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Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
Municipality
View of Aguadilla (Puerto Rico).jpg
Flag of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
Flag
Nickname(s): "El Nuevo Jardín del Atlántico", "La Villa del Ojo de Agua", "El Pueblo de los Tiburones"
Anthem: "Playita Aguadillana"
Location of Aguadilla in Puerto Rico
Location of Aguadilla in Puerto Rico
Coordinates: 18°25′48″N 67°9′16″W / 18.43000°N 67.15444°W / 18.43000; -67.15444Coordinates: 18°25′48″N 67°9′16″W / 18.43000°N 67.15444°W / 18.43000; -67.15444
Country  United States of America
Territory  Puerto Rico
Founded 1775
Founded by Luis de Córdova
Government
 • Mayor Carlos Méndez Martínez (NPP)
 • Senatorial dist. 4 - Mayagüez/Aguadilla
 • Representative dist. 17
Area
 • Total 76.3 sq mi (197.7 km2)
 • Land 36.6 sq mi (94.7 km2)
 • Water 39.0 sq mi (100.9 km2)
Elevation 326 ft (99 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 60,949
 • Density 800/sq mi (310/km2)
Demonym(s) Aguadillanos
Racial groups
 • 2010 Census 83.0% White
7.4% Black
0.3% American Ind/AN
0.2% Asian
6.8% Some other race
2.4% Two or more races
Time zone AST (no daylight saving time) (UTC-4)
Zip code 00603, 00604, 00605, 00690
Area code 787, 939
Website aguadilla.gobierno.pr

Aguadilla (Spanish pronunciation: [aɣwaˈðiʝa], Watered Smalls), founded in 1775 by Luis de Córdova, is a city and municipality located in the northwestern tip of Puerto Rico bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, north of Aguada, and Moca and west of Isabela. Aguadilla is spread over 15 wards and Aguadilla Pueblo, the administrative center of the city. It is a principal city of the Aguadilla-Isabela-San Sebastián Metropolitan Statistical Area.

According to sources, a Taíno settlement called Amamón was located close to the Culebrinas River.

The present territory of Aguadilla was originally part of the territory of Aguada. In 1775, the foundation of Aguadilla by Don Luis de Córdova was approved. But it wasn't until 1780 that the territory was properly segregated, making the founding of the town official. Originally, Aguadilla was constituted by the Victoria and Higüey wards. This region was already inhabited and known as Aguadilla before 1770. In 1776, Fray Íñigo Abbad y Lasierra in his description of the towns of the island, mentioned it as the "new Town of San Carlos of the Aguadilla." Nevertheless, according to Dr. Agustín Stahl in his Foundation of Aguadilla, it was not until 1780 that the town was officially founded. The construction of a new church and the proceedings to become an independent village began in the 1775.

The population in the Village of Aguadilla continued to increase constantly mainly due to its excellent port and strategic location in the route of the boats. In 1776, when Santo Domingo became independent for the first time, the Spanish descended loyals emigrated to Puerto Rico, mainly to Aguadilla, which caused the population to continue increasing significantly. In 1831, according to Don Pedro Tomás de Córdova, the party of Aguadilla belonged to Aguada. At this time, the territorial organization of Aguadilla was as follows: Pueblo Norte (North Town), Pueblo Sur (South Town), Ceiba Alta, Ceiba Baja, Montaña, Malezas, Aguacate, Dos Palmas, Camaseyes, Plainela, Borinquen, Arenales, Higüey, Corrales, Victoria, and Mangual.


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