Hato Rey Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Hato Rey
Central business district
RG Financial Corporation headquarters in Hato Rey.
Location of Hato Rey shown in yellow.
Commonwealth	Puerto Rico
Municipality	San Juan
Area
• Total	6.18 sq mi (16.01 km²)
• Land	5.38 sq mi (13.93 km²)
• Water	0.80 sq mi (2.07 km²)
Population (2000)
• Total	48,196
• Density	8,958.36/sq mi (3,458.84/km²)
	2000 census
ZIP Code	00917, 00919

Hato Rey is a lively area in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It used to be part of a different town called Río Piedras. Today, Hato Rey is divided into three parts: Hato Rey Norte, Hato Rey Central, and Hato Rey Sur.

Exploring Hato Rey's History and Vibe
Hato Rey's Economy and Major Buildings
- Key Businesses and Landmarks
Images for kids
See also

Exploring Hato Rey's History and Vibe

Hato Rey's name means "king's cattle farm." Back in the 1700s, cows roamed freely among the sugar cane fields here. It was a great spot to raise animals because it was close to towns like San Juan and Río Piedras. People living in those towns could easily get fresh food from Hato Rey.

From Farmland to City Life

In the 1800s, Hato Rey was also known as Las Monjas, which means "the nuns." This was because a convent, a home for nuns, was located in the area. Over time, Hato Rey changed from a quiet farm area to a busy part of the city.

The Golden Mile: A Financial Hub

The northern part of Hato Rey is home to a very important area called La Milla de Oro, or "The Golden Mile." Even though it's only about a mile long, it's where many big banks and businesses have their main offices. It's one of the most important places for the economy of Puerto Rico and the wider Caribbean region. Many modern apartment buildings are also found here.

Fun Places and Transportation

Hato Rey has many cool shops and restaurants, especially along Roosevelt Avenue. It's also home to the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum, a large arena where concerts and events happen. The Tren Urbano, San Juan's metro system, has made Hato Rey even more popular. It helps people get around and brings more businesses to the area. This metro system also helps reduce traffic jams.

You can find the main office for the Phi Sigma Alpha fraternity on Mexico Street. The Hato Rey Lions Club, a community service group started in 1955, is on Alhambra Street, right across from the Polytechnic University. Because of its central spot, many people driving to Old San Juan pass through Hato Rey.

Hato Rey's Economy and Major Buildings

Hato Rey is a very important place for business in Puerto Rico. Many major companies and organizations have their offices here.

Key Businesses and Landmarks

One of the most important buildings is the headquarters of Banco Popular. When it was built in 1965, it was the tallest building in Hato Rey. You'll also find Plaza Las Américas here, which is a very large shopping mall. The Roberto Clemente Coliseum, another big arena, is also located in Hato Rey.

The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) has its Puerto Rico headquarters in Hato Rey. Since the area is close to the airport, many big airlines, like Avianca, have offices here too. Even computer companies like Compaq used to have their Puerto Rico offices in Hato Rey.