Arecibo, Puerto Rico

The name Arecibo comes from the Taíno chief Xamaica Arasibo, cacique of the yucayeque (Taíno settlement) of Abacoa where the Spanish town of Arecibo was settled in 1556. The word Arasibo itself most likely comes from the Taíno words ara, possibly meaning or related to "people", and siba, most likely meaning "rock" or "stone". This name also lends itself to the name of the river which flows through the municipality into the Atlantic Ocean.{{Cite web|title=What does arasibo mean?|url=https://www.definitions.net/definition/arasibo|access-date=2021-10-07|website=www.definitions.net}}

Some of the city's nicknames are: Villa del Capitán Correa ("Villa of Captain Correa"), after Captain Antonio de los Reyes Correa, a Spanish soldier who famously and successfully defended the city from a British invasion; La Muy Leal ("the very loyal [one]") after the title often granted to Spanish colonial cities; and Diamante del Norte ("Diamond of the North") due to the city's location in the northern coast of the island.{{Cite web|title=Sabias Que...?|url=http://arecibo.50megs.com/sabias.html|access-date=2021-10-07|website=arecibo.50megs.com}}

When the Spanish arrived, they found the area occupied by the indigenous Taíno, led by Xamaica Arasibo, Cacique (chief) of the yucayeque (town) then named Abacoa.{{cite web|title=Arecibo Municipality Founding History and Symbols|url=https://enciclopediapr.org/en/encyclopedia/arecibo-municipality/#1465331233922-61915a4b-ef14|website=enciclopediapr.org|publisher=Fundación Puertorriqueña de las Humanidades (FPH)|language=en|access-date=14 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214152605/https://enciclopediapr.org/en/encyclopedia/arecibo-municipality/#1465331233922-61915a4b-ef14|archive-date=14 February 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web | title=Dictionary of the Taino Language | website=taino-tribe.org | url=http://www.taino-tribe.org/terms1.htm | language=es | access-date=6 June 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013032642/http://www.taino-tribe.org/terms1.htm | archive-date=13 October 2007 | url-status=dead }} Spanish colonists settled Arecibo in 1556, which they named for the cacique. It was their fourth settlement on the island, after Caparra (which later became San Juan), San German, and Coamo.Salvador Perea. Historia de Puerto Rico: 1537–1700. Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña and Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico. 1972. p. 96. ("Coamo...que fue así la tercera población oficial de vida perpetua en la isla.") Arecibo was officially founded as a town[https://enciclopediapr.org/en/encyclopedia/arecibo-municipality/#1465331233922-61915a4b-ef14 "Arecibo: Founding and History.''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214152605/https://enciclopediapr.org/en/encyclopedia/arecibo-municipality/#1465331233922-61915a4b-ef14 |date=2019-02-14 }} Accessed 11 September 2019. by the Spanish crown on May 1, 1616, under the governorship of Captain Felipe de Beaumont y Navarra, when the King of Spain granted the land (and the Taino living there) to Lope Conchillos.

For some time the island was competed for by other European powers. On August 5, 1702, Captain Antonio de los Reyes Correa, commanding 30 militiamen, successfully defended Arecibo from an attack by two Royal Navy warships under William Whetstone. Whetstone's ships landed 40 marines and sailors on two rowboats, but Correa's troops ambushed the invaders, killing 22 and forcing the remainder to retreat. Spanish cannon fire also killed 8 men onboard Whetstone's ships. The Spanish defenders suffered one killed and three wounded, including Correa. This gave the city its nickname "The Village of Captain Correa".

In 1778, Arecibo, by royal decree, was awarded the "Villa" status, though it was not integrated as such until 1802. In 1850 it was awarded the "Muy Leal" (very loyal) title. Over time, large part of its territory became separate municipalities. These include Manati, Barceloneta, Florida, Utuado, Jayuya, Hatillo, Camuy, Quebradillas and Isabela. In 1982, it was promoted to city status, though it continued to be known by its previous nickname.

Hurricane Maria on September 20, 2017, triggered extensive flooding, and damage to infrastructure with over 3,000 people losing their homes. Two hospitals were damaged and the hurricane caused deaths as well.{{cite web | title=María, un nombre que no vamos a olvidar – Arecibo |trans-title=Maria, a name we will never forget – Arecibo | website=El Nuevo Día| date=2019-06-13 | url=https://huracanmaria.elnuevodia.com/2017/municipio/arecibo/ | language=es | access-date=2021-08-24}}

Arecibo is located in the Northern Coastal Plain region of Puerto Rico, extending inland into the Northern Karst region. It lies on the Atlantic Ocean; north of Utuado; east of Hatillo; and west of Barceloneta and Florida. The city occupies an area of 127 square miles (330 km²), of which, {{convert|45.23|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}}, is water.{{cite web |url=http://www.topuertorico.org/city/arecibo.shtml |title=Arecibo, Puerto Rico |publisher=Topuertorico.org |date=1947-03-31 |access-date=2013-11-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102171200/http://www.topuertorico.org/city/arecibo.shtml |archive-date=2013-11-02 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|title=Arecibo Municipality General Info (Location, Square Miles, Economy and Geography)|url=https://enciclopediapr.org/en/encyclopedia/arecibo-municipality/|website=enciclopediapr.org|publisher=Fundación Puertorriqueña de las Humanidades (FPH)|access-date=14 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214152605/https://enciclopediapr.org/en/encyclopedia/arecibo-municipality/|archive-date=14 February 2019|url-status=live}}

The Rio Grande de Arecibo is the main river in the municipality, running through the middle of it. South of the municipality, in the karst region, it forms the Dos Bocas Lake, a primary source of water for Northern Puerto Rico. Several rivers feed the Rio Grande, including the Tanama River. Caño Santiago is an artificial canal created in the 19th century by partially diverting the Tanama River's waters tobarrios a small temporary stream, to supply water to poor neighborhoods in Arecibo, discharging into the Arecibo River near its own mouth. In the 1950s it was modified to pass slightly more south of the city center. Poor maintenance, sediment and pollution has turned the canal once again into a temporary stream. East of the river lies Caño Tiburones, an important marshland area that provides habitat for many kinds of birds and wildlife.

Arecibo has two forest reserves. Cambalache State Forest is located along the Barceloneta municipal limits, while Rio Abajo State Forest is located between Arecibo and Utuado. Caves include Cueva Ventana, which overlooks the valley formed by the Rio Grande de Arecibo, and Cueva del Indio (Cave of the Indian), where paintings made by prehistoric indigenous peoples have been seen.

Environmental impact studies have been done to consider remedies for flooding that often occurs in Arecibo.{{cite book|title=Rio Grande de Arecibo, Puerto Rico: Environmental Impact Statement|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jzk0AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA40|year=1991|pages=40–}}

File:Arecibo, Puerto Rico locator map.png

Like all municipalities of Puerto Rico, Arecibo 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 web |url=http://welcome.topuertorico.org/maps/arecibo.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324204920/http://welcome.topuertorico.org/maps/arecibo.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2018-03-24 |title=Map of Arecibo at the Wayback Machine|access-date=2018-12-29 }}

{{div col|colwidth=15em}}

1. Arecibo 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 }} including Jareales subbarrio
2. Arenalejos
3. Arrozal
4. Cambalache
5. Carreras
6. Domingo Ruíz
7. Dominguito
8. Esperanza
9. Factor
10. Garrochales
11. Hato Abajo
12. Hato Arriba
13. Hato Viejo
14. Islote
15. Miraflores
16. Río Arriba
17. Sabana Hoyos
18. Santana
19. Tanamá

{{div col end}}

{{Further|List of barrios and sectors of Arecibo, Puerto Rico}}

Barrios (which for US census purposes, are like minor civil divisions) in turn are further subdivided into smaller local populated place areas/units called 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}}{{Citation | author1=Rivera Quintero, Marcia | title=El vuelo de la esperanza: Proyecto de las Comunidades Especiales Puerto Rico, 1997–2004 | 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}}

{{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 Arecibo:

{{lang|es|Animas – Factor 1, Sector Los Muertos in Arrozal, Sector El Jobo in Rio Arriba, Sector El Valle in Rio Arriba, Buenos Aires (Magallanes), Calichoza, Canta Gallo, Carreras, Cruz Roja, El Cerro – Factor 1, Abra San Francisco, El Vigía, Esperanza (Cienagueta), La Planta, Palo Blanco,}} and {{lang|es|Sector Carolina in Sabana Hoyos}}.{{Citation|author1=Rivera Quintero, Marcia|title=El vuelo de la esperanza:Proyecto de las Comunidades Especiales Puerto Rico, 1997–2004|publication-date=2014| publisher=San Juan, Puerto Rico Fundación Sila M. Calderón| edition=Primera edición|page=273|isbn=978-0-9820806-1-0}}

Tropical monsoon climate, occasionally also known as a tropical wet climate or tropical monsoon and trade-wind littoral climate in climate classification, is a relatively rare type of climate. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Am". (Tropical Monsoon Climate).{{Cite web |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=785285&cityname=Arecibo%2C+Puerto+Rico%2C+United+States+of+America&units= |title=Climate Summary |access-date=2013-05-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812125937/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=785285&cityname=Arecibo%2C+Puerto+Rico%2C+United+States+of+America&units= |archive-date=2014-08-12 |url-status=live }}

{{Weather box

| width = auto

| collapsed = yes

| single line = yes

| location = Arecibo Observatory (elevation: {{convert|1060|ft}}) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1980–present)

| Jan record high F = 93

| Feb record high F = 94

| Mar record high F = 94

| Apr record high F = 93

| May record high F = 94

| Jun record high F = 97

| Jul record high F = 97

| Aug record high F = 95

| Sep record high F = 95

| Oct record high F = 96

| Nov record high F = 93

| Dec record high F = 92

| year record high F = 97

|Jan avg record high F = 86.3

|Feb avg record high F = 87.1

|Mar avg record high F = 88.5

|Apr avg record high F = 89.7

|May avg record high F = 90.7

|Jun avg record high F = 91.6

|Jul avg record high F = 91.7

|Aug avg record high F = 91.5

|Sep avg record high F = 91.8

|Oct avg record high F = 90.7

|Nov avg record high F = 88.4

|Dec avg record high F = 86.3

|year avg record high F = 93.7

| Jan high F = 79.9

| Feb high F = 80.7

| Mar high F = 81.9

| Apr high F = 83.2

| May high F = 84.7

| Jun high F = 86.7

| Jul high F = 86.6

| Aug high F = 86.4

| Sep high F = 86.3

| Oct high F = 85.5

| Nov high F = 82.4

| Dec high F = 80.7

| year high F = 83.8

| Jan mean F = 70.4

| Feb mean F = 70.6

| Mar mean F = 71.3

| Apr mean F = 72.8

| May mean F = 74.6

| Jun mean F = 76.3

| Jul mean F = 76.4

| Aug mean F = 76.7

| Sep mean F = 76.5

| Oct mean F = 75.8

| Nov mean F = 73.6

| Dec mean F = 71.6

| year mean F = 73.9

| Jan low F = 61.0

| Feb low F = 60.6

| Mar low F = 60.6

| Apr low F = 62.4

| May low F = 64.5

| Jun low F = 65.9

| Jul low F = 66.3

| Aug low F = 66.9

| Sep low F = 66.7

| Oct low F = 66.1

| Nov low F = 64.7

| Dec low F = 62.6

| year low F = 64.0

|Jan avg record low F = 55.8

|Feb avg record low F = 57.1

|Mar avg record low F = 57.1

|Apr avg record low F = 58.7

|May avg record low F = 61.4

|Jun avg record low F = 63.6

|Jul avg record low F = 63.6

|Aug avg record low F = 63.2

|Sep avg record low F = 64.1

|Oct avg record low F = 63.5

|Nov avg record low F = 60.9

|Dec avg record low F = 58.1

|year avg record low F = 53.2

| Jan record low F = 45

| Feb record low F = 48

| Mar record low F = 47

| Apr record low F = 47

| May record low F = 51

| Jun record low F = 54

| Jul record low F = 52

| Aug record low F = 50

| Sep record low F = 53

| Oct record low F = 50

| Nov record low F = 54

| Dec record low F = 47

| year record low F = 45

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation inch = 4.33

| Feb precipitation inch = 3.45

| Mar precipitation inch = 5.28

| Apr precipitation inch = 7.43

| May precipitation inch = 10.40

| Jun precipitation inch = 6.71

| Jul precipitation inch = 6.87

| Aug precipitation inch = 9.53

| Sep precipitation inch = 9.91

| Oct precipitation inch = 8.29

| Nov precipitation inch = 7.55

| Dec precipitation inch = 4.83

| year precipitation inch = 84.58

| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

| Jan precipitation days = 12.3

| Feb precipitation days = 10.2

| Mar precipitation days = 11.7

| Apr precipitation days = 13.5

| May precipitation days = 16.1

| Jun precipitation days = 12.7

| Jul precipitation days = 15.0

| Aug precipitation days = 15.7

| Sep precipitation days = 16.7

| Oct precipitation days = 17.0

| Nov precipitation days = 16.3

| Dec precipitation days = 13.6

| year precipitation days = 170.8

| source = NOAA{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=sju

|title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|access-date = April 8, 2024}}{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=RQC00660426&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|access-date = April 8, 2024}}

}}

{{Weather box

| width = auto

| collapsed = yes

| single line = yes

| location = Dos Bocas, Puerto Rico ({{convert|200|ft}}) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1937–present)

| Jan record high F = 96

| Feb record high F = 94

| Mar record high F = 96

| Apr record high F = 98

| May record high F = 98

| Jun record high F = 99

| Jul record high F = 98

| Aug record high F = 100

| Sep record high F = 100

| Oct record high F = 98

| Nov record high F = 97

| Dec record high F = 96

| year record high F = 100

|Jan avg record high F = 88.0

|Feb avg record high F = 89.0

|Mar avg record high F = 90.4

|Apr avg record high F = 91.6

|May avg record high F = 93.2

|Jun avg record high F = 94.7

|Jul avg record high F = 94.2

|Aug avg record high F = 94.5

|Sep avg record high F = 93.9

|Oct avg record high F = 92.9

|Nov avg record high F = 90.1

|Dec avg record high F = 88.6

|year avg record high F = 95.7

| Jan high F = 84.9

| Feb high F = 85.6

| Mar high F = 86.3

| Apr high F = 87.5

| May high F = 88.6

| Jun high F = 90.8

| Jul high F = 90.9

| Aug high F = 90.7

| Sep high F = 90.6

| Oct high F = 89.9

| Nov high F = 87.3

| Dec high F = 85.5

| year high F = 88.2

| Jan mean F = 74.7

| Feb mean F = 74.7

| Mar mean F = 75.3

| Apr mean F = 77.0

| May mean F = 78.7

| Jun mean F = 80.4

| Jul mean F = 80.8

| Aug mean F = 81.0

| Sep mean F = 80.5

| Oct mean F = 79.9

| Nov mean F = 78.0

| Dec mean F = 75.9

| year mean F = 78.1

| Jan low F = 64.5

| Feb low F = 63.8

| Mar low F = 64.2

| Apr low F = 66.5

| May low F = 68.7

| Jun low F = 70.0

| Jul low F = 70.8

| Aug low F = 71.2

| Sep low F = 70.4

| Oct low F = 69.8

| Nov low F = 68.6

| Dec low F = 66.2

| year low F = 67.9

|Jan avg record low F = 60.3

|Feb avg record low F = 60.0

|Mar avg record low F = 60.4

|Apr avg record low F = 62.5

|May avg record low F = 64.6

|Jun avg record low F = 67.1

|Jul avg record low F = 67.8

|Aug avg record low F = 68.4

|Sep avg record low F = 67.7

|Oct avg record low F = 67.0

|Nov avg record low F = 65.0

|Dec avg record low F = 62.1

|year avg record low F = 58.1

| Jan record low F = 50

| Feb record low F = 51

| Mar record low F = 51

| Apr record low F = 52

| May record low F = 52

| Jun record low F = 59

| Jul record low F = 58

| Aug record low F = 60

| Sep record low F = 59

| Oct record low F = 58

| Nov record low F = 58

| Dec record low F = 50

| year record low F = 50

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation inch = 3.61

| Feb precipitation inch = 3.46

| Mar precipitation inch = 4.82

| Apr precipitation inch = 6.82

| May precipitation inch = 10.23

| Jun precipitation inch = 5.81

| Jul precipitation inch = 5.36

| Aug precipitation inch = 8.12

| Sep precipitation inch = 9.69

| Oct precipitation inch = 8.45

| Nov precipitation inch = 7.34

| Dec precipitation inch = 4.54

| year precipitation inch = 78.25

| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

| Jan precipitation days = 14.1

| Feb precipitation days = 11.6

| Mar precipitation days = 12.8

| Apr precipitation days = 14.2

| May precipitation days = 17.4

| Jun precipitation days = 13.1

| Jul precipitation days = 15.3

| Aug precipitation days = 17.3

| Sep precipitation days = 17.7

| Oct precipitation days = 16.9

| Nov precipitation days = 17.0

| Dec precipitation days = 14.5

| year precipitation days = 181.9

| source = NOAA{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=sju

|title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|access-date = April 8, 2024}}{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=RQC00663431&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|access-date = April 8, 2024}}

}}

The Arecibo Harbor is managed by the Puerto Rico Ports Authority.{{cite web |title=Arecibo Harbor PR |url=https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Portals/44/docs/CongressionalFS/A/Arecibo_Harbor_O-M_CFS14.pdf |website=SAJ |publisher=US Army Corps of Engineers |access-date=2019-02-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227101657/http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Portals/44/docs/CongressionalFS/A/Arecibo_Harbor_O-M_CFS14.pdf |archive-date=2016-12-27 |url-status=live }}

File:Catedral de Arecibo 2.jpg

Arecibo is one of the oldest colonial towns in Puerto Rico (1616). Among its historic buildings is the Cathedral of Saint Philip the Apostle, built beginning in the late 18th century. The first church, built in the middle of the 17th century, was destroyed by an earthquake in 1787. Construction of its replacement began soon after, although it was not completed until 1846. Four days after its dedication, another earthquake seriously damaged it. Repairs were not completed until 1882. The 1918 earthquake damaged the vault so badly that it was replaced by a flat concrete roof; a vaulted ceiling of composition board was placed inside.

The cathedral of Arecibo is Puerto Rico's second-largest church after the Cathedral of San Juan. The plan is rectangular with three naves; the side naves are cut short to allow large flanking chapels, which occupy almost half the length of the church. The apse is semicircular, and has an unusual half-dome covering it. The facade is a triangular composition of three stages. The top stage, a short central tower, is a later addition, according to local architects and historians. Neoclassic ornamentation is used in an academic fashion on the lowest stage, but the other two show a less traditional use of bands and pilasters. The Renaissance-style windows are uncommon in Puerto Rican churches, but the central tower over the entrance is a common motif used throughout the island.

File:Arecibo town hall.jpg

The City Hall, built in 1866, served as jail to revolutionaries of El Grito de Lares in 1868. In the 1918 earthquake, the frontal section of the building was destroyed. When repairs were made, a tower and clock were added to the building. In 1978, the building was restored to its original form.

The City Hall of Arecibo is typical of these regional seats of government. It is relatively modest in size, of stuccoed masonry, with an academically correct composition, having a pedimented center pavilion which projects slightly. The lower story is rusticated, with arched openings; the three doorways in the center giving the effect of a loggia. The upper windows all have segmental pediments and balconies; the central trio share one long balcony. Architectural detailing is modest, but the building is graceful and charming.

In 1898 the Spaniards built the Punta Los Morrillos Lighthouse. It was automated in 1964 and is still in use. A small park, Arecibo Lighthouse and Historical Park, has been established around it.

The Arecibo Observatory was the home of Arecibo telescope, once the largest single-aperture radio telescope ever constructed and one of the world's most powerful radar-radio telescopes. The observatory's purpose was to support scientific studies. It attracted several Hollywood directors who have filmed there; most recently GoldenEye and Contact. The radio telescope was used in 1974 to send the Arecibo message to space. The telescope collapsed in 2020.

Casa Ulanga was originally a residence built by Spanish immigrant Francisco Ulanga, and has served multiple uses over the years. It was used as a bank, store, city hall of Arecibo, hospital, jail, tribunal, and is now operated as the Arecibo Cultural Center.

File:Cueva del Indio aerial, PR.jpg

{{lang|es|Cueva del Indio}} is an archeological site where Taíno drawings can be found.

The "Birth of the New World" is a statue depicting Christopher Columbus and is located in Islote, Arecibo.{{in lang|es}} [http://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/nota/anuncianfechadeinauguraciondelaestatuadecolonenarecibo-2048801/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524130051/http://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/nota/anuncianfechadeinauguraciondelaestatuadecolonenarecibo-2048801|date=2016-05-24}}{{cite web |url=http://www.elnuevodia.com/laestatuadecolonllegaraaarecibo-1224480.html |title=La estatua de Colón llegará a Arecibo |author=Sandra Caquías Cruz |work=El Nuevo Día |language=es |date=2012-03-30 |access-date=2012-06-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113175022/http://www.elnuevodia.com/laestatuadecolonllegaraaarecibo-1224480.html |archive-date=2013-11-13 |url-status=live }} {{convert|295|ft|m|abbr=on}}. The statue is the work of Russian sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, and it is the tallest statue in the Americas.{{cite web|url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/la-estatua-de-colon|title=La Estatua de Colón|website=Atlas Obscura|access-date=15 June 2019}}

Other places of interest in Arecibo include:

• The Cambalache Forest Reserve
• Dos Bocas Lake which is a reservoir located between the municipalities of Arecibo and Utuado.
• Paseo Victor Rojas (Victor Rojas Walk) also known as {{lang|es|Paseo de Damas}} or simply {{lang|es|El Fuerte}}, was built in 1881 where the Fort San Miguel's ruins once were
• Manuel "Petaca" Iguina Coliseum which is home of the Arecibo Captains basketball team.

File:Museo de Arte e Historia de Arecibo, Puerto Rico - panoramio.jpg

• Museum of Art and History of Arecibo which has art from local artists and shows the city's history

Arecibo beaches include Los Morillos, Los Negritos, Poza del Obispo, and Las Tunas. {{lang|es|Pozo del Obispo}} Beach in Arecibo is considered a dangerous beach.{{cite web | title=Conoce las 11 playas más peligrosas de Puerto Rico [Know the 11 most dangerous beaches in Puerto Rico]| website=El Nuevo Día | date=2018-07-04 | url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/fotogalerias/conoce-las-11-playas-mas-peligrosas-de-puerto-rico/ | language=es | access-date=2021-05-13}}

To stimulate local tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic in Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company launched the Voy Turistiendo (I'm Touring) campaign in 2021. The campaign featured a passport book with a page for each municipality. The {{lang|es|Voy Turisteando}} Arecibo passport page lists {{lang|es|Cueva Ventana}}, {{lang|es|Museo Casa Trina Padilla de Sanz}}, and the Arecibo Light House and Historical Park, 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}}

Arecibo began celebrating its patron saint festival in 1616.{{cite web | title=T.4 Album Historico de Arecibo | website=Issuu | date=May 5, 2023 | url=https://issuu.com/coleccionarecibo/docs/t.4_album_historico_de_arecibo0001 | access-date=August 7, 2023}} Arecibo celebrates its patron saint festival in May. The {{lang|es|Fiestas Patronales de San Felipe Apostol}} is a religious and cultural celebration that generally features parades, games, artisans, amusement rides, regional food, and live entertainment.{{cite web | title=Puerto Rico Festivales, Eventos y Actividades en Puerto Rico | website=Puerto Rico Hoteles y Paradores | url=https://www.puertoricohotelesparadores.com/festivales-eventos-actividades | language=es | access-date=2020-07-17 | archive-date=February 26, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226163727/https://www.puertoricohotelesparadores.com/festivales-eventos-actividades | url-status=dead }}

Other festivals and events celebrated in Arecibo include:

• Bicycle competition – January
• {{lang|es|Festival de Paracaidismo}} (Parachuting festival) – February{{cite web | title=Festival de Paracaidismo celebra 17 años de adrenalina | website=NotiCel | date=2019-02-08 | url=https://www.noticel.com/deportes-cool/deportes/20190208/festival-de-paracaidismo-celebra-17-anos-de-adrenalina/ | language=es | access-date=2020-07-18}}
• Arecibo Carnival – February
• Folklore Festival – July
• Beach festival – July
• Artisan Fair – September
• Cetí Festival – November
• Centennial of the Puerto Rican flag – December

Arecibo has two professional sports franchises, the Lobos de Arecibo in the Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League (a.k.a. Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente or LBPRC), and the Capitanes de Arecibo in the National Superior Basketball League (Baloncesto Superior Nacional or BSN).

The Lobos won the 1983 then-known Liga de Béisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico (LBPPR) national baseball championship and the 1983 Caribbean World Series, the only time the franchise won both titles. At that time, they had MLB prospect Dickie Thon, then also of the Houston Astros, on their roster. Thon then suffered a life-threatening and career-affecting eye injury during an Astros game in 1984. The Lobos won a championship again in 1996.

The Capitanes won their first ever BSN national championship in 1959. After that, the Capitanes have not had much luck in their basketball tournaments for the next few decades. However, that would begin to change in 2002, as they started to turn things around, by reaching the BSN semifinals; yet they lost the series to the Vaqueros de Bayamón by losing four straight games, after having a 3–0 series lead, thus failing their chances to make into the finals. In 2005, the Capitanes won the BSN national championship by defeating the Vaqueros de Bayamón in a four-game sweep. This was the first championship in 46 years. In 2007 they got to the finals, losing in the overtime on the seventh game of the series against the Cangrejeros de Santurce. In 2008 Arecibo won their third BSN national championship, this time against the Gigantes de Carolina. In 2010, they won their fourth BSN national title in six seasons, this time against the Vaqueros de Bayamón.

• WCMN-FM – Hot 102 107.3 FM (re-transmitter)
• WCMN-AM – NotiUno 1280 AM
• WNIK-FM – Super K 106 FM
• WNIK-AM – Radio Unica
• WMIA-AM – MIA Radio Arecibo 1070 AM {{Cite web |url=http://www.wmia1070.com/ |title=Official web page of WMIA (AM) |access-date=2018-12-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504220619/http://www.wmia1070.com/ |archive-date=2018-05-04 |url-status=dead }}

File:20180315-OC-PJK-0742 TONED (40991530032).jpg

Arecibo's economy is diverse with pharmaceuticals, agriculture and fishing. Vaqueria Ceiba Del Mar is located in Arecibo and is one of the largest on the island of Puerto Rico. They also have operations in Hatillo. After Hurricane Maria, the farm had to consolidate their three operations into one.

Arecibo's main shopping mall is Plaza del Atlantico as well as the one situated in the neighboring town of Hatillo, Plaza del Norte.

In 2021, Hilton was constructing a hotel in Arecibo.{{cite web | last=Díaz | first=Marian | title=Hilton abrirá dos hoteles en Arecibo y Condado de la mano de una empresa local |trans-title= Hilton will open two hotels in Arecibo and Condado together with a local business | website=El Nuevo Día | date=2021-07-20 | url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/negocios/empresas-comercios/notas/ihp-hospitality-abrira-dos-nuevo-hoteles-en-condado-y-arecibo/ | language=es | access-date=2021-07-20}}

Arecibo is home to Fortune 500 corporations such as Merck, General Electric. Other important companies are Thermo King Corporation, Eaton, Los Cidrines, Expressway Eco Printing, Arecibo Tropical Flag and ABB.

{{US Census population

|1900= 36910

|1910= 42429

|1920= 46578

|1930= 56525

|1940= 69192

|1950= 75361

|1960= 69879

|1970= 73468

|1980= 86766

|1990= 93385

|2000= 100131

|2010= 96440

|estyear=

|estimate=

|estref={{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 21, 2017}}

|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://archive.today/20200213114938/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2016/PEPANNRES/0500000US72005|archive-date=February 13, 2020}}
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=2019-06-10|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|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=87754}}According to the 2010 Census the municipality of Arecibo is 99% Hispanic of which 78% identifies as white (of European descent), 4.6% black (Afro-Puerto Rican descent), and 1.2% with two or more races.{{Cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Arecibo Municipio, Puerto Rico|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/arecibomunicipiopuertorico/BZA010219|access-date=2021-06-17|website=www.census.gov|language=en}} The majority of the population is mostly of Spanish descent, but there has been intermarriage with more recent groups from other parts of Europe, with some having Middle Eastern, French, Italian, American or of other descent. People who are multi-racial may also have ancestors more than one of the European groups, and among more than one African nation as well.

Puerto Rico was ceded by Spain in the aftermath of the Spanish–American War under the terms of the Treaty of Paris of 1898 and became a territory of the United States. In 1899, the United States conducted its first census of Puerto Rico finding that the population of Arecibo was 36,910.

{{See also|Mayoralty in Puerto Rico}}

All municipalities in Puerto Rico are administered by a mayor, elected every four years. The current mayor of Arecibo is Carlos (Tito) Ramírez Irizarry, of the Popular Democratic Party (PPD). 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

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}} The flag and coat of arms were adopted in 1968 with Resolution 12 passed by the government of Arecibo.{{cite letter| first = Roberto | last = Beascoechea Lota| recipient = Institute of Puerto Rican Culture| subject = Flag and coat of arms of Arecibo, Puerto Rico| language = Spanish| date = April 29, 1968}}{{cite letter

| first = Enrique | last = Rodriguez| recipient = Roberto Beascoechea Lota| subject = Copy of Resolution Number 12 of the Arecibo, Puerto Rico for the adoption of the flag and coat of arms| language = Spanish| date = May 8, 1968}}

The flag of Arecibo derives its composition and colors from the coat of arms of the city. It is divided vertically in two equal parts. The left side is blue having a belt that stands for "Captain Correa", a local military hero from Spanish times. The right side is made up of blue and yellow diamonds alternating in a checkerboard pattern referring to the coat of arms of Felipe de Beaumont y Navarra, governor of Puerto Rico (1614–1620) and founder of the city. The crown represents The Cacique (chieftain) Arasibo (Fransico Jamaica Arasibo). The turtles represent the ancientness of the city (the third city of Puerto Rico) also because of the indigenous people of the region and that the hunting of turtles was a source of wealth. The towers were a form to describe the population of a settlement. Three towers represent a municipality, four towers represent a village, and five towers represent a city.{{cite web | title=ARECIBO | website=LexJuris (Leyes y Jurisprudencia) de Puerto Rico | date=19 February 2020 | url=http://www.lexjuris.com/pueblos/pueblos_files/ARECIBO.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219001211/http://www.lexjuris.com/pueblos/pueblos_files/ARECIBO.html | archive-date=19 February 2020 | url-status=live | language=es | access-date=16 September 2020}}

File:Smithsonian 1901 map of Puerto Rico caciques.png

The shield is divided by diagonal lines in golden and blue rhombuses with a blue stripe in the superior part, in which resides an opened five-point crown and which is adorned with drawings characterizing the art of the Taínos. The people of Arecibo also honored Captain Antonio de los Reyes Correa by including a gold colored belt in their coat of arms with the words "Muy Leal", which means "Very Faithful", in representation of Correa.{{Cite web |url=http://www.prfrogui.com/home/arecibo.htm |title=Arecibo |access-date=2009-11-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412182447/http://www.prfrogui.com/home/arecibo.htm |archive-date=2010-04-12 |url-status=live }} This combination of symbols represents the Indian Cacique (Chieftain) from whom the population's name derives, the governor that erected the town and the hero Captain Correa who defended the town from a British invasion.

Arecibo is known as "La Villa del Capitán Correa" (Captain Correa's Villa) after the Puerto Rican hero Captain Antonio de los Reyes Correa of the Spanish Army, who drove off a British Navy invasion by ambushing forces led by rear-admiral William Whetstone. Arecibo is also known as "El Diamante Del Norte" (The Diamond of the North).

File:Puente Victor Rojas, Arecibo, Puerto Rico - panoramio.jpg

Arecibo has a small noncommercial airport, named Antonio (Nery) Juarbe Pol Airport, which currently has no commercial airline flights.

PR-22 (unsigned Interstate PR-2) passes through the city, but bypasses downtown. Downtown can be accessed via PR-2, PR-10 and PR-129.

There are 51 bridges in Arecibo.{{cite web|title=Arecibo Bridges|url=http://bridgereports.com/pr/arecibo/|website=National Bridge Inventory Data|publisher=US Dept. of Transportation|access-date=19 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220122737/http://bridgereports.com/pr/arecibo/|archive-date=20 February 2019|url-status=live}}

The {{lang|es|Puente Victor Rojas}} collapsed during Hurricane Georges in 1998 but was rebuilt.{{cite web |title=Flood of September 22, 1998, in Arecibo and Utuado, Puerto Rico |url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/wri/wri01-4247/pdf/wri01_4247.pdf |website=pubs.usgs.gov |access-date=29 July 2020}} Despite it being an important bridge leading into the urban downtown center of Arecibo, it was closed again in early 2017 due to damage caused by the sea and reopened in 2021 after repairs.{{cite web | title=Sin fecha de reapertura el puente Víctor Rojas en Arecibo | website=El Nuevo Día | date=2017-01-19 | url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/notas/sin-fecha-de-reapertura-el-puente-victor-rojas-en-arecibo/ | language=es | access-date=2020-08-25}}{{Cite web|last=Marrero|first=Juan|title=Alcalde ordena abrir puente listo hace dos semanas y esperaba por corte de cinta|url=https://www.metro.pr/pr/noticias/2021/02/26/alcalde-ordena-abrir-puente-listo-hace-dos-semanas-y-esperaba-por-corte-de-cinta.html|access-date=2021-06-17|website=Metro|date=February 26, 2021 |language=es}}

File:High school in Arecibo, Puerto Rico (1920) - photograph - page 147.jpg

The first school in Arecibo was established on October 12, 1805.{{cite web | title=Crónicas de Arecibo. (Apuntes históricos.) (1850–1930) |last= Coll y Toste|first= Cayetano| website=Internet Archive | date=2020-06-10 | url=https://archive.org/details/crnicasdearecibo00coll | access-date=2021-02-19}}

Today, Arecibo is home to several public and private schools distributed through its barrios. Public education is handled by the State Department of Education. There are also several colleges and universities located in the city including:

• University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo
• Interamerican University of Puerto Rico
• Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
• National University College

It also has several other technical institutions like ICPR Junior College.

{{See also|Category:People from Arecibo, Puerto Rico}}

The following is a list of notable people from Arecibo:

• Antonio de los Reyes Correa – military hero
• Arasibo – Taino Cacique
• Cayetano Coll y Cuchí – the first President of Puerto Rico House of Representatives
• Cayetano Coll y Toste – historian
• Delma S. Arrigoitia – author
• Edna Coll – educator
• Francisco Gonzalo Marín – poet who fought for Cuba's independence
• Isabel Cuchí Coll – journalist
• José Coll y Cuchí – politician; founder of Puerto Rican Nationalist Party
• Luisa Capetillo – union leader/civil rights activist
• Manuel Zeno Gandía – author
• María Cadilla – educator
• Melba Acosta – Secretary of Treasury of PR
• Myrta Silva – singer
• René Marqués – playwright
• Ruben Natal-San Miguel – photographer
• Samuel Garcia Roman – artist
• Iann Dior – Rapper and singer
• Vanya Quiñones - university president

Leones del Fuerte, Plaza Colon, Arecibo, Puerto Rico - panoramio.jpg|Lion in Plaza Colón

Playa La Poza del Obispo - Arecibo, Puerto Rico - panoramio (1).jpg|{{lang|es|Playa La Poza del Obispo}} in Arecibo

Plaza Colon, Arecibo, Puerto Rico - panoramio.jpg|Buildings in Plaza Colon in Arecibo downtown ({{lang|es|pueblo}})

Arecibo beach.jpg| A beach in Arecibo

20180315-OC-PJK-0073 TONED (26162694337).jpg|Cow from {{lang|es|Vaquería Ceiba Del Mar}} in Arecibo

Faro de Punta los Morrillos.jpg|{{lang|es|Punta los Morrillos}} lighthouse

Edificio Oliver.jpg|Edificio Oliver

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |year=1953 |title=Mapa de municipios y barrios – Arecibo – Memoria Núm. 31 |url=https://rcm1.rcm.upr.edu/demografia/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2020/04/Memoria_31_Arecibo-1953.pdf |location=University of Puerto Rico |publisher=Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, Oficina del Gobernador, Junta de Planificacion, Santurce, Puerto Rico}}

{{Portal|Puerto Rico|Geography}}

• [http://pr.gov/Directorios/Pages/DirectoriodeMunicipios.aspx Puerto Rico Government Directory] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190315093910/http://www2.pr.gov/directorios/pages/directoriodemunicipios.aspx |date=March 15, 2019 }}

{{Adjacent communities

|Centre = Arecibo

|North = Atlantic Ocean

|Northeast =

|East = Barceloneta, Florida

|Southeast = Ciales

|South = Utuado

|Southwest =

|West = Hatillo

|Northwest =

}}

{{Porta Atlántico}}

{{Puerto Rico subdivisions}}

{{Subject bar|auto=y|s=1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Arecibo|d=y}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Municipalities of Puerto Rico

Category:San Juan–Caguas–Guaynabo metropolitan area

Category:Populated places established in 1556

Category:1550s establishments in the Spanish West Indies

Category:1556 establishments in the Spanish Empire

Category:16th century in Puerto Rico