Naranjito, Puerto Rico facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Naranjito Municipio de Naranjito
Town and Municipality
Jesús Izcoa Moure Bridge in Naranjito
Flag Coat of arms
Nicknames:  "La Ciudad de los Colores", "El Pueblo de los Changos"
Motto(s):  "Naranjito Brilla"
Anthem: Naranjito, mi hogar predilecto
Map of Puerto Rico highlighting Naranjito Municipality
Commonwealth	Puerto Rico
Founded	December 3, 1824
Founded by	Braulio Morales
Barrios	8 barrios Achiote Anones Nuevo Cedro Abajo Cedro Arriba Guadiana Lomas Naranjito barrio-pueblo
Area
• Total	28.4 sq mi (73.54 km2)
• Land	28.2 sq mi (73.0 km2)
• Water	0.2 sq mi (0.54 km2)
Elevation	2,997 ft (700 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	29,241
• Density	1,029.6/sq mi (397.62/km2)
Demonym(s)	Naranjiteños
Time zone	UTC−4 (AST)
ZIP Codes	00719
Area code(s)	787/939
Major routes

Naranjito is a town and municipality of Puerto Rico located in the central region of the island, south of Toa Alta; north of Barranquitas and Comerío; east of Corozal; and west of Bayamón. Naranjito is spread over 7 barrios and Naranjito Pueblo (the downtown area and the administrative center). It is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The struggle to form the Naranjito town began in 1810. After a series of major incidents with powerful political interests of the time, on December 3, 1824, Don Braulio Morales successfully founded the town of Naranjito. The town was founded in the neighborhood of the same name, on a land donated by Doña Manuela Rivera and Don Braulio Morales. Morales was named "Captain Settler" and at the same time was appointed mayor of the town in development. The name "Naranjito" is derived from a small orange tree that served as a reference point for travelers looking for in the shortest way to the town of Toa Alta. At the time of its foundation, Naranjito consisted of five wards/districts, "Lomas", "Guadiana", "Achiote", "Nuevo" and "Cedro". "Cedro" was divided in 1853 in "Cedro Arriba" and "Cedro Abajo", also having the urban zone composed by "San Miguel", "San Antonio" and "San Cristobal" districts.

Cityscape

Barrios

• Achiote
• Anones
• Guadiana
• Lomas
• Cedro Abajo
• Barrio Nuevo
• Pueblo
• Cedro Arriba

Tourism

Puente Atirantado Jesús Izcoa Moure.

Landmarks and places of interest

• Anones Park
• Cancha Gelito Ortega
• Cedro Abajo Falls (Las Lagrimas Falls)
• La Marina Boardwalk
• La Plata Lake
• Las Avispas Hills
• Municipal Swimming Pool
• Trovador Plaza
• Mirador de Anones
• Puente Atirantado Jesús Izcoa Moure
• El Cerro Community

Culture

Festivals and events

• Mothers Day - May
• San Antonio Day - June
• Chango Festival - June
• Anon Festival - June
• Volleyball Tournament - February - June
• San Miguel Arcangel Day - September
• Patron Festivities - September - October
• Turkey marathon - November

Sports

"Los Changos de Naranjito" are a professional male volleyball team based in Naranjito. The team is one of the most successful sport's franchises in Puerto Rico.

Symbols

Flag

Naranjito's flag consists of an orange flag crossed by two narrow green stripes close to the superior and inferior edges. The orange color in the flag symbolizes the town of Naranjito (little orange tree), while the green symbolizes its green mountains.

Coat of arms

The coat of arms is a red cross, the symbol of San Miguel de Arcángel, Patron of Naranjito. The globe with the cross symbolizes the power and sovereignty of God. The gold and red stripes that appear in the second and third quarters, constitute the primitive baton of the Guadiana lineage. The lily twigs are a tribute of San Antonio de Padua, confessor and doctor of the Church. The orange tree represents the small tree that gave the town's name, Naranjito. The crown is symbol of moral unit of the town.

Economy

Traditionally the main agricultural crops of Naranjito are coffee and the tobacco. In recent years have borne fruits such as bananas, oranges, papayas, and other tropical fruits; also in the town the poultry factory has been very popular, specifically the dairy cattle (fresh milk). Naranjito has many factories, most of these factories make garments (clothing).

Demographics

Education

Naranjito includes several public and private schools distributed through several regions. Public education is handled by the Puerto Rico Department of Education

Elementary schools

• Bernarda Robles De Hevia
• Don Manolo Rivera
• Felipa Sanchez Cruzado
• Jose Archilla Cabrera
• Josefina Marrero
• Francisco Roque Muñoz
• Rosa Luz Zayas
• Silvestre Martinez

Middle and junior high schools

• Coleen Vazquez Urrutia
• Mercedes Rosado
• S.U. Adolfo Garcia
• S.U. Fidel G Padilla
• S.U. Pedro Fernandez

High schools

• Francisco Morales
• Vocacional Rubén Rodríguez Figueroa

Private schools

• Academia Santa Teresita (K-12)

Transportation

There are 19 bridges in Naranjito.

Notable people

• , an important musicologist, musician, composer, and educator that dedicated his life to promote Puerto Rican Folk music.
• Yazaira Lopez, the winner of Va por Ti co-production of Univision and Televisa 2014
• Christian Nieves, an internationally known cuatro player
• Barbara Serrano, recognized writer and first runner-up of Miss World Puerto Rico 2001.

Images for kids

• 

  On October 11, the South Dakota National Guard was distributing potable water to thankful residents of Naranjito.

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  Electric power pole placement in Naranjito by the South Atlantic Division (SAD) USACE

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  Subdivisions of Naranjito

See also

In Spanish: Naranjito (Puerto Rico) para niños