Aibonito, Puerto Rico

City Of Flowers

Aibonito (ei-bo-NEE-to) is known as “the garden of Puerto Rico” and the “city of flowers”. Aibonito is known for its poultry industry as well as its flowers and ornamental plants. The patron saint is Saint Joseph, although the patron saint’s festival is dedicated to St. James the Apostle, and held around July 25. Traditionally the festivities include low Mass, ringing of bells, fireworks, contests, lanterns and charanga music.

The aiboniteños are proud of the natural beauty of their town, which makes it attractive for tourists, particularly the San Cristóbal Canyon, and the annual flower festival.

Aibonito is located is located next to the Cayey range, and its elevation of 2,401 feet above sea level makes it the highest town in Puerto Rico. The pleasant climate of the town is due to this elevation, as well as the lowest recorded temperatures on the island. This is why the town is known as “the coldest city”, “the refrigerator of Puerto Rico” and the “Switzerland of Puerto Rico”.

The municapality which is situated in the central south mountainous region of the island, is bordered on the north by Barranquitas and Cidra, on the south by Salinas and Coamo, on the east by Cidra and Cayey, and on the west by Coamo. The mountainous terrain reaches up to the central mountain range. The highest elevations are to the south, the center and the west of the town.

Geographically, Aibonito features to the south and to the north of Puerto Rico can be seen from the mountains of Aibonito such as Dead Man’s Chest Island. The San Cristóbal Canyon is located between Aibonito and Barranquitas. The Canyon has many pools, abundant vegetation, waterfalls and many cliffs. The white clay in Aibonito is used for pottery.

Manufactured products include radiators and medical and surgical equipment. Medical services, the District Court and District Attorney’s office, a produce distribution warehouse and financial cooperatives are also important economic activities.

Foundation:

Don Manuel Vélez founded Aibonito on March 13, 1824. Aibonito is derived from the Taíno Jatibonuco language which means “river at night”. This territory once belonged to the Villa de Coamo and was known as Laybonito, later Aybonito and finally Aibonito. A legend also says that the name “Aibonito” is derived from the story of a Spanish musketeer admiring the Asomante Mountain and inspired by the beauty of the place exclaimed, “¡Ay, que bonito!” (Oh, what beauty!).

The first catholic church in Aibonito was constructed in 1825. It burned down in 1887 and was replaced by the present church finished in 1897.

Aibonito is the first municipality in organizing a festival dedicated to the flowers, celebrated since 1969. The Festival of the Flowers is celebrated every July. It is considered the most important event dedicated to the island flowers.

Location:

Aibonito is located in the Central Mountain Range. Bordering it are: Barranquitas and Cidra to the north, Salinas and Coamo to the south, Cidra and Cayey to the east, and Coamo to the west.

Area:

81.6 sq km / 31.4 sq mi

Population:

26,493 (census 2000)

Population Density:

324.6 per sq km / 843.7 per sq mi

People are known as:

Aiboniteños

Aibonito is also known as:

La Ciudad de las Flores (City Of Flowers)
La Ciudad Fría (The Cold City)
El Jardín de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico’s Garden)
La Nevera De Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico’s Refrigerator)

Wards: Aibonito, Puerto Rico

Información: Negociado del Censo de los EE.UU. Censo 2000

Topography:

Geographically, Aibonito belongs to the Mountain Range of Cayey (Sierra de Cayey). The terrain is precipitous and subject to erosion. Aibonito is the highest municipality of Puerto Rico, reaching 2,401 feet above sea level. It contains the following mountains: La Sierra (2,394 feet), the Torre Degetau (2,109 feet), and the Asomante (2,042 feet). From this point the bay of San Juan and the Island of Caja de Muertos can be seen.

Hydrography:

The Cuyon, Aibonito, Usabon and La Plata rivers are part of the hydrographic system.

Climate:

Average temperature is 75º farenheit, but temperatures in the 40s have been registered. The average annual rain is 90 inches.

Economy:

Agriculture at the present time is minimal with mainly flowers, some tobacco and coffee. Part of the land is dedicated to pasture for cattle production. This municipality has deposits of white clay or kaolin used in pottery and ceramics. It also has some industrial facilities manufacturing clothing, tapestry and furniture.

Coat Of Arms:

The shield is divided in four corners or quarters. The superior left corner represents the Asomante where last battles of the Hispano-American War took place, symbolized by the sword, reproducing in the base the national colors of Spain which stand for tradition and the inherited culture.

In the right corner we find: a white band symbolizing the fog that covers the Aiboniteños valleys and mountains in winter; on a blue field, a purple color flower typical of the region and declared official by the organizers of the First Festival of the Flowers in 1969; and in the inferior end a golden lily to remember San José, patron of the Parochial Church of the town and also symbolizing the Eminence Cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez, first Puerto Rican Cardinal of the Catholic Church. He was the priest for the Aibonito Parish between the years 1957 and 1961.

In the inferior part of the shield, upon the left corner on a blue background is placed the gold tower of the Manresa House to symbolize the spiritual value that such institution represents for all Puerto Rico. In the right corner a divided mountain of green color which represents the San Cristóbal Canon with a seashell in the superior part that symbolizes Apostle Santiago in whose honor, since inmemorables times, the “Patron Festivities” have been celebrated when the artisans of the town chose a symbolic “king” to whom the Mayor gives the keys of the city. In the base there are blue and white waves that represent the aquatic wealth. The banner “Jardín de Puerto Rico” (Garden of Puerto Rico) recalls the popular characteristic of Aibonito noted for its gardens, flowers and plants and declared official of Aibonito by the organizers of the First Festival of the Flowers in 1969. In the inferior end of the flower a golden lily remembers San José, patron of the Parochial Church of the town and also symbolizes the Eminence Cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez, first Puerto Rican Cardinal of the Catholic Church. He was the priest for Aibonito between the years 1957 and 1961.

In the inferior part of the shield, left corner on a blue background the tower of the Manresa House, in gold, to symbolize the spiritual value that such institution represents for all of Puerto Rico. In the right corner a divided mountain of green color which represents the San Cristóbal Canon with a seashell in the superior part that symbolizes Apostle Santiago in whose honor, since time immemorable the “Patron Festivities” have been celebrated when the artisans of the town chose a symbolic “king” to whom the Mayor gives the keys of the city. In the base there are blue and white waves that represent the aquatic wealth. The banner “Jardín de Puerto Rico” (Garden of Puerto Rico) recalls the popular characteristic of Aibonito noted for its gardens, flowers and plants.

Hymn:

By Santa Guevara Marrero