Lares, Puerto Rico

Infobox Settlement

settlement_type =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States

subdivision_type1 = Territory
subdivision_name1 = Puerto Rico
subdivision_type2 =
subdivision_name2 =

timezone=AST
utc_offset=-4
timezone_DST=
utc_offset_DST=
unit_pref=Imperial
map_caption =Location of PAGENAME within Puerto Rico.
latNS=N
longEW=W| official_name = Lares, Puerto Rico | nickname = Ciudad del Grito", "Los Patriotas


image_
| population_blank1 = Lareños|population_blank1_title=Gentilic|
| population_blank1 = Lareños|population_blank1_title=Gentilic|

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| map_caption = Location within the island of Puerto Rico
Country |
Puerto Rico
established_date = April 26, 1827|established_title=Founded| leader_title = Mayor | leader_title=Mayor
leader_name = Hon. Roberto Pagán Centeno
political party = Partido Nuevo Progresista
leader_party = PNP
leader_title1=Senatorial dist.
leader_name1= 5 - Ponce
leader_name2 = (22) Hon. Javier Rivera-Aquino (PNP)| area_magnitude = | area_total_km2 = 161.18
area_land_km2 = 161| area_water_km2 = .18| population_as_of = 2000 | population_note =
population_total = 32999|population_footnotes= | population_density_km2 = 214.5| timezone = AST | utc_offset = -4 | timezone_DST = | utc_offset_DST = -4| latd= |latm= |lats=
longd=|longm= |longs=
latitude =
longitude =
website =
footnotes = Anthem – "En las verdes montañas de Lares" |

Lares (LAH-res) 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).

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.

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. [ [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~prhgs/fundacion_lares_01.htm History and foundation of Lares] ]

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 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) [cite web|url=http://welcome.topuertorico.org/maps/lares.pdf|title=welcome.topuertorico.org/maps/lares.pdf |format=PDF] =

*Bartolo *Buenos Aires *Callejones *Espino *Lares *Lares Pueblo *La Torre

*Mirasol *Pezuela *Piletas *Pueblo *Río Prieto

Culture

Anthem

By Luis Lloréns Torres

En las verdes montañas de Lares,
y en lucha con la adversidad,
nuestros padres lanzaron el grito,
aquel primer grito de la libertad.

Nuestros padres soñaron un día
una patria feliz conquistar,
y murieron sin ver realizado
el ideal soñado de patria y libertad.

Brazo de oro que fue en Puerto Rico
la más noble y valiente mujer,
Brazo de oro bordó la bandera
que los puertorriqueños
sabremos defender.

La blanca cruz en ella significa
ansia de patria y redención,
el rojo, la sangre vertida
por los héroes de la rebelión.
Y la estrella en la azul soledad,
libertad, libertad, libertad.

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

Landmarks and places of interest

*Castañer Settlement
*Collazo Hacienda
*El Jíbaro Park
*El Porvenir Hacienda
*Heladería de Lares (ice cream parlor)
*La Lealtad Hacienda

ports

Lares have a professional volleyball team called the Lares Patriotas (Lares Patriots) that have international players including: 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 ruled by the Partido Nuevo Progresista (PNP). The mayor of this City is Hon. Roberto Pagán Centeno.

Education

Transportation

Puerto Rico State Route 111 runs through the town.

Notable "Lareños"

*Denise Quiñones - Miss Universe 2001
* Francisco Matos Paoli - political activist
*Jose Feliciano - major Latino singer and guitar player
*Odilio González - "El Jibarito de Lares", Singer
*Marilia Levy- Miss Puerto Rico 1952 (1st Miss Puerto Rico in history)
*María del Rocío Arroyo- Miss Puerto Rico 1996
*Lydia Guzmán- Miss Puerto Rico 1997
*Brenda Liz López - Miss Puerto Rico Universe 1999 (Miss Photogenic and 8th place in Miss Universe 1999).
*Jonathan Montalvo- 1st place in the Indiana's Business Professionals of America 2006 competition and chosen as a City of Hammond, IN Heroe in 2007.
*Jonathan Rios - 3rd runner up on Season 5 of the popular singing reality competition Objetivo Fama.
* Erik Lervold - comic book artist and artist and pop culture scholar.

References

External links

* [http://www.puertohost.com/maps/lares-map.php Map of Lares Puerto Rico]
* [http://www.larespronline.com Official web of the municipality of Lares]
* [http://mispatriotas.com/ Official web page of Patriotas de Lares]