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Barranquitas, Puerto Rico

Barranquitas, Puerto Rico
Town and Municipality
Flag of Barranquitas, Puerto Rico
Flag
Coat of arms of Barranquitas, Puerto Rico
Coat of arms
Nickname(s): Cuna de Próceres", "Cuna Feria de Artesanías", "El Altar de la Patria", "El Pueblo de Luis Muñoz Rivera
Anthem: "Aquí en el centro de nuestra tierra"
Location of Barranquitas in Puerto Rico
Location of Barranquitas in Puerto Rico
Coordinates: 18°11′12″N 66°18′23″W / 18.18667°N 66.30639°W / 18.18667; -66.30639Coordinates: 18°11′12″N 66°18′23″W / 18.18667°N 66.30639°W / 18.18667; -66.30639
Country United States
Territory Puerto Rico
Founded 1803
Government
 • Mayor Francisco "Paco" López (PNP)
 • Senatorial dist. 6 - Guayama
 • Representative dist. 27
Area
 • Total 33.21 sq mi (86.01 km2)
 • Land 33 sq mi (86 km2)
 • Water 0.004 sq mi (.01 km2)
Population (2010)
 • Total 30,318
 • Density 910/sq mi (350/km2)
Demonym(s) Barranquiteños
Time zone AST (UTC-4)
Zip code 00794

Barranquitas (Spanish pronunciation: [baraŋˈkitas], Smallgullies) is a small mountain municipality located in the central region of Puerto Rico, south of Corozal and Naranjito; north of Coamo and Aibonito; west of Comerío and Cidra; and east of Orocovis. Barranquitas is spread over 6 wards and Barranquitas Pueblo (the downtown area and the administrative center of the city). It is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Barranquitas is about one hour by winding roads from San Juan, the capital. It is nestled amid hills and mountains, and nearby, between Barranquitas and Aibonito, is located the "cañón de San Cristóbal" (Canyon of Saint Cristopher); one of the deepest canyons in the Indies. For years, the overlook was used as a municipal garbage; in the last decade, the refuse was removed and the site restored.

Barranquitas's local Taino Indian Cacique (Chief) was called Orocobix and his yucayeque or tribe was known as the Jatibonicu Taino.

The town was founded in 1803 by Antonio Aponte Ramos.

Early in the 20th century, Barranquitas residents, known as Barranquiteños, had a short but legendary territory war with residents of the city of Comerío.

The Municipality of Barranquitas sits on the middle of the Cordillera Central of Puerto Rico, which is the main mountain range that crosses the island from west to east. It is bordered by the municipalities of Corozal, Naranjito, Coamo, Aibonito, Orocovis, and Comerío. Barranquitas has a surface area of 34 square miles (88.4 km2).


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