Peñuelas (PAIN-wai-lahs) is a town in Puerto Rico located in the southern coast of the island, south of Adjuntas; east of Guayanilla; and west of Ponce and north of the Caribbean Sea. Peñuelas is spread over 12 wards and Peñuelas Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city).
Peñuelas is known as "La Capital del Güiro" (güiro capital) and Valle de los Flamboyanes" (valley of the flame trees). Penuelas has about 20,000 inhabitants and is known as El Valle de los Flamboyanes (The Valley of the Poinciana Trees.)
History
Founding
Peñuelas was founded in 1793 by Diego de Alvarado.
Flag
It has a rectangular bottom in yellow and stands for the sun, symbol of the physical life. In the center it has a purple or violet cross: symbol of Christianity and its ecclesiastical order; it represents the spiritual life. The cross purple extends to all the points of the yellow rectangle.
Coat of Arms
The adornment above the shield, a stone wall, represents the perpetuity. The cross represents Santo Cristo de la Salud that stopped the sea that flooded Peñuelas. The purple arm represents the priesthood and the town of Peñuelas. The yellow represents the sun. The blue and white symbolize the choppy sea and the regal ensign represents the faith in Christianity, "In God We Trust".
Demographics
Barrios (Districts/Wards)
- Barreal
- Coto
- Cuevas
- Encarnación
- Jaguas
- Macaná
- Quebrada Ceiba
- Rucio
- Santo Domingo
- Tallaboa Alta
- Tallaboa Poniente
- Tallaboa Saliente
Geo/Topography
Rivers are: Guayanés, Macaná and Tallaboa.
Economic
Business
Customer service.
Industrial
Manufacturing.
Landmarks and Places of Interest
- Charco de Soplaera (water pool)
- Convento Caverns
- Don Angel Pacheco Monument
- Guilarte Forest
- Unknown Soldier Monument
Festivals and Events
- Güiro National Fiesta - May
- Patron Celebrations - March
- Vuelta cyclista - Bicycle tour
Transportation
Public bus service which connects you to Ponce city (east) and guayanilla (west).
Education
6 Elementary schools, 4 Intermediate Schools, 1 High School.
Sports
Peñuelas AA Amateur Baseball team is called Los Petroleros de Peñuelas (The Peñuelas' Oilers.) The origin of this name dates back to the days when Peñuelas was home to a major petro-chemical complex known as Corco. Although Corco closed operations in 1980, the name stuck throughout the years.
Also known as Luis "tite" Arroyo's hometown, a baseball hero.
Notable Peñolanos
- Alfonso Santiago - Catholic University History Director
- Lorenzo A. Balazquiede - Writer
- Luis Díaz Hernández - Writer
Peñuelas, Puerto Rico. (2006, October 14). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 22:29, October 19, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pe%C3%B1uelas%2C_Puerto_Rico&oldid=81399049
