History

Founding

Moca known as "La Capital del Mundillo" (The capital of lace) it was founded by Don José de Quiñónez on April 7, 1772. Diverse versions exist on the date of its foundation. Manuel de Ubeda and Delgado, in his "Isla de Puerto Rico. "Estudio histórico, geográfico y estadístico", published in San Juan in 1878, says to us that it was founded on 1774. On the other hand, Cayetano Coll y Toste, in the "Boletín histórico de Puerto Rico", maintains that it was founded on April 7, 1772.

On August 14, 1898, The United States Armed Forces entered and took the town of Moca finding no resistance. On August 8, 1898, after the Spanish-American War officially ended, Puerto Rico became a United States territory as an outcome of the Treaty of Paris of 1898.

Flag

The rectangular flag consists of a purple equilateral triangular field, the color of the Moca tree flower. In this field appear five point stars, silver-plated, surrounding a greater gold star, also with five points.

Coat of Arms

It has oblong form. Divided in a silver-plated field and blue sky united by a purple rhombus (diamond shape), the color of the Moca flower. The rhombus has within religious symbolisms. The rhombus is surrounded, in its inferior part, by two branches of the Moca tree; in its superior part, an arc of eleven silver-plated five-point stars. Within the rhombus is a gold monogram (of the Virgin Mary) topped by a Christian crown of the same metal. A silver-lined crown in form of a three-tower castle crowns the shield. On the frontal portion of the crown, carved in gold, the word Moca. The stones of the castle are lined in blue. The doors and windows are purple.

Barrios (Districts/Wards)

• Aceitunas
• Capá
• Cerro Gordo
• Cruz
• Cuchillas
• Marías
• Naranjo
• PlataPueblo
• Rocha
• Voladoras
  

Geo/Topography

Localization: 58° 23'N and 67° 06'W of the Meridian of Greenwich. It is located in a small valley, in the skirts of "The Tuna" mountains, at 141 feet (43 m) above sea level.

Climate: Tropical with hardly noticeable seasonal changes. Temperatures throughout the year range between 76 and 98 degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 37 °C).

Hydrography: The Culebrinas river crosses its territory from east to west, and its tributaries include the gorges of Los Gatos, Lassalle, de las Damas, Vieja, Los Romanes, the Morones, Higuillo, Chiquita, Yagruma, Echeverria, Aguas Frias, Las Marias, de los Méndez, La Caraíma, Grande, y Dulce. Cerro Moca, Monte El Ojo, Monte Mariquita of the Jaicoa Mountain Range.

Agriculture

Fruits, sugar cane and some cattle ranching.

Industrial

Alarms, clothing, electronic machinery, footwear, plastic products.

Landmarks and Places of Interest

• Enrique Laguerre House
• Enriqueta Hacienda
• Julia's Mundillo Shop
• Our Lady of Monserrate Parish
• The Mercado Castles
  

Festivals and Events

• Enrique Laguerre House
• Enriqueta Hacienda
• Julia's Mundillo Shop
• Our Lady of Monserrate Parish
• The Mercado Castles

Notable Mocanos

Dr. Efraín Sánchez Hidalgo - Professor in psychology
Enrique A. Laguerre Vélez - Doctor in philosophy and letters

References

Moca and its barrios, United States Census Bureau.

Moca, Puerto Rico. (2006, September 19). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:03, October 19, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Moca%2C_Puerto_Rico&oldid=76605460