Rincón, Puerto Rico

Rincón (Spanish pronunciation: [riŋˈkon]) is a popular beach town and municipality of Puerto Rico founded in 1771 by Don Luis de Añasco, who previously founded Añasco in 1733. It is located in the Western Coastal Valley, west of Añasco and Aguada. Rincón is spread over 9 barrios and Rincón Pueblo (the downtown area and the administrative center of the city). It is part of the Aguadilla-Isabela-San Sebastián Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Rincón
Municipio Autónomo de Rincón
Santa Rosa de Rincón
Town and Municipality
Autonomous Municipality of Rincon
Closeup of ocean, sand, tree trunk and sunset shining through at Maria's Beach
Sunset at Maria's Beach in Rincón
Flag of Rincón, Puerto Rico
Flag
Nicknames: 
"El Pueblo de los Bellos Atardeceres", "Pueblo del Surfing"
Anthem: "Rincón es mi pueblo querido"
Map of Puerto Rico highlighting Rincón Municipality
Map of Puerto Rico highlighting Rincón Municipality
Coordinates: 18°20′25″N 67°15′06″W
Commonwealth Puerto Rico
First settled1770
Founded byDon Pablo de Arroyo
Named forSaint Rose of Lima and Don Gonzalo de Rincón the original landowner who allowed for the settlement. "Saint Rose of Rincon
Barrios
10 barrios
Government
 • MayorCarlos López Bonilla (PPD)
 • Senatorial dist.4 – Mayagüez
 • Representative dist.18
Area
 • Total29.4 sq mi (76.12 km2)
 • Land13.9 sq mi (36 km2)
 • Water15.5 sq mi (40.12 km2)
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total15,187
 • Rank69th in Puerto Rico
 • Density520/sq mi (200/km2)
DemonymRincoeños
Time zoneUTC-4 (AST)
ZIP Code
00677
Area code787/939
Major routes
Websitewww.rincon.org

The municipality is home to many of the surfing beaches in Puerto Rico, including Domes, Marias,[2] Tres Palmas, Sandy Beach, Pools Beach, Córcega Beach and Rincón Town Beach. The word "Rincón" means "nook" in Castilian Spanish. Rincón is in the north, on the westernmost tip of Puerto Rico.

Rincon has a large population of Non-Hispanic whites(most from the mainland United States and United Kingdom) when compared to the rest of the Island. Its known to suffer strong gentrification from the increasing Mainland US population moving to the Municipality(Puerto Ricans & Non-Hispanic combined) leading to higher rent prices and higher prices in other commodities such as groceries when compared to neighboring cities.

History
Home in Rincón destroyed by Hurricane Maria
Hurricane Maria relief efforts in Rincón on October 15, 2017

Rincón was founded in 1771 by Don Luis de Añasco. In 1885, Benito Cumpiano was mayor of Ríncon and in 1890, Victor Cumpiano was Ríncon's mayor.[3]

Puerto Rico was ceded by Spain in the aftermath of the Spanish–American War under the terms of the Treaty of Paris of 1898 and became a territory of the United States. In 1899, the United States Department of War conducted a census of Puerto Rico finding that the population of Rincón was 6,641.

On September 20, 2017 Hurricane Maria struck the island of Puerto Rico. In Rincón, infrastructure was damaged and about 400 homes were damaged or completely destroyed. Intense rainfall and winds triggered numerous landslides.[4][5] The storm surge bought 4 feet of water into homes on the coast.[6]

Geography

Rincón is located on the western coast of Puerto Rico,[7] on the westernmost tip.[8]

Updated flood zone maps (as of 2019) show that Rincón is extremely vulnerable to flooding, along with Humacao, Toa Baja, Barceloneta, and Corozal. For its high levels of erosion, Rincón is vulnerable in the case of a major hurricane.[9]

Barrios

Like all municipalities of Puerto Rico, Rincón is subdivided into barrios. The municipal buildings, main central square and large Catholic church are located in a downtown barrio referred to as "el pueblo".[10][11][12][13]

  1. Atalaya
  2. Barrero
  3. Calvache
  4. Cruces
  5. Ensenada
  6. Jagüey
  7. Pueblo, (not to be confused with Rincón barrio-pueblo)
  8. Puntas
  9. Rincón barrio-pueblo
  10. Río Grande

Sectors
Further information: List of barrios and sectors of Rincón, Puerto Rico

Barrios (which are like minor civil divisions)[14] in turn are further subdivided into smaller local populated place areas/units called sectores (which means sectors in English). The types of sectores may vary, from normally sector to urbanización to reparto to barriada to residencial, among others.[15]

Special Communities
See also: Puerto Rico Office for Socioeconomic and Community Development

Comunidades Especiales de Puerto Rico (Special Communities of Puerto Rico) are marginalized communities whose citizens are experiencing a certain amount of social exclusion. A map shows these communities occur in nearly every municipality of the commonwealth. Of the 742 places that were on the list in 2014, the following barrios, communities, sectors, or neighborhoods were in Rincón: La Playa Sector in Barrero, Cerro Los Pobres, El Pico in Atalaya, Hoyo Caliente, and Parcelas Stella.[16][17]

Bodies of water
  • Gorges: Caño García, Quebrada Grande de Calvache, Quebrada Los Ramos, Quebrada Piletas, Punta Ensenada.
  • River: Río Grande

Economy
Punta Higüeras Lighthouse

The 1968 World Surfing Championship was held at Domes Beach in Rincón. Since then, surfers from around the world have been visiting Rincón.

Rincón has a tourism economy which also boasts scuba diving, snorkeling, and sunsets.[18] Rincón has also been an area for internet-based companies to set up shop.

In 2007, Rincón was the site for the ISA World Masters where local surfer Juan Ashton won first place in the Masters division.

Agriculture

Fruits and sugarcane are the primary sources of agriculture in Rincón. Cattle ranching also is popular.

Industry
Casa Isleña Inn in Rincón

The major industry of Rincón is tourism.[19][20]

The Boiling Nuclear Superheater (BONUS) Reactor Facility, also known to the locals as "the Domes", is a decommissioned nuclear plant. The construction of BONUS started in 1960, and the reactor had its first controlled nuclear chain reaction on April 13, 1964, achieving full power operation in September 1965. Operation of the BONUS reactor was terminated in June 1968 because of technical difficulties and the ensuing need for high-cost modifications.[21] General decontamination of the reactor was performed with the goal of meeting unrestricted use criteria in all accessible areas of the building. Residual radioactive materials remaining in the structure were isolated or shielded to protect site visitors and workers. During subsequent years, more radioactive contamination was identified in portions of the building, and additional clean-up and shielding activities were conducted in the 1990s and early 2000s.[21] It was Puerto Rico's only nuclear reactor.

Demographics

Rincón reported the smallest decline in population of any Puerto Rican municipality between the 2010 and 2020 censuses (no municipality recorded an increase). The population fell by only 13, less than 0.1% of the overall population.[22]

As of 2020, 5.1% of the population is of non-Hispanic origin, making Rincón the least Hispanic municipality on the Puerto Rican mainland. This represents an increase from 2010, when only 3.6% of the population was non-Hispanic.[23]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19006,641—
19107,2759.5%
19208,47616.5%
19308,178−3.5%
19409,25613.2%
19509,8886.8%
19608,706−12.0%
19709,0944.5%
198011,78829.6%
199012,2133.6%
200014,76720.9%
201015,2002.9%
202015,187−0.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[24]
1899 (shown as 1900)[25] 1910–1930[26]
1930–1950[27] 1960–2000[28] 2010[12] 2020[29]

Tourism

"Art Walk", a community initiative to build the social fabric of Rincón, takes places every Thursday. Locals and tourists mingle in the main town square Plaza de recreo in downtown Rincón to enjoy food, drinks, music and local art.[30]

Landmarks and places of interest

There are 53 beaches in Rincón.[31] Main attractions of Rincón include:

Culture

Surfing
Mar Azul Surf Shop in Rincón

Rincón is well known as a surfing destination. Rincón rose to international recognition through the 1968 World Surfing Championship, which was held at Domes and Maria's Beaches. The winter surf along Rincón's coast is some of the best in the region. Generally regarded as one of the best surf spots across the globe, Rincón draws surfers from around the world and is the center of the island's surf scene. Dubbed the "Caribbean's Hawaii," winter waves here can approach 25–30 feet (6.7m) in height, sometimes equaling the force of the surf on Oahu's north shore. Famed surfing beaches in town include Little Malibu, Tres Palmas, Maria's, Indicators, Domes, Pools, Sandy Beach and Antonio's. The best time to surf is from November through March, but summer storms can also kick up the surf during the late summer.

Festivals and events

Rincón celebrates its patron saint festival in September. The Fiestas Patronales de Santa Rosa de Lima is a religious and cultural celebration that generally features parades, games, artisans, amusement rides, regional food, and live entertainment.[7][32]

Other festivals and events celebrated in Rincón include:

Government
Main article: Mayoralty in Puerto Rico

Like all municipalities in Puerto Rico, Rincón is administered by a mayor. The current mayor is Carlos López Bonilla, from the Popular Democratic Party (PPD). López was elected at the 2000 general election.

The city belongs to the Puerto Rico Senatorial district IV, which is represented by two senators. In 2016, Luis Daniel Muñiz Cortés and Evelyn Vázquez were elected as district senators.[33]

Transportation

There are 8 bridges in Rincón.[34]

Symbols

The municipio has an official flag and coat of arms.[35]

Flag

Created and designed by Evaristo Cardona Moreno and art performed by Jose Luis Cardona Martinez (his eldest son). The colors of the Rincón flag are red, orange, yellow, green and white. The triangle has a five-pointed white star representing the urban zone. There are white stars of equal size which represent the 9 barrios. The red and orange symbolize the vitality and vigor of its people. The yellow symbolizes Christianity, the green symbolizes vegetation and hope for progress and the white symbolizes the integrity between its barrios and urban zone.[36]

Coat of arms

Created and designed by Angel L. Cardona Moreno, the shield consists of a green and orange Spanish blazon, with a yellow band inclined left to right. To the right and on a green background a cross, symbol of Christendom. To the left and on an orange background a Spanish ship, symbol of the discovery of Puerto Rico, in the coasts of Rincón (this is greatly disputed, as the towns of Aguada, Rincón, and Añasco all claim entry-point status).[36]

Notable people

Some of the scenes in Rincón:

  • House on water
    House on water
  • Steps Beach
    Steps Beach
  • Domes Beach
    Domes Beach
  • Flamboyan
    Flamboyan
  • Sunset
    Sunset
  • South of Rincón
    South of Rincón
  • Rainbow over hills
    Rainbow over hills
  • Sunset
    Sunset
  • Beach
    Beach

See also

References
  1. Bureau, US Census. "PUERTO RICO: 2020 Census". The United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  2. "History of Maria's Beach | Maria's Beach". Archived from the original on July 23, 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  3. Puerto Rico. Office of Historian (1949). Tesauro de datos historicos: indice compendioso de la literatura histórica de Puerto Rico, incluyendo algunos datos inéditos, periodísticos y cartográficos (in Spanish). Impr. del Gobierno de Puerto Rico vol. 2. p. 306. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  4. "Preliminary Locations of Landslide Impacts from Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico". USGS Landslide Hazards Program. USGS. Archived from the original on March 3, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  5. "Preliminary Locations of Landslide Impacts from Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico" (PDF). USGS Landslide Hazards Program. USGS. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 3, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  6. "María, un nombre que no vamos a olvidar. "Parece como si hubiera caído una bomba nuclear en Rincón"" [Maria, a name we will never forget. "It looks like a nuclear bomb hit Rincón"]. El Nuevo Día (in Spanish). June 13, 2019. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  7. "Rincón Municipality". enciclopediapr.org. Fundación Puertorriqueña de las Humanidades (FPH). Archived from the original on October 27, 2017. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  8. Places to go Puerto Rico (2021 ed.). Axesa Servicios de Información, S. en C. p. 96. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  9. Alvarado León, Gerardo E. "Sobre 250,000 estructuras están en zonas inundables" (PDF). Junta de Planificación – Gobierno de Puerto Rico (in Spanish). El Nuevo Día. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 13, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  10. Picó, Rafael; Buitrago de Santiago, Zayda; Berrios, Hector H. (1969). Nueva geografía de Puerto Rico: física, económica, y social, por Rafael Picó. Con la colaboración de Zayda Buitrago de Santiago y Héctor H. Berrios. San Juan Editorial Universitaria, Universidad de Puerto Rico,1969. Archived from the original on December 26, 2018. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  11. Gwillim Law (May 20, 2015). Administrative Subdivisions of Countries: A Comprehensive World Reference, 1900 through 1998. McFarland. p. 300. ISBN 978-1-4766-0447-3. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  12. Puerto Rico:2010:population and housing unit counts.pdf (PDF). U.S. Dept. of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration U.S. Census Bureau. 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 20, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  13. "Map of Rincón at the Wayback Machine" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 24, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  14. "US Census Barrio-Pueblo definition". factfinder.com. US Census. Archived from the original on May 13, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  15. "PRECINTO ELECTORAL LARES 053" (PDF). Comisión Estatal de Elecciones (in Spanish). PR Government. June 14, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  16. Rivera Quintero, Marcia (2014), El vuelo de la esperanza: Proyecto de las Comunidades Especiales Puerto Rico, 1997–2004 (First ed.), San Juan, Puerto Rico Fundación Sila M. Calderón, p. 273, ISBN 978-0-9820806-1-0
  17. "Comunidades Especiales de Puerto Rico" (in Spanish). August 8, 2011. Archived from the original on June 24, 2019. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  18. Barbara Balletto (2003). Insight Guide Puerto Rico. Langenscheidt Publishing Group. pp. 196–. ISBN 978-981-234-949-1. Archived from the original on December 28, 2018. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  19. "The Rincón Puerto Rico Online Guide". Archived from the original on September 1, 2010. Retrieved November 10, 2010.
  20. "The Official Tourism Association of Rincon Homepage. Hotels, Vacation Rentals, Activities and More!". Archived from the original on March 8, 2008. Retrieved January 26, 2008.
  21. "BONUS, Puerto Rico, Decommissioned Reactor Fact Sheet" (PDF). Legacy Management. Department of Energy. April 4, 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 19, 2009. Retrieved November 6, 2009.
  22. Bureau, US Census. "PUERTO RICO: 2020 Census". The United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  23. Bureau, US Census. "PUERTO RICO: 2020 Census". The United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  24. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  25. "Report of the Census of Porto Rico 1899". War Department Office Director Census of Porto Rico. Archived from the original on July 16, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  26. "Table 3-Population of Municipalities: 1930 1920 and 1910" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 17, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  27. "Table 4-Area and Population of Municipalities Urban and Rural: 1930 to 1950" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 30, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  28. "Table 2 Population and Housing Units: 1960 to 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 24, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  29. Bureau, US Census. "PUERTO RICO: 2020 Census". The United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  30. "Art Walk, A Community Effort to Revitalize Rincón's Social Infrastructure". June 27, 2019.
  31. "Las 1,200 playas de Puerto Rico [The 1200 beaches of Puerto Rico]". Primera Hora (in Spanish). April 14, 2017. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  32. "Puerto Rico Festivales, Eventos y Actividades en Puerto Rico". Puerto Rico Hoteles y Paradores (in Spanish). Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  33. Elecciones Generales 2012: Escrutinio General Archived January 15, 2013, at the Wayback Machine on CEEPUR
  34. "Rincón Bridges". National Bridge Inventory Data. US Dept. of Transportation. Archived from the original on February 20, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  35. "Ley Núm. 70 de 2006 -Ley para disponer la oficialidad de la bandera y el escudo de los setenta y ocho (78) municipios". LexJuris de Puerto Rico (in Spanish). Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  36. "RINCON". LexJuris (Leyes y Jurisprudencia) de Puerto Rico (in Spanish). February 19, 2020. Archived from the original on February 19, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.

Further reading
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