ADVERTISING INFORMATION

 Mayaguez - History

Christopher Columbus landed near the city's current site in 1492.

Faustino Martínez de Matos, Juan de Silva and Juan de Aponte founded Mayaguez in the year of 1760 under the name of “Our Lady of the Candelaria”. By tradition it is still known by the Indian name of its river. Created in 1760 as Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Mayaguez, it was elevated to the royal status of villa in 1836 and to a city in 1877. In 1918 the city and port were ravaged by an earthquake and tidal wave, but they were quickly rebuilt. Mayaguez has been one of the most progressive cities of Puerto Rico and, since the late 19^th century, has been a centre of political activity.

Mayaguez (pronounced Mah-yah-goo-ehz), located in the western part of the island of Puerto Rico, with its excellent deepwater harbour has long been the chief shipping port of western Puerto Rico and the centre of the island's needlework industry.

Today, Mayaguez is the third-largest city and is considered one of the most important cities in the island of Puerto Rico. Its population is over 100,000, the area is 200 Km², and the driving time is 2 hours from San Juan.

The city itself is centred around the impressive Spanish-style Plaza Colon, a tribute to Christopher Columbus, whose stature stands in the middle of the square, surrounded by 16 bronze statues.

© Copyright 2000 - 2004  AMERICAtravelling.net  POWERED BY wORLDTRAVELGATE.NET

Back to America

 Back to WTG