Las Piedras, Puerto Rico

Las Piedras, Puerto Rico
Municipality
Flag
Nickname(s): "Ciudad Artesanal", "Los Artesanos"
Anthem: "Somos de la Ribera"
Location of Las Piedras in Puerto Rico
Coordinates:
Country	United States
Territory	Puerto Rico
Founded	1801
Government
• Mayor	Hon. Miguel "Micky" López (PNP)
• Senatorial dist.	7 - Humacao
• Representative dist.	35
Area
• Total	33.2 sq mi (86.0 km2)
• Land	33 sq mi (86 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Population (2010)
• Total	38,675
• Density	1,200/sq mi (450/km2)
Demonym(s)	Pedreños
Time zone	AST (UTC-4)
Zip code	00771

Las Piedras (Spanish pronunciation: [las ˈpjeðɾas]) is a municipality in east Puerto Rico located in the center region of the island, north of Yabucoa; south of Canóvanas and Río Grande; east of Juncos and San Lorenzo; and west of Naguabo and Humacao. Las Piedras is spread over 7 wards and Las Piedras Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city). It is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Las Piedras, being a colorful town, has many natural attractions such as "La Cueva del Indio" which is a place that has original Indian playgrounds, caves and paintings that denote some characteristics of the ancient island's natives. Las Piedras is located about 45 minutes from San Juan, Puerto Rico's capital and 5 minutes from Palmas del Mar, Humacao which is one of the biggest resorts in the Caribbean.

History

Las Piedras was founded in 1801.

Cityscape

Barrios

• Boquerón
• Ceiba
• Collores
• Pueblo
• Montones
• Quebrada Arenas
• Tejas
• El Rio

Economy

Industry

• Manufacturing: computers and pharmaceutical.

Tourism

Landmarks and places of interest

• La Cueva del Indio
• Monte del Retiro (Archeological site)
• Artesanial Walk
• Del Indio Cavern
• Francisco Negrón Park
• Las Piedras Historic Museum
• Panoramic Route 917

Culture

Festivals and events

• Güiro Festival - March
• Typical Cultural Festival - April
• Cross Festivities - May
• Youngster's Festivities - July
• Typical Festival - September
• Pork Festival - November
• Patron Festivities - December

Government

Main article: Mayoralty in Puerto Rico

Like all municipalities in Puerto Rico, Las Piedras is administered by a mayor. The current mayor is Miguel López Rivera, from the New Progressive Party (PNP). López was elected at the 2008 general election.

The city belongs to the Puerto Rico Senatorial district VII, which is represented by two Senators. In 2012, Jorge Suárez and José Luis Dalmau were elected as District Senators.

Symbols

Flag

The flag of Las Piedras has three horizontal stripes of equal width, the stripe at the top is colored white, the center stripe is colored green and the bottom stripe is colored blue. In the middle of the flag rests an image of the Taíno sun in yellow.

Coat of Arms

In a silver field resides a blue monogram of the Holy Virgin, topped by a blue crown. Seven silver stones border the silver field and at the tip of the shield resides the Taíno sun in gold denominated as the "Sun of Las Piedras".

Notable natives

• Angel López - Singer from the acclaimed and famous worldwide group, Son By Four.

• José Luis Alejandro “Alessandro” - For 39 years, he made hair and makeup to celebrities most renowned in the world of international show business and music industry. He hosts beauty sections on Univision Network, Wapa TV and the magazine HOLA! Spain, also, he made specials articles for TV y Novelas Magazine and Buena Vida Magazine. His cuts and styles have been featured in the High Fashion Week in Barcelona and the High Fashion Week New York. Alessandro is the founder of Alessandro Salon & Spa, Inc. and on multiple occasions, has been honored as Entrepreneur of the Year by the Chamber and the Senate of Puerto Rico.

• Pedro Torres - Jiu Jitsu Competitor.

• Derrick Torres-Jiu Jitsu Competitor.

• Luis “El Artesano" Cruz - Professional Boxer.

• Yariel Morales Rivera - Mr. Puerto Rico 2015. Professional model and the only Mr. Puerto Rico (in history) from Las Piedras.

• Margaro Lopez Lopez - farmer-businessman.

• Moises Castro-Farmer, political activist married to Angelina Dávila, business woman and political activist.

• Modesto Castro Dávila - Las Piedras Major (1980-1984).

• Rafi Jimenez - Broadcaster.

• Diego Cruz-Torres (1928-1995) - Korean War Veteran. Private, Army Occupational Medal (Germany), BA in Elementary Education (Rio Piedras Campus-UPR-1962), Elementary School Teacher (1958-1964),High School Social Sciences Teacher(1968-1974), High School Mathematics and Science Teacher(1969-1981), Master in Public Health Education(1972), Health Supervisor at Yabucoa, Juncos and Las Piedras(1971-1977),Health Educator(Medical Sciences Campus -UPR-1975), General Supervisor of the "Oficina de Investigacion y Querellas de la Region Educativa de Humacao".

• Jacinto Cruz Santiago- Farmer and merchant.

• Elwood Cruz - Reporter

• Juan Manuel Lebron - Comedian

• Sotero Gómez Hernández- Puerto Rico House Representative

• Silvia Ricardo - Judge

• María Elena Gómez Velázquez - Judge. Daughter to the late Rep. Sotero Gómez Hernández, sister to Sotero Gómez Velázquez P.E.

• Carmen Benítez - Notable teacher.

• Modesto Velázquez Flores - Prosecutor

• José R. Camacho - Broadcaster.

• Eugenio López - Rancher, Boxer.

• Zenón Hernández - Writer, poet.

• Francisco Negrón Díaz - Sport and businessman.

• Miguel Loíz - Teacher, poet, composer, and Senator for Humacao district Puerto Rico.

• Miguel Hernández Agosto - Puerto Rico Senate President (1988-1992).

• Víctor Santana Pérez - Teacher, historian, writer and planner of Monte del Retiro.

• Lcdo. Benjamín García González - Lawyer, has represented Puerto Rico on the “Equal Justice Conference”. Designed and implemented the project known as “TeleAbogado” which is a system dedicated to interview and legally advice people over the phone. This system has helped thousands of citizens in Puerto Rico.

• Tomas Diaz - Clay Artisan.

• Cano Diaz - Creator of the now famous "Stringed Hammocs".

• Sotero Gómez Velázquez P.E.- Philanthropist, One-time Puerto Rico East Coast Businessman of the Year, One-Time CIAPR Distinguished Engineer, Contractor/Civil Engineer. Contracted the Museum of History of Carolina, The School of Advanced Science, Math and Technology of Carolina, among many other successful constructions. Is the son of the late Rep. Sotero Gómez Hernández, and brother to Judge María Elena Gómez Velázquez.

• José Pedraza - Holds the World Record for most pounds gained in 4 months (302 lbs). He has attained the nickname "The Slice Monster".

See also

• List of Puerto Ricans
• History of Puerto Rico
• Did you know-Puerto Rico?

References

• Las Piedras and its barrios, United States Census Bureau