Corozal, Puerto Rico

Corozal, Puerto Rico
Municipality

View of Cordillera Central in Corozal, Puerto Rico, by Jack Delano in 1941.

Flag
Nickname(s): "La Capital del Voleibol", "Los Plataneros"
Anthem: "Salve Perla de Sabana"

Location of Corozal in Puerto Rico
Coordinates: 18°20′30″N 66°19′1″W / 18.34167°N 66.31694°W / 18.34167; -66.31694Coordinates: 18°20′30″N 66°19′1″W / 18.34167°N 66.31694°W / 18.34167; -66.31694
Country United States
Territory Puerto Rico
Founded 1795
Government
 • Mayor Hon. Sergio Torres Torres (PPD)
 • Senatorial dist. 6 - Guayama
 • Representative dist. 28
Area
 • Total 42 sq mi (109 km2)
 • Land 42 sq mi (109 km2)
 • Water 0 sq mi (0 km2)
Population (2010)
 • Total 37,142
 • Density 880/sq mi (340/km2)
Demonym(s) Corozaleños
Time zone AST (UTC-4)
Zip code 00783
Area code 787

Corozal (Spanish pronunciation: [koɾoˈsal]) is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the central-eastern region, north of Orocovis and Barranquitas; south Vega Alta; southwest of Toa Alta; east of Morovis and Orocovis; and west of Naranjito. Corozal is spread over 12 wards and Corozal Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city). It is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The city name is derived from the "palma de corozo" (grugru palm, Acrocomia media) which abounds in the central zone of the Island.

History

Corozal's local Taino Indian Cacique (Chief) was named Orocobix and his tribe was known as the Jatibonicu Taino.

Corozal was founded in 1795 and officially became a town in 1804. Commonly known as La Cuna del Volibol or Volleyball's Crib. It takes its name from the "palma de corozo" (Acrocomia media). Its population as of the 2000 census was 36,867, and it has a land area of 110.3 km2 (43 sq mi).

Geography

Climate data for Corozal, Puerto Rico
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 88
(31)		 90
(32)		 95
(35)		 97
(36)		 98
(37)		 98
(37)		 99
(37)		 98
(37)		 98
(37)		 98
(37)		 93
(34)		 91
(33)		 99
(37)
Average high °F (°C) 78
(26)		 80
(27)		 83
(28)		 84
(29)		 87
(31)		 88
(31)		 88
(31)		 88
(31)		 88
(31)		 87
(31)		 82
(28)		 79
(26)		 84.3
(29.2)
Average low °F (°C) 60
(16)		 60
(16)		 61
(16)		 65
(18)		 68
(20)		 70
(21)		 72
(22)		 72
(22)		 72
(22)		 70
(21)		 66
(19)		 62
(17)		 66.5
(19.2)
Record low °F (°C) 43
(6)		 45
(7)		 45
(7)		 55
(13)		 58
(14)		 60
(16)		 64
(18)		 67
(19)		 64
(18)		 60
(16)		 50
(10)		 48
(9)		 43
(6)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.55
(90.2)		 3.11
(79)		 — 4.78
(121.4)		 8.55
(217.2)		 7.20
(182.9)		 6.20
(157.5)		 5.84
(148.3)		 7.60
(193)		 7.71
(195.8)		 8.47
(215.1)		 5.65
(143.5)		 —
Source: The Weather Channel[1]

Cityscape

Barrios

  • Abras
  • Cibuco
  • Corozal Pueblo
  • Cuchillas
  • Dos Bocas
  • Magueyes
  • Maná
  • Mavillas
  • Negros
  • Padilla
  • Palmarejo
  • Palmarito
  • Palos Blancos[2]

Tourism

Corozal is home to the Historical Center of Cibuco, a park and museum with relics from the Puerto Rican natives (Tainos) as well as objects, paintings and artifacts from the town's history.

Local interest: El Balalaika is a cafeteria / liquor store which opened its doors around 1962 and hasn't been closed since, with the exceptions of Hurricane Hugo and the occasional political elections. It also serves as a Municipal Police Outpost.

Landmarks and places of interest

Economy

Agriculture

One of Puerto Rico's major plaintain producers. New small businesses producing eggs and hydrophonic crops (lettuce, recao) are emerging.

Business

Crafts, Artisans, services. Several manufacture enterprises have reduced or moved operations in recent years.

Culture

Festivals and events

Sports

Volleyball

Swimming

The Gold Fish Swim Team for kids and youth and a new Master's Swim Team created in 2008 under the direction of Arlene Ortiz.

Government

All municipalities in Puerto Rico are administered by a mayor, elected every four years. The current mayor of Corozal is Sergio Torres Torres, of the Popular Democratic Party (PPD). He was elected at the 2012 general elections.

The city belongs to the Puerto Rico Senatorial district VI, which is represented by two Senators. In 2012, Miguel Pereira Castillo and Angel M. Rodríguez were elected as District Senators.[3]

Symbols

Flag

Consists of three horizontal stripes of equal width, yellow the top, green the middle and blue the bottom, and in some instances the middle stripe could have embroidered or printed the Coat Of Arms.

The flag is very similar to the provincial flag of Islas del Caró (I.D.C.) of neighbour country of El Conquistador except that the yellow stripe is half the size as the green and blue stripes much like the flag of Colombia except that the red stripe is replaced by the green one at the bottom. It is unknown whether the flag was made to coincide with the densely populated province of El Conquistador or was created by natural and neutral causes.

Coat of Arms

On a gold background three Corozo Palms, with clusters in their original color, planted on a green landscape and in front of a mountain range. At the bottom, blue and silver water waves sprinkled with gold nuggets. The three towercrown is gold with black stones. It also has another flag the colors are red and white the white star and the blue outline. The Corozo Palms represent the name of the town and its river,whose margins were populated with this palms. The mountains represent the high and striking Mountains of Corozal. The waves represent the Corozal River and gold nuggets, metal that until recently was panned in its rivera. The gold background represents the hard labor and alludes to the gold of Corozal, so appreciated long ago for its purity. The crown is an emblem used to designate the cities and towns.

Education

Public high schools in Corozal include Escuela Superior Emilio R. Delgado and Escuela Superior Porfirio Cruz García High School in Barrio Cuchillas. The only private high school is Colegio Sagrada Familia in Barrio Pueblo.

Notable "Corozaleños"

Books about Corozal

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Ocala, Florida Weather". The Weather Channel.
  2. ↑ welcome.topuertorico.org
  3. ↑ Elecciones Generales 2012: Escrutinio General Archived December 3, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. on CEEPUR
  4. ↑ council.nyc.gov
  5. ↑
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