Gurabo, Puerto Rico
| Gurabo, Puerto Rico | ||
|---|---|---|
| Municipality | ||
| ||
| Nickname(s): El Pueblo de las Escaleras", "Puerta del Turismo del Sureste | ||
| Anthem: "En un valle rodeado por montañas nace un" | ||
 Location of Gurabo in Puerto Rico | ||
| Coordinates: 18°15′16″N 65°58′23″W / 18.25444°N 65.97306°WCoordinates: 18°15′16″N 65°58′23″W / 18.25444°N 65.97306°W | ||
| Country | United States | |
| Territory | Puerto Rico | |
| Founded | 1815 | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Víctor Manuel Ortiz Díaz (PNP) | |
| • Senatorial dist. | 7 - Humacao | |
| • Representative dist. | 31,32 | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 28.28 sq mi (73.24 km2) | |
| • Land | 27.84 sq mi (72.11 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.44 sq mi (1.13 km2) | |
| Population (2010) | ||
| • Total | 45,369 | |
| • Density | 1,600/sq mi (620/km2) | |
| Demonym(s) | Gurabeños | |
| Time zone | AST (UTC-4) | |
| Zip code | 00778 | |
| Area code | 787, 939 | |
| Website | gurabopr.com | |
Gurabo (Spanish pronunciation: [ɡuˈɾaβo]) is a municipality in eastern Puerto Rico located in the central eastern region, north of San Lorenzo; south of Trujillo Alto; east of Caguas; and west of Carolina and Juncos. Gurabo is spread over 9 wards and Gurabo Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city). It is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History
Gurabo's history dates as far back as the 17th century, when Gurabo was actually part of Caguas. Then, the area was known as Burabo. By 1700, transportation, medical and economic trouble were crippling the population of the Burabo area; traveling to Caguas' center for business and medical help was not easy and took hours. This led to many of Burabos citizens to seek for the area to gain autonomy.
It would be long, however, before Gurabo was separated from Caguas. The separation movement was brought forward by an 1812 meeting of all 168 family leaders in Gurabo, who decided to have Luis del Carmen Echevarría lead them in their quest for autonomic independence, based on the large number of residents in Burabo.
In 1815, Gurabo became a municipality. In 1822, the first Catholic church in town was erected. In 1903, the first Baptist church opened its doors in Gurabo town.
Gurabo is also known as "La Ciudad de las Escaleras", or "city of the stairs". Located in the town center, the stairs are about twenty two floors high, and they are painted in bright colors. They cross an important business area of Gurabo. Gurabo's mayor is Victor M. Ortiz Diaz.
Geography
Rio Gurabo
Cityscape
Barrios
- Celada
- Gurabo Pueblo
- Hato Nuevo
- Jaguar
- Jaguas
- Mamey
- Masas
- Navarro
- Quebrada Infierno
- Rincón[1]
Economy
Agriculture
- Dairy Farms
Industry
Manufacturing (metal, paper, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electrical and electronic equipment, and electrical machinery)
Tourism
Landmarks and places of interest
- Centro de Exposición
- Cofresí Park
- Del Turabo University Museum
- Hacienda Mirador
- Loíza Lagoon
Culture
Festivals and events
- San José Patron Festivities - March
- Mapeyé Festival - October
Sports
Gurabo has a baseball academy named Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and High School (PRBAHS).
Colegio Bautista de Gurabo (Sports: Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, Softball, Track and Field.) colegiobautistadegurabo.com
Government
Like all municipalities in Puerto Rico, Gurabo is administered by a mayor. The current mayor is Víctor Manuel Ortíz, from the New Progressive Party (PNP). Ortíz was elected at the 2004 general election.
The city belongs to the Puerto Rico Senatorial district VII, which is represented by two Senators. In 2012, Jorge Suárez and José Luis Dalmau were elected as District Senators.[2]
Symbols
Flag
With eleven stripes, six green and five yellow, alternated, the yellow with the superior (top) edge indented forming a stairway.
Coat of Arms
In a green field resides a widened gold patriarcal cross. Below the bottom arm are two shields in silver. The one on the left has a fleur de lis and the one on the right three lilies with stems in a natural way. Three towers in gold crown the shield.
Education
- Turabo University at Gurabo
- Puerto Rico Criminal Justice College- Gurabo campus (Puerto Rico Police Academy)
See also
- List of Puerto Ricans
- History of Puerto Rico
- Did you know-Puerto Rico?
