Guayama (gwah-YAH-mah) is a municipality of Puerto Rico located on the Southern Coastal Valley region, bordering the Caribbean Sea, south of Cayey; east of Salinas; and west of Patillas and Arroyo. Guayama is spread over 9 wards and Guayama Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city).

This city of 44,301 inhabitants was founded on January 29, 1736.

History

Guayama was founded in 1736 by Matías de Abadía.

Flag
The Guayama flag is made up of three stripes of different colors; From top to Bottom; Black, Yellow and Red. To the left of the top stripe we can see the Old Mill, which today is known as the Molino de Vives.

Coat of Arms
The shield is divided in four parts and in two of them part of a chessboard appears. It has two old mill towers. The laurel trees constitute a representation of the beautiful Recreation Plaza very well known for its trimmed trees. The three silver flowers symbolize San Antonio de Padua, patron of Guayama. The crown represents Cacique Guayama, name of the town. The big crown has four towers.

Demographics

Barrios (Districts/Wards)

• Algarrobo
• Caimital
• Carite
• Carmen
• Guamaní
• Jobos
• Machete
• Palmas
• Pozo Hondo
• Blondet

Geo/Topography
Caja de Muerto island is located to the south of Guayama.
Other islands include Cayo Caribes, Isla Morrillito and Mata Redonda.
Carite Dam Gorges; Barros, Branderí , Cimarrona, Corazón , Culebra, Palmas Bajas, and Salada.
Lake Melania
Las Mareas Lagoon
Rivers; Chiquito, Guamaní, Plata and Seco

Economic

Agriculture
Fishing, Sugarcane

Industrial
Manufacturing (pharmaceuticals, chemicals and petrochemicals)

Tourism

Landmarks and places of interest

• Carite Lake Road #179, Guayama.
• Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve: Located between the coasts of Salinas and Guayama, approximately 2,883 acres of mangrove forest and freshwater wetlands. Guided tours are offered upon request and reservation. Open Daily, 8:00am to 4:00pm.
• Las Mareas Lagoon
• Luis Palés Matos Statue
• Museum Casa Cautiño: A beautiful home designed in Louisiana Creole style. Located in the town plaza. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 8:00am to 4:30pm.
• Pozuelo Beach
• Punta de las Figuras Lighthouse
• Rodeo Beach
• Vives Mill

Festivals and events

• Brujo Carnival - March
• The region around Guayama still honors African legends of sorcery and witchcraft. The *Brujo Carnival (brujo means warlock or spell) retells these old stories, and incorporates them into a weekend-long festival.
• Dulce Sueño Fair - March
• Paso Fino Fair - March
• Guayama Carnival - April
• Patron Festivities - June
• Every year, Guayama celebrates a patron saint festival. The festivities include dances, food, parades and religious processions.
• Jíbaro Festival - October
• Puertorrican Week - December

Notable "Guayameses"

• Andres Jose de Rivera
• Catalino (Tite) Curet Alonso - Composer
• Eluterio Kerkes
• Enrique Lefebre
• Fran Cervoni
• Francisco Antonio Ortiz
• Francisco G. Bruno
• Francisco Porrata Doria
• Genaro Cautiño Insúa
• Jacinto Texidor
• Joaquin Lopez Lopez
• Leopoldo Santiago Lavandero
• Luis Palés Matos - Poet
• Vicente Palés Anés
• DJ Blass - Reggaeton producer
• DJ Jova - Reggaeton producer
• Cheka - Reggaeton rapper

Guayama, Puerto Rico. (2006, October 17). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 20:36, October 19, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Guayama%2C_Puerto_Rico&oldid=82043470