:Camuy, Puerto Rico

{{short description|Town and municipality in Puerto Rico}}

{{use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Camuy

| official_name =

| native_name = {{lang|es|Municipio Autónomo de Camuy}}

| native_name_lang = es

| settlement_type = Town and Municipality

| image_skyline = "Reflejos al atardecer" - Sector Bajuras, Camuy, Puerto Rico - panoramio.jpg

| imagesize = 300px

| image_alt =

| image_flag = CamuyFlag.svg

| flag_alt =

| image_shield = Coat of arms of Camuy, Puerto Rico.svg

| shield_alt =

| nicknames = "Ciudad Romántica", "Ciudad de los Areneros", "Ciudad del Sol Taíno, "Valle de las Cavernas"

| anthem = "Pedazo de Borinquen"

| image_map = Locator-map-Puerto-Rico-Camuy.svg

| mapsize = 300px

| map_alt =

| map_caption = Map of Puerto Rico highlighting Camuy Municipality

| coordinates = {{coord|18|29|02|N|66|50|42|W|region:US-PR|display=inline,title}}

| coor_pinpoint =

| coordinates_footnotes =

| subdivision_type = Sovereign state

| subdivision_name = {{flag|United States}}

| subdivision_type1 = Commonwealth

| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Puerto Rico}}

| established_title = Settled

| established_date = early 19th century

| established_title1 = Founded

| established_date1 = June 12, 1807

| founder = Don Ignacio Jiménez

| parts_type = Barrios

| parts = 13 barrios

| p1 = Abra Honda

| p2 = Camuy barrio-pueblo

| p3 = Camuy Arriba

| p4 = Cibao

| p5 = Ciénagas

| p6 = Membrillo

| p7 = Piedra Gorda

| p8 = Puente

| p9 = Puertos

| p10 = Quebrada

| p11 = Santiago

| p12 = Yeguada

| p13 = Zanja

| seat_type =

| seat =

| government_footnotes =

| leader_party = PNP

| leader_title = Mayor

| leader_name = Gabriel Hernández Rodríguez

| leader_title1 = Senatorial dist.

| leader_name1 = 3 - Arecibo

| leader_title2 = Representative dist.

| leader_name2 = 15

| area_footnotes = {{Cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/GCTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=05000US72027&-_box_head_nbr=GCT-PH1&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U&-redoLog=false&-format=CO-2&-mt_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U_GCTPH1_CO2 |title=American FactFinder - Results |access-date=2006-07-16 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212034530/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/GCTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=05000US72027&-_box_head_nbr=GCT-PH1&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U&-redoLog=false&-format=CO-2&-mt_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U_GCTPH1_CO2 |archive-date=2020-02-12 |url-status=dead }}

| area_magnitude =

| unit_pref = Imperial

| area_total_sq_mi = 61.91

| area_land_sq_mi = 46.43

| area_water_sq_mi = 15.49

| area_water_percent =

| area_note =

| elevation_footnotes =

| elevation_ft =

| population_footnotes = {{Cite web|publisher=United States Census Bureau|title=PUERTO RICO: 2020 Census|url=https://www.census.gov/library/stories/state-by-state/puerto-rico-population-change-between-census-decade.html|access-date=2021-08-25|website=The United States Census Bureau|language=EN-US}}

| population_total = 32,827

| population_as_of = 2020

| population_density_sq_mi = auto

| population_demonym = Camuyanos

| population_note =

| timezone1 = AST

| utc_offset1 = −4

| postal_code_type = ZIP Code

| postal_code = 00627

| area_code = 787/939

| blank_name_sec1 = Major routes

| blank_info_sec1 = File:PR primary 2.svg File:PR secondary 119.svg File:PR secondary 129.svg File:Ellipse sign 113.svg

| website =

| footnotes =

| population_rank = 37th in Puerto Rico

}}

Camuy ({{IPA|es|kaˈmuj}}) is a town and municipality of Puerto Rico, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of Lares and San Sebastián; east of Quebradillas; and west of Hatillo. Camuy is spread over 12 barrios and Camuy Pueblo (the downtown area and the administrative center of the city). The town celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2007.

Camuy is part of the "Porta Atlántico" Tourist Area.

History

Camuy, popularly known as Romantic City (la ciudad romántica), was founded in 1807 by Petronila Matos, and formerly part of Arecibo is located in the northwestern coastal region of Puerto Rico, less than 5 minutes west of Hatillo municipality, on PR-2 and PR-119. As early as 1846, {{lang|es|Puente Camuy}}, a bridge over the Camuy River linked Camuy with Hatillo.{{cite book | author=Puerto Rico Office of Historian | title=Tesauro de datos historicos: indice compendioso de la literatura histórica de Puerto Rico, incluyendo algunos datos inéditos, periodísticos y cartográficos | publisher=Impr. del Gobierno de Puerto Rico | issue=v. 2 | year=1949 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IVRnAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA13 | language=es | access-date=4 January 2020 | pages=13–17 | archive-date=22 August 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822185458/https://books.google.com/books?id=IVRnAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA13 | url-status=live }} The name Camuy derives from the Taíno language, although a number of legends give differing explanations for the origin of the name. One such legend claims the name comes from the Taíno word for "sun", another claims derivation from camuy, Taíno for "beautiful scenery", and still another states that Camuy was the name of the Taíno chief Yumac with the letters in reverse order. The "sun" legend is reflected in the coat of arms for the municipality.{{cite web|title=Camuy Municipality Founding History and Symbols|url=https://enciclopediapr.org/en/encyclopedia/camuy-municipality/#1465331233922-61915a4b-ef14|website=enciclopediapr.org|publisher=Fundación Puertorriqueña de las Humanidades (FPH)|access-date=14 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914060730/https://enciclopediapr.org/en/encyclopedia/camuy-municipality/#1465331233922-61915a4b-ef14|archive-date=2018-09-14|url-status=live}}

Puerto Rico was ceded by Spain in the aftermath of the Spanish–American War and became a territory of the United States. In 1899, the United States Department of War conducted a census of Puerto Rico finding that the population of Camuy was 10,887.{{cite book|author1=Joseph Prentiss Sanger|author2=Henry Gannett|author3=Walter Francis Willcox|title=Informe sobre el censo de Puerto Rico, 1899, United States. War Dept. Porto Rico Census Office|url=https://archive.org/details/informesobreelc00joangoog|year=1900|publisher=Imprenta del gobierno|page=[https://archive.org/details/informesobreelc00joangoog/page/n251 160]|language=es|access-date=2019-02-14|archive-date=2012-11-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115044918/https://archive.org/details/informesobreelc00joangoog|url-status=live}}

In its beginnings Camuy was integrated into the Partition of San Antonio de la Tuna. The "partitions" were great expanses of land that divided Puerto Rico. This region today is known as Isabela, Puerto Rico. At the time the partition covered the areas between Aguadilla and Arecibo, what is known today as the municipalities of Camuy, Hatillo, Quebradillas, Isabela, Utuado, and San Sebastián.

The population of Camuy was 35,159 at the 2010 census, and it has land area of {{convert|46.3|sqmi}}. The municipality is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo metropolitan area and is a popular suburb. It was named in 2015 by the U.S. Conference of Mayors as one of the most livable cities in the United States.{{Cite web |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boston--hattiesburg-ms-named-most-livable-cities-in-america-300102336.html |title=Boston & Hattiesburg (MS) Named 'Most Livable' Cities in America |access-date=2016-05-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605074758/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boston--hattiesburg-ms-named-most-livable-cities-in-america-300102336.html |archive-date=2016-06-05 |url-status=live }}

Hurricane Maria on September 20, 2017 triggered numerous landslides in Camuy with the significant amount of rainfall.{{cite web |title=Preliminary Locations of Landslide Impacts from Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico |url=https://landslides.usgs.gov/research/featured/2017/maria-pr/ |website=USGS Landslide Hazards Program |publisher=USGS |access-date=2019-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303143147/https://landslides.usgs.gov/research/featured/2017/maria-pr/ |archive-date=2019-03-03 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Preliminary Locations of Landslide Impacts from Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico |url=https://landslides.usgs.gov/research/featured/2017/maria-pr/images/PR_Maria_LS_density_map.pdf |website=USGS Landslide Hazards Program |publisher=USGS |access-date=2019-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303143147/https://landslides.usgs.gov/research/featured/2017/maria-pr/images/PR_Maria_LS_density_map.pdf |archive-date=2019-03-03 |url-status=live }} Electricity was restored to the town center on October 4.{{Cite web|date=2017-10-04|title=Fiesta anoche en Camuy porque llegó la luz al casco urbano|trans-title=Party last night in Camuy because power returned to the urban area|url=https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/puerto-rico/notas/fiesta-anoche-en-camuy-porque-llego-la-luz-al-casco-urbano/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-21|website=Primera Hora (Puerto Rico)|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202114/https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/puerto-rico/notas/fiesta-anoche-en-camuy-porque-llego-la-luz-al-casco-urbano/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 }} However, rural areas remained without electricity until March 2018. There were catastrophic damages in Camuy with around 2000 residences damaged or completely destroyed. The hospital's roof was torn off. The 40 animal husbandry businesses in Camuy, agriculture, and tourism industries suffered heavy losses. One of the main tourist attractions in Puerto Rico located in Camuy, Parque Nacional de las Cavernas del Río Camuy was destroyed,{{cite news | title=María, un nombre que no vamos a olvidar. María barre con 2,000 casas en Camuy| trans-title=Maria, a name we will never forget. María sweeps up 2,000 homes in Camuy |newspaper=El Nuevo Día| date=2019-06-13 | url=https://huracanmaria.elnuevodia.com/2017/municipio/camuy/| language=es | access-date=2021-08-24}} and would remain closed for four years.{{cite web | title=Encaminan reapertura de las Cavernas de Camuy | website=El Nuevo Día | date=2020-10-27 | url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/negocios/turismo/notas/encaminan-reapertura-de-las-cavernas-de-camuy/ | language=es | access-date=2021-02-04}}

Geography

File:Camuyrivcaverns.jpg

Camuy belongs to the zone designated as the plateau of the northwest where the terrain is level and known as the Valley of Quebradillas. It is located in the Northern Karst zone of Puerto Rico. In the interior of the municipality the topography becomes very irregular near Cibao. This strip of land, a zone of wooded hills and depressions, divides Camuy completely into two strips, north and south. The northern strip is known as Lomas de los Puertos.{{cite web|title=Camuy Municipality General Info (Location, Square Miles, Economy and Geography)|url=https://enciclopediapr.org/en/encyclopedia/camuy-municipality/|website=enciclopediapr.org|publisher=Fundación Puertorriqueña de las Humanidades (FPH)|access-date=14 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914060730/https://enciclopediapr.org/en/encyclopedia/camuy-municipality/|archive-date=2018-09-14|url-status=live}}

The Camuy River forms part of the hydrographic system with a length of 24 miles, which at one point becomes a narrow canyon that forms one of the most beautiful cave systems in the world: the Rio Camuy Caverns, first explored in 1958. The Camuy River along with the Caverns are the 3rd largest and longest underground system in the world and the river is one of the few remaining active underground rivers in the Americas, stretching for miles. The Cibao River also forms part of the system.File:Plaza de Recreo - Camuy Puerto Rico.jpg

=Barrios=

Like all municipalities of Puerto Rico, Camuy is subdivided into barrios. The municipal buildings, central square and large Catholic church are located in a small barrio referred to as {{lang|es|"el pueblo"}}, near the center of the municipality.{{cite book|author=Gwillim Law|title=Administrative Subdivisions of Countries: A Comprehensive World Reference, 1900 through 1998|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nXCeCQAAQBAJ|access-date=25 December 2018|date=20 May 2015|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-1-4766-0447-3|page=300}}{{cite book|title=Puerto Rico:2010:population and housing unit counts.pdf|url=https://permanent.access.gpo.gov/gpo35934/cph-2-53.pdf|year=2010|publisher=U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration, U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2018-12-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220183043/https://permanent.access.gpo.gov/gpo35934/cph-2-53.pdf|archive-date=2017-02-20|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=http://welcome.topuertorico.org/maps/camuy.pdf |title=Map of Camuy |access-date=2018-12-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608194237/http://welcome.topuertorico.org/maps/camuy.pdf |archive-date=2011-06-08 |url-status=live }}

{{div col|colwidth=15em}}

  1. Abra Honda
  2. Camuy barrio-pueblo{{cite web |title=US Census Barrio-Pueblo definition |url=https://factfinder.census.gov/help/en/barrio.htm |website=factfinder.com |publisher=US Census |access-date=5 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170513190743/https://factfinder.census.gov/help/en/barrio.htm |archive-date=13 May 2017 |url-status=dead }}
  3. Camuy Arriba
  4. Cibao
  5. Ciénagas
  6. Membrillo
  7. Piedra Gorda
  8. Puente
  9. Puertos
  10. Quebrada
  11. Santiago
  12. Yeguada
  13. Zanja

{{div col end}}

=Sectors=

Barrios (which are, in contemporary times, roughly comparable to minor civil divisions) and subbarrios,{{cite web |title=P.L. 94-171 VTD/SLD Reference Map (2010 Census): Camuy Municipio, PR |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/pl10map/vtd_sld/st72_spanish/c72027_camuy/PL10VTDSP_C72027_001.pdf |website=www2.census.gov |publisher=U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Economics and Statistics Administration U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=22 August 2020 |archive-date=22 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822185523/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/pl10map/vtd_sld/st72_spanish/c72027_camuy/PL10VTDSP_C72027_001.pdf |url-status=live }} are further subdivided into smaller areas called {{lang|es|sectores}} (sectors in English). The types of sectores may vary, from normally sector to urbanización to reparto to barriada to residencial, among others.{{cite web|url=http://www.presupuesto.pr.gov/Presupuesto2015-2016/PresupuestosAgencias/229.htm|title=Agencia: Oficina del Coordinador General para el Financiamiento Socioeconómico y la Autogestión (Proposed 2016 Budget)|website=Puerto Rico Budgets|language=es|access-date=28 June 2019|archive-date=28 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628234856/http://www.presupuesto.pr.gov/Presupuesto2015-2016/PresupuestosAgencias/229.htm|url-status=live}}{{Citation | author1=Rivera Quintero, Marcia | title=El vuelo de la esperanza: Proyecto de las Comunidades Especiales Puerto Rico, 1997-2004 | year=2014 | publication-date=2014 | publisher=San Juan, Puerto Rico Fundación Sila M. Calderón | edition=first | isbn=978-0-9820806-1-0 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.lexjuris.com/lexlex/Leyes2001/lex2001001.htm|title=Leyes del 2001|website=Lex Juris Puerto Rico|language=es|access-date=24 June 2020|archive-date=14 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914224408/http://www.lexjuris.com/lexlex/Leyes2001/lex2001001.htm|url-status=live}}

=Special Communities=

{{see also|Puerto Rico Office for Socioeconomic and Community Development}}

{{lang|es|Comunidades Especiales de Puerto Rico}} (Special Communities of Puerto Rico) are marginalized communities whose citizens are experiencing a certain amount of social exclusion. A map shows these communities occur in nearly every municipality of the commonwealth. Of the 742 places that were on the list in 2014, the following barrios, communities, sectors, or neighborhoods were in Camuy: {{lang|es|Comunidad Puertos, Pueblo Norte (Calle Estrella), Pueblo Nuevo, Puente Peña (Maracayo)}}, and {{lang|es|Puente Pica}}.{{Citation|author1=Rivera Quintero, Marcia|title=El vuelo de la esperanza:Proyecto de las Comunidades Especiales Puerto Rico, 1997-2004|year=2014 |publication-date=2014| publisher=San Juan, Puerto Rico Fundación Sila M. Calderón| edition=Primera edición|page=273|isbn=978-0-9820806-1-0}}{{cite web|url=https://cpprbib.wordpress.com/biblioteca-virtual/guias-tematicas/comunidades-especiales/comunidades-especiales-de-puerto-rico/|title=Comunidades Especiales de Puerto Rico|date=8 August 2011|language=es|access-date=24 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624004414/https://cpprbib.wordpress.com/biblioteca-virtual/guias-tematicas/comunidades-especiales/comunidades-especiales-de-puerto-rico/|archive-date=24 June 2019|url-status=live}}

Demographics

{{US Census population

| 1900= 10887

| 1910= 11342

| 1920= 14228

| 1930= 16149

| 1940= 18922

| 1950= 20886

| 1960= 19739

| 1970= 19922

| 1980= 24884

| 1990= 28917

| 2000= 35244

| 2010= 35159

|estyear=

|estimate=

|estref={{cite web|url=https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911234518/http://factfinder2.census.gov/|archive-date=September 11, 2013|url-status=dead}}

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2016/PEPANNRES/0500000US72005|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 21, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426102944/http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|archive-date=April 26, 2015}}
1899 (shown as 1900){{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/reportoncensusof00unitiala#page/n245/mode/2up|title=Report of the Census of Porto Rico 1899|publisher=War Department Office Director Census of Porto Rico|access-date=September 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716033905/https://archive.org/stream/reportoncensusof00unitiala#page/n245/mode/2up|archive-date=July 16, 2017|url-status=live}} 1910-1930{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/00476569ch4.pdf|title=Table 3-Population of Municipalities: 1930 1920 and 1910|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817181600/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/00476569ch4.pdf|archive-date=August 17, 2017|url-status=live}}
1930-1950{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/23761117v1ch12.pdf|title=Table 4-Area and Population of Municipalities Urban and Rural: 1930 to 1950|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150830033735/http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/23761117v1ch12.pdf|archive-date=August 30, 2015|url-status=live}} 1960-2000{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/phc-3-53-eng.pdf|title=Table 2 Population and Housing Units: 1960 to 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724061852/https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/phc-3-53-eng.pdf|archive-date=July 24, 2017|url-status=live}} 2010{{cite book|title=Puerto Rico:2010:population and housing unit counts.pdf|url=https://permanent.access.gpo.gov/gpo35934/cph-2-53.pdf|year=2010|publisher=U.S. Dept. of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2018-12-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220183043/https://permanent.access.gpo.gov/gpo35934/cph-2-53.pdf|archive-date=2017-02-20|url-status=live}}

2020{{Cite web|publisher=United States Census Bureau|title=PUERTO RICO: 2020 Census|url=https://www.census.gov/library/stories/state-by-state/puerto-rico-population-change-between-census-decade.html|access-date=2021-08-25|website=The United States Census Bureau|language=EN-US}}|2020=32827}}

Tourism

Camuy is known for its Parque de las Cavernas del Río Camuy (Camuy River Cave Park), a large network of natural limestone caves and underground waterways shared with nearby municipalities of Hatillo and Lares. The cave system was first documented in the 1973 book Discovery At The Rio Camuy ({{ISBN|0-517-50594-0}}) by Russell and Jeanne Gurnee. The park built around the cave system features tours of some of the caves, and is one of the most popular natural attractions in Puerto Rico. The caverns were created by the Río Camuy (Camuy River), the third longest underground river in the world.{{cite web|title=Camuy Municipality Festivals, Places, Mayor|url=https://enciclopediapr.org/en/encyclopedia/camuy-municipality/#1465331493605-ebfbcb05-d799|website=enciclopediapr.org|publisher=Fundación Puertorriqueña de las Humanidades (FPH)|access-date=14 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914060730/https://enciclopediapr.org/en/encyclopedia/camuy-municipality/#1465331493605-ebfbcb05-d799|archive-date=2018-09-14|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.iexplore.com/activity/Caving/North+America |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-02-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608003008/http://www.iexplore.com/activity/Caving/North+America |archive-date=2009-06-08 |url-status=dead }} In recognition of this, the Camuy coat of arms includes a symbol for the underground river.

=Landmarks and places of interest=

There are 9 beaches in Camuy, including {{lang|es|Peñón Brussi}}.{{Cite web|url=https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/puerto-rico/nota/las1200playasdepuertorico-1216285/|title=Las 1,200 playas de Puerto Rico [The 1200 beaches of Puerto Rico]|date=April 14, 2017|website=Primera Hora|language=es|access-date=December 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212200804/https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/puerto-rico/nota/las1200playasdepuertorico-1216285/|archive-date=December 12, 2019|url-status=live}}

File:Atardecer en el Peñon de los Amadores - Camuy, Puerto Rico - panoramio.jpg

Other places of interest of Camuy include:

  • Hacienda Morell
  • Peñon Brusi Beach{{Cite web|last=Cray Ríos|first=Melissa|date=2021-03-20|title=Tiene que conocer estas bellezas de Camuy|trans-title=You must know these wonders of Camuy|url=https://www.elvocero.com/actualidad/tiene-que-conocer-estas-bellezas-de-camuy/article_533f5e70-89a5-11eb-b0e5-5b7b65ba4427.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-21|website=El Vocero|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320213859/https://www.elvocero.com/actualidad/tiene-que-conocer-estas-bellezas-de-camuy/article_533f5e70-89a5-11eb-b0e5-5b7b65ba4427.html |archive-date=March 20, 2021 }}
  • Peñon Amador Beach (Home of the Flamingo)
  • Rio Camuy Cave Park{{Cite web|title=Multi aventuras en Camuy|trans-title=Multi adventures in Camuy|url=https://www.elvocero.com/actualidad/multi-aventuras-en-camuy/article_420adf7a-616c-11e9-ac32-9bf1886e2274.amp.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-21|website=El Vocero|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420142513/https://www.elvocero.com/actualidad/multi-aventuras-en-camuy/article_420adf7a-616c-11e9-ac32-9bf1886e2274.amp.html |archive-date=April 20, 2019 }}
  • Paseo Tablado del Río Camuy (Boardwalk)
  • Ernesto Memorial Chapel{{cite web|url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/iglesia-cristiana-avivamiento-la-piedra|title=Iglesia Cristiana Avivamiento La Piedra (The Stone Church)|website=Atlas Obscura|access-date=15 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618062208/https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/iglesia-cristiana-avivamiento-la-piedra|archive-date=18 June 2019|url-status=live}}
  • Camuy History Museum{{Cite web|date=2012-06-11|title=La historia del pueblo de Camuy en un solo espacio|trans-title=The history of the town of Camuy all in one space|url=https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/puerto-rico/notas/la-historia-del-pueblo-de-camuy-en-un-solo-espacio/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-21|website=Primera Hora (Puerto Rico)|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205326/https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/puerto-rico/notas/la-historia-del-pueblo-de-camuy-en-un-solo-espacio/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 }}

To stimulate local tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic in Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company launched the Voy Turisteando (I'm Touring) campaign in 2021. The campaign featured a passport book with a page for each municipality. The {{lang|es|Voy Turisteando}} Camuy passport page lists {{lang|es|Iglesia de Piedra}}, {{lang|es|Balneario Peñon Brusi}}, and {{lang|es|Parque de Las Cavernas del Río Camuy}}, as places of interest.{{cite book | title= Pasaporte: Voy Turisteando | url= https://voyturisteando.com/78-destinos/|publisher=Compañia de Turismo de Puerto Rico | year=2021| language=es}}

Culture

=Religion=

File:Iglesia de Piedra -3 (4846220764).jpg

Camuy is first and foremost Catholic but there are other religions present in the town, including Protestant denominations such as the Pentecostals, Presbyterians, Methodists, and others. There are four Roman Catholic parishes in Camuy:

  • The San Jose Parish named after the patron of the town and located in the town square
  • The Miraculous Medal (also known as "El Calvario") in Piedra Gorda
  • The Assumption of Mary located in Quebrada
  • Our Lady of Montserrate located at Soller near the municipality of Quebradillas
  • The Ernesto Memorial Chapel, a Methodist church also known as {{lang|es|Iglesia de Piedra}} (Church of Stone) is famous and on the US National Register of Historic Places, because it was handmade with limestones.

=Sports=

The town has many local sports teams (volleyball, basketball, martial arts, swimming etc.) but most notably are their baseball teams. Many of them are part of the little league and the intermediate system but at the top the two professional Class A and Double AA baseball teams called "Los Arenosos" (Referring to the abundance of sand from the coastline).

=Festivals and Events=

The patron saint of Camuy is Saint Joseph. His day is celebrated on March 1. The patron saint festivities (Fiestas Patronales) are celebrated every year around the last 2 weeks of the month of March, the month of Saint Joseph. His official liturgical day is March 1. Other festivals and celebrations that take place in Camuy include:

  • Velorio Tres Reyes Magos or Three Kings Celebration - January
  • Mondongazo Festival - February
  • Camuy Carnival - February
  • Balseada del Río Camuy and 5k Race - March
  • Patron Festivities San José - March
  • "Reviving Our Traditions Festival" - June
  • Peñon Brussi Beach Festival - July
  • Municipal Cultural Fair - November{{Cite web |url=http://home.coqui.net/sendas/festival.html |title=Festival.HTML |access-date=2010-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804045703/http://home.coqui.net/sendas/festival.html |archive-date=2010-08-04 |url-status=live }}

Economy

=Agriculture=

File:Ruinas de la Central Ríollano de Camuy, Puerto Rico.jpg

Agriculture (sugarcane some time ago) and cattle and milk production.

=Business=

There's an active manufacturing industry in the city, including companies such as Alaska based Cazador Apparel, Seamless Textiles, Hanes, Best Quality Coop and Camuy Furniture Warehouse. SNC Technical Services is another textile manufacturer in Camuy which picked up production in 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/negocios/empresas/nota/reactivanlaindustriatextildepuertorico-2498279/|title=Reactivan la industria textil de Puerto Rico|date=10 June 2019|website=El Nuevo Dia|access-date=10 June 2019|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610060847/https://www.elnuevodia.com/negocios/empresas/nota/reactivanlaindustriatextildepuertorico-2498279/|archive-date=10 June 2019|url-status=live}}

In terms of commercial development, several fast foods franchises, banks and stores can be found in Camuy. Two strip malls are also planned to be constructed in the city.

Tourism plays an important role in Camuy's economy due in part to the Rio Camuy Caves, and Camuy's public beaches.

Government

{{main|Mayoralty in Puerto Rico}}

All municipalities in Puerto Rico are administered by a mayor, elected every four years. The current mayor of Camuy is Gabriel Hernández Rodríguez, of the New Progressive Party (PNP). He was first elected at the 2020 general elections.

The city belongs to the Puerto Rico Senatorial district III, which is represented by two Senators. In 2024, Brenda Pérez Soto and Gabriel González, both from the New Progressive Party (PNP), were elected as District Senators. [https://elecciones2024.ceepur.org/Escrutinio_General_121/index.html#es/default/SENADORES_POR_DISTRITO_Arecibo_III.xml

Transportation

In 2019, there were 4 bridges in Camuy.{{cite web|title=Camuy Bridges|url=http://bridgereports.com/pr/camuy/|website=National Bridge Inventory Data|publisher=US Dept. of Transportation|access-date=19 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220181454/http://bridgereports.com/pr/camuy/|archive-date=20 February 2019|url-status=live}}

Symbols

The {{lang|es|municipio}} has an official flag and coat of arms.{{cite web | title=Ley Núm. 70 de 2006 -Ley para disponer la oficialidad de la bandera y el escudo de los setenta y ocho (78) municipios. | website=LexJuris de Puerto Rico | url=https://www.lexjuris.com/LEXLEX/Leyes2006/lexl2006070.htm | language=es | access-date=2021-06-15}}

=Flag=

The flag is green like the coat of arms. A white undulating band runs horizontally across and is interrupted in the middle by the figure of the Camuy sun, in this case represented by the colors yellow and black.{{cite web | title=CAMUY | website=LexJuris (Leyes y Jurisprudencia) de Puerto Rico | date=19 February 2020 | url=http://www.lexjuris.com/pueblos/pueblos_files/CAMUY.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219000838/http://www.lexjuris.com/pueblos/pueblos_files/CAMUY.html | archive-date=19 February 2020 | url-status=live | language=es | access-date=16 September 2020}}

=Coat of arms=

The silver-waving stripe symbolizes the Camuy River (interrupted in the center because the river goes underground for part of its trajectory). The three tower crown distinguishes Camuy as a municipality.

Education

Camuy currently has 17 public schools{{cite web |title=P.R. Public Schools Directory |url=http://www.escuelasdepr.com/pueblos/camuy-0.html |website=escuelasdepr.com |access-date=14 February 2019 |language=es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128221734/http://www.escuelasdepr.com/pueblos/camuy-0.html |archive-date=28 January 2019 |url-status=live }} and a community college.{{cite web |title=Universal Technology College of Puerto Rico |url=http://www.unitecpr.edu/ |website=UNITEC |access-date=2019-03-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228173826/http://www.unitecpr.edu/ |archive-date=2018-12-28 |url-status=live }}

Gallery

Parroquia San Jose - Camuy, Puerto Rico - panoramio.jpg|The Camuy parish church in downtown Camuy

Flamenco and other birds in Camuy, Puerto Rico.jpg|Flamingo and other birds in Yeguada barrio in Camuy

See also

{{Portal|Puerto Rico|Geography}}

References

{{Reflist}}

Further reading

  • [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ROPVLW Discovery at the Rio Camuy (amazon link)] by Russell & Jeanne Gurnee
  • [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0963342606 El Solar Morell de Camuy: Sus Ascendientes y Descendientes (amazon link)] by P.A. Morell Muñoz