Guayanilla, Puerto Rico

File:Guayanilla, Puerto Rico. One of the houses in the company village for sugar cane workers.jpg

Guayanilla was founded by Spanish settlers. The original name was Guadianilla in memory of a river and town of the same name in main land Spain. However, it was changed to Guayanilla due to common mis-pronouncement. The name Guayanilla is derived from Santa María de Guadianilla.

Europeans settlers commence in this area in 1511. In 1756, Yauco was founded as a town. Then Guayanilla was a borough of Yauco. Due to the very fertile lands and access to the local port where most of the local commerce occurred, Guayanilla became an important agricultural center where sugarcane was cultivated. Guayanilla grew quickly and was established as a separate municipality on February 27, 1833 by Governor Miguel de la Torre.

The Autonomous Community of Puerto Rico was ceded by Spain in the aftermath of the invasion and North-American-Spanish War under the terms of the Treaty of Paris of 1898 and became a colony and territory of the United States. In 1899, the United States Department of War conducted a census of Puerto Rico finding that the population of Guayanilla was 9,540.{{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/reportoncensusof00unitiala/page/162/mode/2up?view=theater |year=1900|publisher=Washington : Govt. print. off.|page=162}}

On September 20, 2017 Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico. In Guayanilla, the hurricane triggered numerous landslides and caused major destruction with an estimated 600 homes losing their roof and 300 homes completely destroyed. Roads, crops and structures were destroyed by the winds and flooding.{{cite news | title=María, un nombre que no vamos a olvidar. Guayanilla, abatida por la crecida del río| trans-title=Maria, a name we will never forget. The river swoops down on Guayanilla|newspaper=El Nuevo Día| date=2019-06-13 | url=https://huracanmaria.elnuevodia.com/2017/municipio/guayanilla/| language=es | access-date=2022-09-11}}{{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 }}

File:Playa Ventana.jpg

On January 6, 2020 a 5.8 magnitude earthquake was felt in Guayanilla and several structures and cars were destroyed. A family of eight escaped a home that was destroyed by the earthquake.{{Cite web|url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/nota/colapsancincoresidenciasenlabarriadaesperanzaenguanicaporeltemblor-2539008/|title=Colapsan cinco residencias en la barriada Esperanza en Guánica por el temblor [Five residences in the Esperanza neighborhood of Guánica collapse as a result of the earthquake]|date=January 6, 2020|website=El Nuevo Dia|access-date=January 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107144227/https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/nota/colapsancincoresidenciasenlabarriadaesperanzaenguanicaporeltemblor-2539008/|archive-date=January 7, 2020|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfNY4IUjUDY|title=Terremoto Día de Reyes Desde el Epicentro/ Earthquake in Puerto Rico|via=www.youtube.com|access-date=2020-01-07|archive-date=2020-08-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823010519/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfNY4IUjUDY|url-status=live}}

On January 7, 2020 a 6.4 magnitude earthquake destroyed the Catholic church in Guayanilla Pueblo.{{Cite web|url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/nota/colapsalaparroquiainmaculadaconcepciondeguayanillatraseltemblor-2539160/|title=Colapsa la Parroquia Inmaculada Concepción de Guayanilla tras el temblor|date=January 7, 2020|website=El Nuevo Dia|access-date=January 7, 2020|archive-date=August 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823010505/https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/notas/colapsa-la-parroquia-inmaculada-concepcion-de-guayanilla-tras-el-temblor/|url-status=live}}

Guayanilla is located on the southern coast. The coastline forms the Guayanilla Bay, one of the best natural harbors in Puerto Rico, to the south, also. The nearest city is Ponce, which is {{Convert|12|miles}} to the east. The northern regions are bordered by mountains that reach {{Convert|3300|feet}} at the Cordillera Central. In the central regions, the terrain descends where it does not exceed 1,410 feet (430 m). Finally in the coastal plain, the elevations do not exceed {{Convert|951|feet}}. The Yauco, Guayanilla, and Macaná rivers all run through the municipality. The Yauco River briefly runs through the Boca borough, where its exit into the Caribbean Sea and accompanying marshlands are located.{{cite web|url=https://enciclopediapr.org/en/encyclopedia/guayanilla-municipality/|title=Guayanilla Municipality|publisher=Fundación Puertorriqueña de las Humanidades (FPH)|website=enciclopediapr.org|access-date=2019-03-20|archive-date=2020-08-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823010506/https://enciclopediapr.org/en/encyclopedia/guayanilla-municipality/|url-status=live}}

File:Guayanilla, Puerto Rico locator map.png

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

{{div col|colwidth=15em}}

1. Barrero
2. Boca
3. Cedro
4. Consejo
5. Guayanilla barrio-pueblo
6. Indios
7. Jagua Pasto
8. Jaguas
9. Llano
10. Macaná
11. Magas
12. Pasto
13. Playa
14. Quebrada Honda
15. Quebradas
16. Rufina
17. Sierra Baja

{{div col end}}

Barrios (which are, in contemporary times, roughly comparable to minor civil divisions){{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 }} and subbarrios,{{cite web |title=P.L. 94-171 VTD/SLD Reference Map (2010 Census): Guayanilla Municipio, PR |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/pl10map/vtd_sld/st72_english/c72059_guayanilla/PL10VTD_C72059_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=23 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823010857/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/pl10map/vtd_sld/st72_english/c72059_guayanilla/PL10VTD_C72059_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-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628234856/http://www.presupuesto.pr.gov/Presupuesto2015-2016/PresupuestosAgencias/229.htm|archive-date=28 June 2019|url-status=live}}{{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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914224408/http://www.lexjuris.com/lexlex/Leyes2001/lex2001001.htm|archive-date=14 September 2018|url-status=live}}

{{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 Guayanilla: Magas Abajo, Villa del Carmen in Playa barrio, Piedras Blancas, Playita, and San Pedro.{{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}}

To stimulate local tourism, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company launched the Voy Turistiendo ("I'm Touring") campaign, with a passport book and website. The Guayanilla page lists {{lang|es|Paseo Tablado Guayacán}}, {{lang|es|Charco Los Peces}}, and {{lang|es|Península del Río}}, as places of interest.{{cite book | title= Pasaporte: Voy Turisteando |publisher=Compañia de Turismo de Puerto Rico | year=2021| language=es}}

File:Castillo Nino.JPG

File:Eatery with flavors menu in Guayanilla, Puerto Rico.jpg (shave ice) flavors menu in Guayanilla]]

According to a news article by Primera Hora, there are 17 beaches in Guayanilla.{{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}}

• Places to visit: Mario Mercado Castle, Chorro de Oro Waterfall, El Convento Cave, Guilarte State Forest, Emajagua Beach, La Ventana Beach, Tamarindo Beach, Central Rufina Ruins. El Castillo del Niño (The Child's Castle) amusement park.
• Festivals: Town Carnival (April), Student Festival (May), Beach Festival (May), Cross Festivities (May), Fishing Festival (June), Seafood Festival (June), Our Lady of Mount Carmel Festival (July), Ladies' Marathon (November), Immaculate Conception Festivities (December).

The main industries in Guayanilla are the manufacturing of petrochemicals and the production of electricity by thermoelectrical plants. Guayanilla produces over half of Puerto Rico's electricity. The breakdown of occupations are as follows:

{{div col}}

• 22.2% : Educational, medical, and social services
• 14.5% : Public administration
• 14.5% : Construction
• 11.3% : Manufacturing
• 9.6% : Retail trade
• 6.4% : Transportation and warehousing, and utilities
• 5.3% : Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services
• 4.5% : Other services
• 3.6% : Professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services
• 2.9% : Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining
• 2.3% : Finance, insurance, real estate, and rental and leasing
• 1.8% : Wholesale trade
• 1.2% : Information

{{div col end}}

{{US Census population

| 1900= 9540

| 1910= 10354

| 1920= 12083

| 1930= 13121

| 1940= 15577

| 1950= 17402

| 1960= 17396

| 1970= 18144

| 1980= 21050

| 1990= 21581

| 2000= 23072

| 2010= 21581

|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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961227012639/http://www.census.gov/|archive-date=December 27, 1996|url-status=live}}

|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=2019-08-01|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=17784}}

According to the Census in 2000, 99.2% Hispanic of any race. 65.5% white, 11.1% black, 19.3% mixed, 5.1% other. There were 7,209 households, out of which 40.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.3% were married couples living together, 21.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.4% were non-families. 15.2% live alone, and 7.1% live alone and were over 65 years of age. The average household size was 3.19, and the average family size was 3.55.

The age distribution of the population was 30.0% under the age of 18, 11.8% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% over 65. The median age was 31 years.

The median income for a household was $11,361, and the median income for a family was $13,187. The per capita income for the city was $5,954. 57.0% of the population and 54.9% of the families were below the poverty line.

Guayanilla celebrates its patron saint festival in December. The {{lang|es|Fiestas Patronales Inmaculada Concepcion de Maria}} is a religious and cultural celebration that generally features parades, games, artisans, amusement rides, regional food, and live entertainment.

Other festivals and events celebrated in Guayanilla include:

• Youth Festival – May
• Beach Festival – May
• Cross Festival – May
• Shore Fishing Festival and Triathlon – June
• Virgen del Carmen Festival – June
• Seafood Festival – June
• Farazo Festival – July
• Town Carnival – July
• International Women's Marathon – November

{{See also|Mayoralty in Puerto Rico}}

All municipalities in Puerto Rico are administered by a mayor, elected every four years. The current mayor of Guayanilla is Raúl Rivera Rodríguez, of the New Progressive Party (PNP). He was first elected at the 2024 general elections.

The city belongs to the Puerto Rico Senatorial district V, which is represented by two Senators. In 2024, Marially González Huertas and Jamie Barlucea, from the Popular Democratic Party and New Progressive Party, respectively, were elected as District Senators.[https://elecciones2024.ceepur.org/Escrutinio_General_121/index.html#es/default/SENADORES_POR_DISTRITO_Ponce_V.xml Elecciones Generales 2024: Escrutinio General] {{webarchive|url= https://elecciones2024.ceepur.org/Escrutinio_General_121/index.html#es/default/SENADORES_POR_DISTRITO_Ponce_V.xml |date=2025-01-03 }} on CEEPUR

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}}

This municipality has a flag.{{cite web | title=GUAYANILLA | website=LexJuris (Leyes y Jurisprudencia) de Puerto Rico | date=19 February 2020 | url=http://www.lexjuris.com/pueblos/pueblos_files/GUAYANILLA.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219000405/http://www.lexjuris.com/pueblos/pueblos_files/GUAYANILLA.html | archive-date=19 February 2020 | url-status=live | language=es | access-date=22 September 2020}}

This municipality has a coat of arms.

The following schools are located in Guayanilla and students from both schools have participated in the Rose Parade in California on several occasions:{{Cite web|url=https://vocesdelsurpr.com/2019/01/banda-escolar-de-guayanilla-cumplio-sueno-de-desfilar-en-pasadena/|title=Banda Escolar de Guayanilla cumplió sueño de desfilar en Pasadena|first=Michelle Estrada|last=Torres|date=January 2, 2019|access-date=November 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103141012/https://vocesdelsurpr.com/2019/01/banda-escolar-de-guayanilla-cumplio-sueno-de-desfilar-en-pasadena/|archive-date=November 3, 2019|url-status=usurped}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.elvocero.com/escenario/banda-escolar-de-guayanilla-honra-a-keylla-hern-ndez/article_a8ef9df0-0e0d-11e9-ac8a-3faaeae6c884.html|title=Banda Escolar de Guayanilla honra a Keylla Hernández|newspaper=El Vocero de Puerto Rico|access-date=2019-11-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103141349/https://www.elvocero.com/escenario/banda-escolar-de-guayanilla-honra-a-keylla-hern-ndez/article_a8ef9df0-0e0d-11e9-ac8a-3faaeae6c884.html|archive-date=2019-11-03|url-status=live}}

• Escuela Arístides Cales Quirós
• Asunción Rodríguez de Sala

There are 35 bridges in Guayanilla.{{cite web|title=Guayanilla Bridges|url=http://bridgereports.com/pr/guayanilla/|website=National Bridge Inventory Data|publisher=US Dept. of Transportation|access-date=20 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221224155/http://bridgereports.com/pr/guayanilla/|archive-date=21 February 2019|url-status=live}}

The Nazario Collection, a set of inscribed stones discovered by Catholic priest and amateur archeologist José M. Nazario (and which popular culture links to Taíno chief Agüeybaná II), has become a cultural symbol for the municipality. The statuettes serve as the center piece of Guayanilla's Father Nazario Museum of Lithic Epigraphy.

Punta Ventana Beach in Guayanilla, Puerto Rico.jpg|The Punta Ventana window feature collapsed during the 2019 earthquakes.

Guayanilla Sea.jpg|The Caribbean Sea from Guayanilla

Countryside in Guayanilla, Puerto Rico.jpg|View of mountains in the countryside of Guayanilla

Guayanilla City Hall.JPG|Guayanilla City Hall

BEG Puerto Rico (6682485015).jpg|Guayanilla school band performing at a parade in California, US in 2012

Phormosoma placenta.jpg|Photo by NOAA, Exploring Puerto Rico's Seamounts, Trenches, and Troughs (Guayanilla)

{{Portal|Puerto Rico|Geography}}

• List of Puerto Ricans
• History of Puerto Rico
• Did you know-Puerto Rico?
• Municipalities of Puerto Rico
• Corsican immigration to Puerto Rico
• Roanoke Colony

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |year=1955 |title=Mapa de municipios y barrios - Guayanilla - Memoria Núm. 39 |url=https://rcm1.rcm.upr.edu/demografia/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2020/04/Memoria_39_Guayanilla-1955.pdf |location=University of Puerto Rico |publisher=Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, Oficina del Gobernador, Junta de Planificacion, Santurce, Puerto Rico}}

• [https://www.facebook.com/MunGuayanilla/ Guayanilla Municipality on Facebook]
• [http://pr.gov/Directorios//Pages/InfoMunicipio.aspx?PRIFA=M059 Puerto Rico Government Guayanilla] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206233402/https://pr.gov/Directorios/Pages/InfoMunicipio.aspx?PRIFA=M059 |date=February 6, 2023 }}

{{Adjacent communities

|Centre = Guayanilla

|North = Adjuntas

|Northeast =

|East = Peñuelas

|Southeast =

|South = Caribbean Sea

|Southwest =

|West = Yauco

|Northwest =

}}

{{Porta Caribe}}

{{Puerto Rico subdivisions}}

{{Subject bar|auto=y|d=y}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Municipalities of Puerto Rico

Category:Populated coastal places in Puerto Rico

Category:Populated places established in 1833

Category:Yauco metropolitan area

Category:1833 establishments in the Spanish Empire