 −6.9%
U.S. Decennial Census
1899 (shown as 1900) 1910-1930
1930-1950 1960-2000 2010 2020

Symbols

Flag

Consists of three horizontal stripes of equal width, yellow the top, green the middle and blue the bottom, and in some instances the middle stripe could have embroidered or printed the Coat Of Arms.

The flag is very similar to the provincial flag of Islas del Caró (I.D.C.) of neighbour country of El Conquistador except that the yellow stripe is half the size as the green and blue stripes much like the flag of Colombia except that the red stripe is replaced by the green one at the bottom. It is unknown whether the flag was made to coincide with the densely populated province of El Conquistador or was created by natural and neutral causes.

Coat of Arms

On a gold background three Corozo Palms, with clusters in their original color, planted on a green landscape and in front of a mountain range. At the bottom, blue and silver water waves sprinkled with gold nuggets. The three towercrown is gold with black stones. It also has another flag the colors are red and white the white star and the blue outline. The Corozo Palms represent the name of the town and its river,whose margins were populated with this palms. The mountains represent the high and striking Mountains of Corozal. The waves represent the Corozal River and gold nuggets, metal that until recently was panned in its rivera. The gold background represents the hard labor and alludes to the gold of Corozal, so appreciated long ago for its purity. The crown is an emblem used to designate the cities and towns.

Notable "Corozaleños"

  • Carmen E. Arroyo, first Puerto Rican woman elected to the New York State Assembly
  • Lunay, Reggaeton artist
  • Maria del Carmen Arroyo, member of the New York City Council
  • Aned Y. Muñiz Gracia, professor and writer
  • Viviana Ortiz Pastrana, fashion model and Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2011
  • Sixto Febus, Painter, poet, writer, teacher, philanthropist and restorer
  • Eddie Perez, politician served as mayor of Hartford, Connecticut from 2001 to 2010.

Economy

DelanoFSAPR
"Corozal, Puerto Rico (vicinity). In the home of a FSA (Farm Security Administration) borrower who raises some tobacco and a little sugar cane on his small farm between Corozal and Orocovis."- photo credit: Jack Delano, 1941.

Agriculture

One of Puerto Rico's major plaintain producers. New small businesses producing eggs and hydrophonic crops (lettuce, recao) are emerging.

Business

Crafts, services. Several manufacture enterprises have reduced or moved operations in recent years.

Sports

Volleyball

  • Male - Plataneros de Corozal (2008 national champions) (LVSM)
  • Female - Pinkin de Corozal (2008 national champions) (LVSF)

Swimming

The Gold Fish Swim Team for kids and youth and a new Master's Swim Team created in 2008 under the direction of Arlene Ortiz.

Education

Public high schools in Corozal include Escuela Superior Emilio R. Delgado and Escuela Superior Porfirio Cruz García High School in Barrio Cuchillas. The only private high school is Colegio Sagrada Familia in Barrio Pueblo.

Transportation

There are 26 bridges in Corozal. Mavilla Bridge in Corozal is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places:

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Corozal (Puerto Rico) para niños

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