Rincón, Puerto Rico facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rincón Municipio Autónomo de Rincón
Town and Municipality
Sunset at Maria's Beach in Rincón
Flag
Nicknames:  "El Pueblo de los Bellos Atardeceres", "Pueblo del Surfing"
Anthem: "Rincón es mi pueblo querido"
Map of Puerto Rico highlighting Rincón Municipality
Commonwealth	Puerto Rico
Founded	1771
Barrios	10 barrios Atalaya Barrero Calvache Cruces Ensenada Jagüey Pueblo Puntas Rincón barrio-pueblo Río Grande
Area
• Total	29.4 sq mi (76.12 km2)
• Land	13.9 sq mi (36 km2)
• Water	15.5 sq mi (40.12 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	15,187
• Density	516.6/sq mi (199.514/km2)
Demonym(s)	Rincoeños
Time zone	UTC-4 (AST)
ZIP Code	00677
Area code(s)	787/939
Major routes

Rincón is a popular beach town and municipality of Puerto Rico founded in 1771 by Don Luis de Añasco, who previously founded Añasco in 1733. It is located in the Western Coastal Valley, west of Añasco and Aguada. Rincón is spread over 9 barrios and Rincón Pueblo (the downtown area and the administrative center of the city). It is part of the Aguadilla-Isabela-San Sebastián Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The municipality is home to many of the surfing beaches in Puerto Rico, including Domes, Marias, Tres Palmas, Sandy Beach, Pools Beach, Córcega Beach and Rincón Town Beach. The word "Rincón" means "nook" in Castilian Spanish. Rincón is in the north, on the westernmost tip of Puerto Rico.

Geography

• Gorges: Caflo García, Grande de Calvache (longest), Los Ramos, Piletas, Punta Ensenada.
• River: Río Grande

Tourism

Landmarks and places of interest

• Domes Beach
• María's Beach
• Steps Beach
• Balneario de Rincón
• Lighthouse
• Bonus Nuclear Plant
• Tres Palmas Coral Reef Reserve
• Surf Town
• The Spanish Wall
• Rincon Skate Park (indoor SK8 street course)
• Tamboo Beside the Pointe
• Culo Prieto (Popular farm)

Culture

Surfing

Rincon is well known as a surfing destination. Rincón rose to international recognition through the 1968 World Surfing Championship, which was held at Domes and Maria's Beaches. The winter surf along Rincón's coast is some of the best in the region. Generally regarded as one of the best surf spots across the globe, Rincón draws surfers from around the world and is the center of the island's surf scene. Dubbed the "Caribbean's Hawaii," winter waves here can approach 25–30 feet (6.7m) in height, sometimes equaling the force of the surf on Oahu's north shore. Famed surfing beaches in town include Little Malibu, Tres Palmas, Maria's, Indicators, Domes, Pools, Sandy Beach and Antonio's. The best time to surf is from November through March, but summer storms can also kick up the surf during the late summer.

Festivals and events

• Whale Festival - March
• Rincón International Film Festival 2011: April 12–16
• Coconut Festival - May
• Feast of the Patron Saint, Santa Rosa de Lima - August
• Triatlon and Triatlon Caribbean Cup
• Numerous Surfing Championships
• Local Band (Reggae and Latin Rock)

Symbols

Flag

Created and designed by Evaristo Cardona Moreno and art performed by Jose Luis Cardona Martinez (his eldest son). The central white star represents the urban zone. The surrounding nine stars represent the nine wards of the municipality. The red and orange colors symbolize the vigor and the vitality of the city. The yellow represents Christianity. The green represents vegetation and the hope of the progress of the municipality. Finally, the white represents purity and the unity between the wards and the urban zone.

Coat of arms

Created and designed by Mr. Angel L. Cardona Moreno.The shield consists of a green and orange Spanish blazon, with a yellow band inclined left to right. To the right and on a green background a cross, symbol of Christendom. To the left and on an orange background a Spanish ship, symbol of the discovery of Puerto Rico, in the coasts of Rincón (this is greatly disputed, as the towns of Aguada, Rincón, and Añasco all claim entry-point status).

Economy

Punta Higüeras Lighthouse

The 1968 World Surfing Championship was held at Domes Beach in Rincón. Since then, surfers from around the world have been visiting Rincón.

Rincón has a tourism economy which also boasts scuba diving, snorkeling, and sunsets. Rincón has also been an area for internet-based companies to set up shop.

In 2007, Rincón was the site for the ISA World Masters where local surfer Juan Ashton won first place in the Masters division.

Agriculture

Fruits and sugarcane are the primary sources of agriculture in Rincón. Cattle ranching also is popular.

Industry

Casa Isleña Inn in Rincón

The major industry of Rincón is tourism.

The Boiling Nuclear Superheater (BONUS) Reactor Facility, also known to the locals as "the Domes", is a decommissioned nuclear plant. The construction of BONUS started in 1960, and the reactor had its first controlled nuclear chain reaction on April 13, 1964, achieving full power operation in September 1965. Operation of the BONUS reactor was terminated in June 1968 because of technical difficulties and the ensuing need for high-cost modifications. General decontamination of the reactor was performed with the goal of meeting unrestricted use criteria in all accessible areas of the building. Residual radioactive materials remaining in the structure were isolated or shielded to protect site visitors and workers. During subsequent years, more radioactive contamination was identified in portions of the building, and additional clean-up and shielding activities were conducted in the 1990s and early 2000s. It was Puerto Rico's only nuclear reactor.

Demographics

Transportation

There are 8 bridges in Rincón.

Notable people

• Kiara Ortega – Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2018

Images for kids

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  Home in Rincón destroyed by Hurricane Maria

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  Hurricane Maria relief efforts in Rincón on October 15, 2017

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  Mar Azul Surf Shop in Rincón

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  House on water

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  Steps Beach

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  Domes Beach

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  Flamboyan

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  Sunset

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  South of Rincón

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  Rainbow over hills

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  Sunset

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  Beach