| Official name | Lares, Puerto Rico |
|---|
| Native name lang | es |
|---|
| Settlement type | Municipality |
|---|
| Imagesize | 300px |
|---|
| Nickname | Ciudad del Grito", "Los Patriotas |
|---|
| Anthem | "En las verdes montañas de Lares" |
|---|
| Map caption | Location of Lares in Puerto Rico |
|---|
| Coordinates type | region:US_type:city |
|---|
| Coordinates display | inline,title |
|---|
| Coordinates region | US-PR |
|---|
| Subdivision type | Country |
|---|
| Subdivision name | United States |
|---|
| Subdivision type1 | Territory |
|---|
| Subdivision name1 | Puerto Rico |
|---|
| Established title | Founded |
|---|
| Established date | April 26, 1827 |
|---|
| Leader party | PNP |
|---|
| Leader title | Mayor |
|---|
| Leader name | Hon. Roberto Pagán Centeno |
|---|
| Leader title1 | Senatorial dist. |
|---|
| Leader name1 | 5 - Ponce |
|---|
| Leader name2 | (22) Hon. Javier Rivera-Aquino (PNP) |
|---|
| Area magnitude | 1 E9 |
|---|
| Area total km2 | 161.18 |
|---|
| Area land km2 | 161 |
|---|
| Area water km2 | .18 |
|---|
| Population total | 32999 |
|---|
| Population as of | 2000 |
|---|
| Population density km2 | auto |
|---|
| Population demonym | Lareños |
|---|
| Timezone1 | AST |
|---|
| Utc offset1 | -4 |
|---|
| Postal code type | Zip code |
|---|
| Area code type | Area code |
|---|
Lares () is a small mountain
municipality of
Puerto Rico's central-western area located north of
Maricao and
Yauco; south of
Camuy, east of
San Sebastián and
Las Marias; and west of
Hatillo,
Utuado and
Adjuntas. Lares is spread over 10 wards and Lares Pueblo (Downtown Lares). It is part of the
Aguadilla-Isabela-San Sebastián Metropolitan Statistical Area.
A city adorned with Spanish-era style churches and small downtown area stores, Lares is a breezy area that is about 1.5 hours from San Juan by car.
Lares has one major claim to fame: The 1868 uprising that happened there, brought on by pro-independence rebels who wanted Puerto Rico to gain its freedom from Spain. The movement, known thereafter as El Grito de Lares (literally, The Cry of Lares, or Lares Revolt), was soon extinguished, making Lares the site of the shortest lived republic ever.
The flag of Lares is now considered by many Puerto Ricans to be their symbol of independence. Initially developed to represent the island's struggle to gain its emancipation from Spain, the flag is now used by those struggling to liberate the island from the United States.
Denise Quinones, Miss Universe 2001 lives in Lares.
History
Lares was founded in April 26, 1827 by Francisco de Sotomayor and Pedro Vélez Borrero. The city was named after one of its settlers,
Don Amador de Lariz a Spanish nobleman.
Flag
The origins of the municipality's flag can be traced back to the days of the failed attempt to rebel against Spanish rule in 1868 know as the
Grito de Lares. The flag is derived from the
Dominican Republic flag of 1844-49 (since the rebel leaders wished to eventually join with the Dominican Republic and Cuba into one nation) and was knitted by
Mariana Bracetti, a revolutionary leader, at the behest of Dr.
Ramón Emeterio Betances, the revolt's leader, who designed it. This flag is formed by a white Latin cross in the center. The width of the arms and base are equal to a third part of the latitude of the emblem. It has two quadrilaterals located above and two below the arms the cross. The superior (top) ones are blue and inferior (bottom) ones red. A five point white star is located in the center of the left superior (top) quadrilateral.
Coat of Arms
A white cross is centered on and extends across the shield from side to side and top to bottom; it has blue top quadrants and red bottom quadrants; it has a five pointed white star in the upper left quadrant. A chain that surrounds the shield. The Coat of Arms as described has positioned around it on a scroll and a ribbon in a semicircle the words: "Lares Ciudad del Grito." This constitutes the stamp of Lares and identifies unmistakably the municipality of Lares.
Barrios (Districts/Wards)
Bartolo
Buenos Aires
Callejones
Espino
Lares
Lares Pueblo
La Torre
Mirasol
Pezuela
Piletas
Pueblo
Río Prieto
Culture
Festivals and events
Feast of the Three Kings - January
Romantic Party - February
Almojabana Festival - March
Founding of Lares - April
Handcrafted market - May
Banana (Guineo) Festival - June
Cultural World Contest - August
Grito de Lares - September
Bonsai Gathering - October
Feast of the Patron Saint - December
cristobal cuevas
Landmarks and places of interest
Castañer Settlement
Collazo Hacienda
El Jíbaro Park
El Porvenir Hacienda
Heladería de Lares (ice cream parlor)
La Lealtad Hacienda
Cristobal Cuevas Signs, Orlando,Fl.
Sports
Lares has a professional volleyball team called
Patriotas de Lares (Lares Patriots) that have international players including: Brock Ullrich, Gregory Berrios, Ramon "Monchito" Hernandez, and Ariel Rodriguez. The Patriotas won 3 championships, in 1981, 1983 and 2002. In 1981 and 1983 they beat Corozal in the finals and in 2002 they beat Naranjito.
Some of the Native playes were: David Vera 1979, Rigoberto Guiyoti 1979, Modesto 1980, Luis Vera 1980, Carlos Vera 1980,
Economy
Lares' economy is primarily agricultural. Harvested products include; bananas, coffee, oranges, and tomatoes.
Tourism also plays a significant role in the municipality's economy. The Heladeria de Lares (Lares Ice Cream Shop) is well known around Puerto Rico for its unorthodox selection of ice cream including; rice and beans ice cream.
Demographics
Government
Lares is now administered by the Partido Nuevo Progresista (PNP). The mayor of this City is Hon. Roberto Pagán Centeno.
Transportation
Puerto Rico State Route 111 runs through the town.
References
External links
Official web of the municipality of Lares
Official web page of Patriotas de Lares
Category:Populated places established in 1827
Category:Municipalities of Puerto Rico
Lares
Category:Aguadilla – Isabela – San Sebastián metropolitan area
