Toa Alta, Puerto Rico facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Toa Alta
Municipio Autónomo de Toa Alta
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Town and Municipality
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Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción y San Fernando
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| Nicknames:
La Ciudad del Toa,
Cuna de Poetas, Ciudad del Josco |
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| Anthem: "Cuna de historia y de grandes poetas" | |||
Map of Puerto Rico highlighting Toa Alta Municipality
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| Sovereign state |  United States |
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| Commonwealth |  Puerto Rico |
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| Settled | 1751 | ||
| Founded | January 12, 1796 | ||
| Barrios | |||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 27.44 sq mi (71.08 km2) | ||
| • Land | 27.37 sq mi (70.88 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.08 sq mi (0.20 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 236 ft (72 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 66,852 | ||
| • Rank | 11th in Puerto Rico | ||
| • Density | 2,435.93/sq mi (940.52/km2) | ||
| Demonym(s) | Toalteños | ||
| Time zone | UTC−4 (AST) | ||
| ZIP Codes |
00953, 00954
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| Area code(s) | 787/939 | ||
| Major routes |        |
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Toa Alta (pronounced toe-ah AHL-tah) is a town and a municipality in Puerto Rico. It is located on the northern coast of the island. Toa Alta is north of Naranjito, south of Dorado and Toa Baja, east of Vega Alta and Corozal, and west of Bayamón.
The town is part of the larger San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo metropolitan area. Toa Alta has nine main areas called barrios, including the downtown area known as Toa Alta Pueblo. In 2020, about 66,852 people lived here. A large river, the Río de la Plata, flows through Toa Alta. The town celebrates its main festival in May.
Contents
History of Toa Alta
Toa Alta is located west of San Juan, the capital city. It was founded in 1751, making it one of the oldest towns on the main island of Puerto Rico. The San Fernando Rey Church, a famous building in the main town square, started being built in 1752.
People often say that the name Toa Alta comes from the Taíno word Thoa, which means mother or fertility. However, it's more likely that toa comes from the Taíno word for "valley" or "mountain." This area is also known as Valle del Toa, meaning "Toa Valley."
For many years, farming was a very important part of the town's economy. Because of its strong farming, the town was sometimes called the "Granja de los Reyes Católicos" (the Farm of the Catholic Monarchs). Another nickname for the town is Ciudad del Josco. Toa Alta is also known as La Cuna de los Poetas, or "Cradle of Poets." This is because many famous Spanish-language poets, like Abelardo Díaz Alfaro, and musicians, like Tomás "Masso" Rivera, were born here.
On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria caused many landslides in Toa Alta. The hurricane sadly damaged many homes and roads in the town.
Protecting Toa Alta from Floods
In 2018, the United States Army Corps of Engineers started a big project to control flooding. They are working on the Río de la Plata river, which often causes floods in Toa Alta. This project helps protect the town from future water damage.
Geography of Toa Alta
Toa Alta is located in the Northern Coastal Plain of Puerto Rico. This area is known for its unique "Karst" landscape, which has features like caves and sinkholes formed by water dissolving rock.
Main Areas: Barrios
Like all towns in Puerto Rico, Toa Alta is divided into smaller areas called barrios. The main town buildings, the central square, and the large Catholic church are all located in the barrio known as "el pueblo" (the town).
Here are the nine barrios in Toa Alta:
- Contorno
- Galateo
- Mucarabones
- Ortíz
- Piñas
- Quebrada Arenas
- Quebrada Cruz
- Río Lajas
- Toa Alta barrio-pueblo
Smaller Areas: Sectors
Barrios are further divided into even smaller areas called sectores (sectors). These sectors can have different names like urbanización, reparto, barriada, or residencial.
Special Communities
The Comunidades Especiales de Puerto Rico (Special Communities of Puerto Rico) are neighborhoods where people might face challenges and need extra help. In 2014, some of these special communities in Toa Alta included Comunidad Acerolas, Sector Cuba Libre, Sector La Prá, Villa del Río, Villa Josco, and Villa Juventud.
Population of Toa Alta
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 7,908 | — | |
| 1910 | 9,127 | 15.4% | |
| 1920 | 10,505 | 15.1% | |
| 1930 | 11,696 | 11.3% | |
| 1940 | 13,371 | 14.3% | |
| 1950 | 14,155 | 5.9% | |
| 1960 | 15,711 | 11.0% | |
| 1970 | 18,964 | 20.7% | |
| 1980 | 31,910 | 68.3% | |
| 1990 | 44,101 | 38.2% | |
| 2000 | 63,929 | 45.0% | |
| 2010 | 74,066 | 15.9% | |
| 2020 | 66,852 | −9.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1899 (shown as 1900) 1910-1930 1930-1950 1960-2000 2010 2020 |
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Fun Places to Visit
Toa Alta has several interesting places to visit:
- The legendary Bala de Cañón tree.
- Tomás "Maso" Rivera Municipal Theatre, a place for shows and performances.
- The Tomás "Maso" Rivera Statue, honoring the famous musician.
- Egozcué Square public plaza, a nice open space in town.
- San Fernando Rey Parish Church, a historic church.
- Villa Tropical Recreation Center, a place for fun activities.
- Plaza Aquarium Mall, a shopping center.
- Valle El Toa, the beautiful Toa Valley.
Culture and Festivals
Toa Alta celebrates its patron saint festival in May. This festival, called Fiestas Patronales de San Fernando, is a religious and cultural event. It usually includes parades, games, local crafts, fun rides, delicious regional food, and live music.
Another fun event is the Festival El Josco, or the Festival of the Mechanical Bull, which happens in October.
Other festivals and events in Toa Alta include the La Chopa Marathon in March and the Folk Music Festival in November.
Getting Around Toa Alta
Toa Alta has 16 bridges that help people travel around. In 2019, the mayor of Toa Alta worked to reopen Highway #861, which had been closed.
Symbols of Toa Alta
The municipality of Toa Alta has its own official flag and coat of arms.
The Flag
The flag of Toa Alta has three horizontal stripes. The top and bottom stripes are red and are twice as wide as the yellow stripe in the middle. In the top left corner, there is a yellow eight-point star. Professor Herman E. Perez designed the original flag, and the City Council approved it in 1983.
The Coat of Arms
The coat of arms has a gold shield with a red board. On the board, there is a silver sword with a gold crown on top. On each side of the board, there are two smaller red shields. The shield on the right has a gold tower with a crescent moon on top. The shield on the left has a gold eight-point star. The whole shield is topped with a crown that has five towers, outlined in black with red openings.
The motto on the coat of arms is Non Deserit Alta. Professor Herman E. Pérez included this motto to remind everyone, now and in the future, to "not abandon higher principles and values."
Education in Toa Alta
The Puerto Rico Department of Education manages public schools in Toa Alta. There are also several private schools.
Elementary Schools
- Alejandro Junior Cruz
- Heraclio Rivera Colón
- José de Diego
- José María del Valle
- Luis Muñoz Rivera
- Manuel Velilla
- María C. Osorio
- Merced Marcano
- Secundino Díaz
- Violanta Jiménez
- Virgilio Morales
Middle and Junior High Schools
- José Pablo Morales
- Abelardo Díaz Alfaro
- Felipe Díaz González
High Schools
- Adela Rolón Fuentes
- Nicolás Sevilla
- Tomás "Maso" Rivera Morales
Private Schools
- Academia Cristiana Yarah
- Colegio Doriber
Famous People from Toa Alta
- Sergeants José Díaz and Francisco Díaz – These brave brothers helped defend Puerto Rico from a British invasion in 1797.
- Dayanara Torres Delgado – She was crowned Miss Universe in 1993.
- Eddie Santiago – A very popular Salsa and Merengue music artist who has sold many records.
Images for kids
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Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción y San Fernando
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Flag of Toa Alta
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Coat of arms of Toa Alta
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Map of Puerto Rico highlighting Toa Alta Municipality
See also
In Spanish: Toa Alta para niños
