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Ceiba, Puerto Rico

Ceiba, Puerto Rico
Municipality
Flag of Ceiba, Puerto Rico
Flag
Nickname(s): Los Come Sopas", "La Ciudad del Marlin", "Los Sin Sopa"
Anthem: "Ceiba"
Location of Ceiba in Puerto Rico
Location of Ceiba in Puerto Rico
Coordinates: 18°14′17″N 65°37′40″W / 18.23806°N 65.62778°W / 18.23806; -65.62778Coordinates: 18°14′17″N 65°37′40″W / 18.23806°N 65.62778°W / 18.23806; -65.62778
Country United States
Territory Puerto Rico
Founded April 7, 1838
Government
 • Mayor Hon. Angelo Cruz Ramos (PNP)
 • Senatorial dist. 8 - Carolina
 • Representative dist. 36
Area
 • Total 77.33 sq mi (200.28 km2)
 • Land 27.2 sq mi (70.5 km2)
 • Water 50.11 sq mi (129.78 km2)
Population (2010)
 • Total 13,631
 • Density 180/sq mi (68/km2)
Demonym(s) ceibeños
Time zone AST (UTC-4)
Zip code 00735, 00742

Ceiba (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈseiβa], Kapok) is a small municipality in northeast Puerto Rico. It is named after the famous Ceiba tree. Ceiba is located in the north-east coast of the island, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, south of Fajardo, north of Naguabo and southeast of Río Grande. Located about one hour's driving distance from San Juan, Ceiba is spread over 7 wards and Ceiba Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city). It is part of the Fajardo Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Ceiba, situated near Fajardo, used to be home of an American military Naval base, the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station. Most of the units there were relocated and the base was closed in 2004. Ex-governor Sila María Calderón suggested turning the property into a major international airport, to serve as a relief to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, and to increase the number of international airlines that operate into Puerto Rico. She was met with skepticism about these plans from such groups as environmentalists, economists and others, but in 2008, José Aponte de la Torre Airport was inaugurated at the base's former site.

Locals are commonly known as "Los Come Sopa" (The Soup Eaters). Even though there is no official reason as to why they are called this, a few stories have been suggested. Among the tales is the belief that since the town did not have a local meat market people had to travel long distances in order to buy some meat and therefore mostly ate soup.


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