History

Founding

Vega Alta was founded in 1775 by Francisco de los Olivos it was first named La Vega de Espinoza and known as el pueblo de los Nagotaos (town of squaters). Prior to this it was part of a group of towns known as "Las Vegas". It was then that one area was named Vega Baja and the other Vega Alta.

On October 12, 1878 the city's mayor Francisco Vega, received U.S. troops as part of the Spanish-American War. On that very same day, for the first time in Vega Alta's history, the U.S. flag was lifted on city hall. From 1902 to 1905, Vega Alta became once more part of the neighbor city of Vega Baja. In 1905, the government of Puerto Rico passed a law, allowing Vega Alta to become a municipality with its own limits.

Land Area: 71.87 km² (27.75 sq mi) Water Area: 25.28 km² (9.76 sq mi) Population: 37,910 as of 2000 U.S. Census Density: 527.5 per km² (1,366.1 per sq mi) Housing Units: 13,526 Housing Density: 188.2 per km² Per Capita Income: $7,356.

Flag

It is divided vertically in seven (7) stripes in the order, colors and proportions as described: the first (the immediate one to the mast) white (5 modules); second: green (5 modules); third: white (9 modules); sixth: green, (5 modules); and seventh: white (5 modules).

Coat of Arms

It consists of three bars, the center one formed by a silver amphora from which a branch of lilies excels; it symbolizes the Inmaculada Concepción de María. The crown, indicates category of town, because it has three towers. In the shield we see two sugar cane stems, because this was product cultivated in that region.

Barrios (Districts/Wards)

• Bajura
• Candelaria
• Cienagueta
• Espinosa
• Maricao
• Mavilla
• Sabana
  

Geo/Topography

Rivers; Cibuco, Mavilla and Unibón.

Agriculture

Banana, fruits, grains and sugar cane.
Flowers and ornamental plants.
Dairy and meat cattle, pigs and poultry.

Industrial

Maufacture of chemicals, electrical and electronic machinery, furniture, food, and plastics.

Landmarks and Places of Interest

• Cerro Gordo Beach
• Vega Alta Forest

Festivals and Events

• Three Kings Fiestas - January
• Sung Rosary - February
• Vegalteño Carnival - February
• Kite Festival - July
• Virgen del Carmen Walk - July
• Rooster Festival - October
• Matron Festivities - December

Notable Vegalteños

• Albert J. LaForte Resto (AnasaZi)
• Bernie Williams
• Gilberto Concepción de Gracia - Lawyer and politician
• Gilberto Ramirez - Family Corte Judge of New York
• Jorge Seijo
• Juan Marin
• Ladislao "El Maestro Ladí" Martínez Otero - Musician and composer

Vega Alta, Puerto Rico. (2006, October 6). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 16:34, October 24, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vega_Alta%2C_Puerto_Rico&oldid=79905473