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Fajardo

Fajardo, Puerto Rico
Municipality
Aerial view of Fajardo's basin
Aerial view of Fajardo's basin
Flag of Fajardo, Puerto Rico
Flag
Nickname(s): "Los Cariduros", "La Metrópolis del Sol Naciente"
Anthem: "Fajardo que aquí en el oriente"
Location of Fajardo in Puerto Rico
Location of Fajardo in Puerto Rico
Coordinates: 18°19′33″N 65°39′09″W / 18.32583°N 65.65250°W / 18.32583; -65.65250Coordinates: 18°19′33″N 65°39′09″W / 18.32583°N 65.65250°W / 18.32583; -65.65250
Country United States
Territory Puerto Rico
Founded 1772
Government
 • Mayor Hon. Aníbal Meléndez Rivera (NPP)
 • Senatorial dist. 8 - Carolina
 • Representative dist. 36
Area
 • Total 60.41 sq mi (156.45 km2)
 • Land 31 sq mi (81 km2)
 • Water 29.13 sq mi (75.45 km2)
Population (2010)
 • Total 36,993
 • Density 610/sq mi (240/km2)
Demonym(s) Fajardeños
Time zone AST (UTC-4)
Zip Code 00738, 00740
Area code 787

Fajardo (Spanish pronunciation: [faˈxaɾðo]) is a small city and municipality in Puerto Rico located in the east region of the island, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of Ceiba and east of Luquillo. Fajardo is spread over 7 wards and Downtown Fajardo (commonly called by the locals "Fajardo Pueblo"), which serves as the administrative center of the city. It is both a principal city of the Fajardo Metropolitan Statistical Area and the San Juan-Caguas-Fajardo Combined Statistical Area.

Fajardo is the hub of the majority of recreational boating in Puerto Rico and a popular launching port to Culebra, Vieques, and the American and British Virgin Islands. It is also the home to the largest Marina in the Caribbean, called Puerto del Rey. The town contains various hotels and inns.

Off shore, near Fajardo, a few islets can be found. These are Icacos, Palominos, Palominito, and Diablo, among other uninhabited coral islands.

Fajardo was founded in 1760, 1773 or 1774 (depending on the authority) as Santiago de Fajardo. It was one of the locations used by the Americans to invade Puerto Rico. On August 1, 1898 the USS Puritan under the command of Captain Frederic W. Rodgers, was sailing by the coastline of the city of Fajardo, when Rogers noticed the "Faro de Las Cabezas de San Juan" (Cape San Juan lighthouse) which was supposed to be the landing site for the US Army in Puerto Rico. Rodgers ordered some of his men ashore, which included Puerto Rican volunteers, with the mission of posting the American Flag atop the lighthouse.

Fajardo is popular among tourists, especially local tourists, because of its seafood, hotels, closeness to the small islands of Palomino, Icacos and Palominito, and the many daily trips that are (or were) available to Vieques and Culebra, both by boat and by the four airlines that served Fajardo Airport (now closed): Air Culebra, Air St. Thomas, Isla Nena Air and Vieques Air Link.


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