Vega Alta, Puerto Rico facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vega Alta
Municipio Autónomo de Vega Alta
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Town and Municipality
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PR-676 in Vega Alta
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| Nicknames:
Pueblo de los Ñangotaos, Los Maceteros
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| Anthem: "En La Costa Norte De Mi Islita" | |||
Map of Puerto Rico highlighting Vega Alta Municipality
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| Sovereign state | United States | ||
| Commonwealth | Puerto Rico | ||
| Settled | 1775 | ||
| Founded | January 22, 1787 | ||
| Founded by | Don Francisco de la Cruz | ||
| Barrios | |||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 27.75 sq mi (71.87 km2) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 35,395 | ||
| • Rank | 32nd in Puerto Rico | ||
| • Density | 1,275.53/sq mi (492.49/km2) | ||
| Demonym(s) | Vegalteños | ||
| Time zone | UTC-4 (AST) | ||
| ZIP Code |
00692
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| Area code(s) | 787/939 | ||
| Major routes |          |
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Vega Alta (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈbeɣa ˈalta]) is a town and a special area (called a municipality) in Puerto Rico. It's located on the northern coast of the island. To its north is the ocean, and it's surrounded by other towns like Morovis, Corozal, Vega Baja, and Dorado. Vega Alta covers about 28 square miles (71.87 km²).
Vega Alta is divided into eight main parts called "barrios," including the downtown area, which is the heart of the town. It's also part of the larger San Juan metropolitan area. Vega Alta is west of San Juan, the capital city of Puerto Rico.
The town is famous for Cerro Gordo Beach. Other interesting places include the Inmaculada Concepción Catholic church, which was built in 1813, and the Vega Alta Forest. Every year, during the first week of December, Vega Alta celebrates its patron saint, the Immaculate Conception. The name "Vega Alta" means "high meadow" or "upper meadow" in English.
Contents
History of Vega Alta
Vega Alta was founded in 1775 by Francisco de los Olivos. It was first called La Vega de Espinosa'. People also knew it as el pueblo de los 'ñangotaos, which means "the town of the squatters." This name came from the local country folk who would wait for the train by squatting because there were no benches.
Before becoming Vega Alta, it was part of a group of towns known as Las Vegas. Later, this area was split into two separate municipalities: Vega Baja and Vega Alta.
After the Spanish–American War, Spain gave Puerto Rico to the United States in 1898. This happened under the Treaty of Paris. In 1899, the United States counted the people in Puerto Rico for the first time. They found that Vega Alta had a population of 6,107.
On October 12, 1898, the mayor of Vega Alta, Francisco Vega, welcomed U.S. troops. On that same day, the U.S. flag was raised over the city hall for the first time. From 1902 to 1905, Vega Alta was part of its neighbor, Vega Baja, again. But in 1905, Puerto Rico's government passed a law that allowed Vega Alta to become its own municipality once more.
In 2017, Hurricane Maria caused many landslides in Vega Alta. About 90% of the homes made of wood were destroyed.
Geography and Nature
Vega Alta is located on the northern coast of Puerto Rico, in an area known for its unique limestone hills called the Northern Karst region.
Rivers and Beaches
Several rivers flow through Vega Alta, including the Río Cibuco, Río Mavilla, and Río Unibón. The Javier Calderón Beach, also known as Cerro Gordo Beach, is a popular spot. It is managed by the Puerto Rico Department of Sports and Recreation.
Vega Alta has a land area of about 27.75 square miles (71.87 km²) and a water area of 9.76 square miles (25.28 km²).
Town Divisions (Barrios)
Like all municipalities in Puerto Rico, Vega 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".
Here are the eight barrios of Vega Alta:
Smaller Areas (Sectors)
Barrios are further divided into even smaller areas called sectores (sectors). These can have different names like urbanización, reparto, barriada, or residencial.
Special Communities
Some communities in Puerto Rico are called Comunidades Especiales de Puerto Rico (Special Communities). These are areas where people might face challenges like social exclusion. In 2014, some of these special communities in Vega Alta included Villa Alegria, Villa del Rio, Mavilla, Machuchal, El Nueve, Ponderosa, Manantial, and Corea.
Climate
Vega Alta has a warm climate. June is usually the warmest month, and March is the coolest. October tends to be the wettest month, while June is the driest.
Economy and Jobs
In 1908, Vega Alta was known for producing coffee, sugar, oranges, tobacco, and rum.
Agriculture
Today, farming in Vega Alta includes:
- Growing bananas, other fruits, grains, and sugar cane.
- Cultivating flowers and ornamental plants.
- Raising dairy cows, meat cattle, pigs, and poultry.
Industry
Vega Alta also has industries that make:
- Chemicals
- Electrical and electronic machinery
- Furniture
- Food products
- Plastics
- The town also has a Logistics Center.
Tourism and Fun Things to Do
Vega Alta has 6 beaches, with Cerro Gordo being one of the most popular.
Lin-Manuel Miranda's Connection
The famous Puerto Rican musician and playwright, Lin-Manuel Miranda, who created the Broadway hit Hamilton, has family roots in Vega Alta. In 2017, his father opened La Placita de Güisín, a cafe and restaurant in downtown Vega Alta. In 2019, Lin-Manuel moved his special items and awards to a new place called the Lin-Manuel Miranda Gallery, which is near Placita de Güisín. He also opened a store there called TeeRico. These spots have become popular places for tourists to visit.
In one of his musicals, "In the Heights", a character named "Dani" is said to be from Vega Alta. The song says:
When I was a little girl, growing up in the hills of Vega Alta My favorite time of year, was christmastime.
Culture and Celebrations
Festivals and Events
Vega Alta celebrates its patron saint festival in December. This event, called the Fiestas Patronales de La Inmaculada Concepción de María, is a religious and cultural celebration. It usually includes parades, games, local crafts, fun rides, regional food, and live music.
Other festivals and events in Vega Alta include:
- Three Kings Fiestas - January
- Rosarios Cantados (Sung Rosary) - February
- Carnaval Vegalteño - February
- Kite Festival - July
- Virgen del Carmen Parade - July
- Rooster Festival - October
Sports
The Vega Alta Maceteros are the town's Double-A (baseball) team. Basketball is also very popular and played in local communities. Other sports enjoyed in Vega Alta include tennis, volleyball, handball, and amateur surfing.
Vega Alta is also known for producing famous Major League Baseball players. These include the Molina Brothers: Yadier Molina, Bengie Molina, and José Molina. Other well-known sports figures from Vega Alta are former New York Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams and professional boxer Ángel Chacón.
Music
A famous musician from Vega Alta was Ladislao Martinez, also known as El Maestro Ladi (1898–1979). He was a master of the cuatro, a traditional Puerto Rican instrument. He was the first Puerto Rican to play a cuatro solo on the radio.
Fiel a la Vega, a rock band that sings in Spanish, was formed in 1994. Two band members, Tito Auger and Ricky Laureano, are from Vega Alta.
Population Changes
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 6,107 | — | |
| 1910 | 8,134 | 33.2% | |
| 1920 | 9,970 | 22.6% | |
| 1930 | 12,333 | 23.7% | |
| 1940 | 14,329 | 16.2% | |
| 1950 | 16,521 | 15.3% | |
| 1960 | 17,603 | 6.5% | |
| 1970 | 22,810 | 29.6% | |
| 1980 | 28,696 | 25.8% | |
| 1990 | 34,559 | 20.4% | |
| 2000 | 37,910 | 9.7% | |
| 2010 | 39,951 | 5.4% | |
| 2020 | 35,395 | −11.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1899 (shown as 1900) 1910-1930 1930-1950 1960-2000 2010 2020 |
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Getting Around
Highway 22 connects Vega Alta to other parts of Puerto Rico, like Mayagüez and San Juan. Highway 2 also provides access from western towns like Manatí and Arecibo, and eastern San Juan suburbs like Bayamón and Guaynabo. It takes about 30 minutes to drive from San Juan to Vega Alta.
The closest airport is Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Carolina. The Tren Urbano metro system in Bayamón is also nearby for public transportation.
Vega Alta has 16 bridges.
Symbols of Vega Alta
The municipality of Vega Alta has its own official flag and coat of arms.
Flag
The flag of Vega Alta has 7 vertical stripes. The middle stripe is blue, with thinner green and white stripes on its sides.
Coat of Arms
The coat of arms was designed by Roberto Biascochea Lota. It has three bars. The middle bar shows a bouquet of natural lilies, which represents the Immaculate Conception of Mary. The colors silver and azure (blue) also symbolize her. On the sides are two olive branches, which honor the town's founder, Francisco de los Olivos. Two sugarcane branches are also shown, because sugarcane farming has been a very important part of Vega Alta's economy.
Anthem
The anthem of Vega Alta is a song created in 1958. The words were written by Domingo Figueroa Ramírez Arreglo, and the music was composed by Domingo and Elliot A. Knight.
Education
Vega Alta has both public and private schools for students of all ages.
Public Schools
- Antonio Paoli/Elementary
- Elemental Urbana/Elementary
- Elisa Davila Vazquez/Elementary
- Ignacio Miranda/Elementary School
- Dr. Cañaco Stalingrad III/ High School
- Jose D. Rosado/Elementary
- Jose M. Pagan/Elementary
- Rafael Hernadez/Elementary
- Apolo San Antonio/Former High School
- Nueva Escuela Brenas/Middle School, Second Unit
- Adelaida Vega/Middle School, Second Unit
- Ileana de Gracia/High School
- Ladislao Martinez (Maestro Ladi)/Second High School
Private Schools
- Academia Dicipulos de Cristo (Disciples of Christ)/Elementary and Middle School
- Colegio de la Vega
- Academia Cambu
Famous People from Vega Alta
- Yadier Molina - A professional baseball player.
- Dennis Rivera - A professional wrestler and brother of Savio Vega.
- Savio Vega - A professional wrestler and brother of Dennis Rivera.
See also
In Spanish: Vega Alta (Puerto Rico) para niños
