Lajas barrio-pueblo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lajas barrio-pueblo Pueblo de Lajas
Municipality Seat
Plaza in Lajas barrio-pueblo in 2009
Location of Lajas barrio-pueblo within the municipality of Lajas shown in red
Lajas barrio-pueblo Location in Caribbean
Commonwealth	Puerto Rico
Municipality	Lajas
Area
• Total	0.06 sq mi (0.2 km2)
• Land	0.06 sq mi (0.2 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	151 ft (46 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	564
• Density	9,400/sq mi (3,600/km2)
	Source: 2010 Census
Time zone	UTC−4 (AST)

Lajas barrio-pueblo is a special part of Lajas, a town in Puerto Rico. It's like the main downtown area or the "heart" of the municipality. This area is where the local government offices are located. In 2010, about 564 people lived here.

In Puerto Rico, just like in Spain, many towns have a central area called a pueblo. This pueblo usually has a main square, also known as a plaza. You'll also find the town hall and a Catholic church there. Every year, special festivals called Fiestas patronales (which means "patron saint festivals") are held in this central plaza.

The Heart of Lajas: Plaza and Church

The main plaza, or town square, is a very important place in Lajas barrio-pueblo. It's where people gather for fun events, celebrations, and just to hang out. It's a lively spot from morning until night.

Long ago, in the early 1800s, Spanish laws called the Laws of the Indies guided how towns in Puerto Rico were built. These laws said that the plaza should be a good size for "the parties" (meaning celebrations and festivities). They also said it should be big enough for all the people living nearby. These old Spanish rules also suggested that streets around the plaza should have covered walkways. These walkways would protect people from the sun and rain.

Right across from the main plaza in Lajas barrio-pueblo, you'll find a Roman Catholic church. It's called the Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria.

A Glimpse into Lajas' Past

Puerto Rico became a territory of the United States after the Spanish–American War. This happened because of the Treaty of Paris of 1898. In 1899, the United States government counted the people in Puerto Rico. They found that 1,385 people lived in Lajas Pueblo at that time.

Here's how the population of Lajas Pueblo has changed over the years:

See also

• List of communities in Puerto Rico
• 
• In Spanish: Lajas Pueblo (Lajas) para niños