History

Barceloneta was founded by Don Bononcio Llenza Feliú on July 1, 1881. It was one of the last municipalities created by the Spanish government in Puerto Rico. Barceloneta was named in honor of Barceloneta, a neighborhood in Barcelona, Spain where the founder was born.

Both Barceloneta and Florida were originally part of Manati. Because of its location next to the Manati River, and its natural bay in Palmas Altas, Barceloneta was for a while site of an important port activity, not only in the shipment of sugar from the first Sugar Cane Mill (La Catalana, or "the Catalonian", but also as a passenger route to New York and Barcelona. Don Bonocio's son was the owner of a sail ship that made those routes.

Barceloneta is also known as the Industrial City, the Pineapple City, The Indian City or/and Sixto Escobar's City

Flag

The flag is a rectangular adaptation of the former Coat of Arms, as are its colors, with the variation of omitting the flowers of "guajana" (sugar cane flower) and that the blazon's gold and silver are substituted by yellow and white, respectively.

Coat of Arms

The sugar cane flowers (guajanas) symbolize the source of life of the old agricultural economy of Barceloneta. The blue symbolizes the beaches and marine ports of great importance for industry and commerce. Its crown consists of three towers.

Barrios (Districts/Wards)

• Garrochales
• Florida Afuera
• Palmas Altas

Geo/Topography

• Cambalache Reserve
• The Grande de Manatí River

Business

Barceloneta has the biggest pharmaceutical complex in the world (14 industries). It is known that these companies have chosen Barceloneta to establish their facilities for its underground water reservoirs. The water in Barceloneta is so pure that it requires very little treatment for use in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products.

Tourism

Barceloneta is also famous for its black sand beaches, due to the high iron content found in the sand.

Landmarks and Places of Interest

• Antiguo Muelle (Old Seaport)
• Cambalache Reserve
• Caño Tiburones Marshland
• La Monserrate Refinery Ruins
• Las Criollas Beach
• Marqués de la Esperanza Hacienda Ruins
• Palmas Altas Beach
• Sixto Escobar Museum

Festivals and Events

• Plácido Acevedo Tribute - June
• Las Criollas Beach Festival - June
• Tipical Musical Festival - June
• Virgen del Carmen Festivities - July
• Bomba & Plena Festival - October

Notable "Barcelonetences"

• Benito de Jesús Negrón - Musician
• Lic. Francisco Díaz Marchand - Lawyer
• Lic. Juan Cancel Ríos - Lawyer
• Sixto Escobar Vargas - The first Puerto Rican to win a boxing championship of the National Boxing Association.

Barceloneta, Puerto Rico. (2006, September 13). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 19:31, October 12, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Barceloneta%2C_Puerto_Rico&oldid=75528328