Loíza
| Loíza | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Location in Puerto Rico
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| Basic data | |||
| Foundation : | 1719 | ||
| State : | United States | ||
| Outside area : | Puerto Rico | ||
| Coordinates : | 18 ° 26 ′ N , 65 ° 53 ′ W | ||
| Time zone : | Atlantic Standard Time ( UTC − 4 ) | ||
| Residents : | 33,557 (as of 2005) | ||
| Population density : | 666.3 inhabitants per km 2 | ||
| Area : | 170.19 km 2 (approx. 66 mi 2 ) of which 50.36 km 2 (approx. 19 mi 2 ) is land |
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| Height : | 3 m | ||
| Postal code : | 00772 | ||
| Area code : | +1 787 939 | ||
| FIPS : | 72-46368 | ||
| GNIS ID : | 1611413 | ||
Loíza is a city in northeast Puerto Rico .
geography
Geographical location
Loíza is north of Canóvanas , east of Carolina and west of Río Grande .
Expansion of the urban area
With 32,537 inhabitants (as of 2000) on an area of 50.36 km², the population density is 646.1 inhabitants per km². The 10,927 households had 20.1% White, 67.2% Afro-Latinos, 0.7% Indigenous Americans, 0.2% Asians, 0.1% from the Pacific, 6% from other races and 5.6% mixed. Children under the age of 18 lived in 45.8% of households, in 49.1% married couples, 29.7% single women and 16.3% non-families. The average age (median) of the residents is 27 years. The per capita income is around $ 4,700 and 67% of the population live below the poverty line because of government neglect or incompetent mayors .
City structure
Loíza extends over the five districts of Las Cuevas, Medianía Baja, Parcelas Suárez, Medianía Alta and Torrecilla Baja as well as the city center of Loíza Pueblo.
history
Loíza was officially named a city in 1692 and named after the female chief Yuisa or Luisa, who ruled the island when the Spanish conquerors arrived. In the first few years the population grew due to liberated or escaped African slaves and Taíno Indians.
In the early 1930s, residents of Loíza were moved from what is now Isla Verde in Carolina to Sabana Abajo, Carolina, to make way for what is now Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. This is why many Carolina residents have their roots in Loíza and many families say they are from both areas.
politics
mayor
The Mayor Eddie M. Manso Fuentes belongs to the Partido Nuevo Progresista.
Coat of arms, flag and anthem
In the center of the coat of arms is the rider Santiago Apostle, whom the Loiceños worship at the traditional festival on July 25th. The flames symbolize the Holy Spirit , the bearer of the seven gifts, a title of the old church of Loíza. The undulating stripes indicate the Grande de Loíza River, which has shaped the geography, history and literature of Puerto Rico. The crown is the symbol of Taíno chief Yuisa, who lived in this area and tragically died. The shamrocks represent St. Patrick , the island's apostle and patron of the population.
The flag consists of three undulating stripes in the colors red, gold and green. The silhouette of a bell tower in the first stripe recalls the religious tradition and serves as a symbol of the Church of St. Patrick.
The hymn Loiceños en Acción was written by Lolita Cuevas.
Loiceño en acción
deja huella de tu yo
en tu tradición;
tu bandera has de honrar,
tus raíces y tu himno exaltar.
Loiceño, has de marcar
en el tiempo
el orgullo de tu honor;
tu vehemencia
ha de con srar
luz divina
en horizontes de alta mar.
Unidos vamos adelante,
unidos en amor y paz;
nuestra historia
es la esperanza
que a nuestra patria
hará triunfar.
Cultiva tu tierra, es tesoro,
estudia y lucha
sin cesar,
que Loíza es hija digna
de Borinquén,
pueblo de amor y paz.
Culture and sights
music
The Loíza Aldea neighborhood is known throughout Puerto Rico as a talent shed for dancers and artists. The Plena music style developed in the former center for black music . Every year there is a parade in which the participants wear colorful masks made of coconut , the so-called Vejigante masks (sp .: Máscaras de Vejigante ).
Buildings
The most important structures are the Church of St. Patrick and the Ayala Family Artesan Center.
Natural monuments
In Loíza you can explore the María de la Cruz Cave and the Piñones Lagoon, stroll along the Aviones and Vacía Talega beaches and the Julia de Burgos Walk.
Regular events
The Mayombe Carnival is celebrated in February. In March there is the festival in honor of San Patricio and in July the celebration of Santiago Apóstol.
Economy and Infrastructure
Loíza lives from fishing and the cultivation of coconuts, fruits and sugar cane.
Personalities
sons and daughters of the town
- Belen Zequeria de Cuevas
- Castor Ayala - artist
- Francisco E. Mundo Arzuaga - Mayor and Professor
- Ramón Suárez - founder of the Mimiya Hospital in Santurce
- William Cepeda (* 1965) - jazz musician
- Tego Calderón (born 1972) - Reggaeton singer
Web links
- Data from the US Census Bureau (English)