Santa Isabel () is a

town A town is a type of a human settlement, generally larger than a village but smaller than a city. The criteria for distinguishing a town vary globally, often depending on factors such as population size, economic character, administrative stat ...

and

municipality A municipality is usually a single administrative division having municipal corporation, corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate. The term ''municipality' ...

Puerto Rico ; abbreviated PR), officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, is a Government of Puerto Rico, self-governing Caribbean Geography of Puerto Rico, archipelago and island organized as an Territories of the United States, unincorporated territo ...

located in the southern coast of the island, south of Coamo; east of

Juana Díaz Juana is a Spanish female name. It is the feminine form of ''Juan'' (English ''John''), and thus corresponds to the English names Jane, Jean, Joan, and Joanna. The feminine diminutive form (male equivalent to ''Johnny'') is Juanita (equival ...

; and west of Salinas. Santa Isabel is spread over 7 barrios and Santa Isabel Pueblo (the downtown area and the administrative center). It is the principal city of the Santa Isabel Micropolitan Statistical Area and is part of the Ponce-Yauco-Coamo Combined Statistical Area. Santa Isabel is known as ''The Capital of Agriculture'', ''La Ciudad de los Potros'' ("City of Colts") due to the number of ''potreros'' (or

racehorse Horse racing is an equestrian performance activity, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its bas ...

stud farm A stud farm or stud in animal husbandry is an establishment for selective breeding of livestock. The word "stud (animal), stud" comes from the Old English ''stod'' meaning "herd of horses, place where horses are kept for breeding". Historically, ...

s) in the area.

History

Before being founded, the area where Santa Isabel is located today was part of the boundary between the ''

cacicazgo ''Cacicazgo'' is a phonetic Spanish transliteration (or a derivative) of the Taíno word for the lands ruled by a ''cacique''. The Spanish colonial system recognized indigenous elites as nobles in Mexico and Peru, and other areas. Nobles could ...

s'' (or

Taíno The Taíno are the Indigenous peoples of the Caribbean, Indigenous peoples of the Greater Antilles and surrounding islands. At the time of European contact in the late 15th century, they were the principal inhabitants of most of what is now The ...

regions) of Guaynia and

Guayama Guayama (, ), officially the Autonomous Municipality of Guayama (), is a Guayama barrio-pueblo, city and Municipalities of Puerto Rico, municipality on the Caribbean Sea, Caribbean coast of Puerto Rico. As of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 ...

. During the

Spanish conquest The Spanish Empire, sometimes referred to as the Hispanic Monarchy or the Catholic Monarchy, was a colonial empire that existed between 1492 and 1976. In conjunction with the Portuguese Empire, it ushered in the European Age of Discovery. It ...

and settlement of Borinquen, the area became key to the settlement and agriculture of Coamo which at the time was the second town to be founded in the southern part of the island. Numerous ''

estancia An estancia or estância is a large, private plot of land used for farming or raising cattle or sheep. Estancias are located in the southern South American grasslands of Chilean and Argentine Patagonia, while the ''pampas'' have historically bee ...

s'' were established in the region during the time to cultivate "''frutos menores''" or small crops for local use such as rice, corn, beans and

root vegetables Root vegetables are underground plant parts eaten by humans or animals as food. In agricultural and culinary terminology, the term applies to true roots, such as taproots and tuberous root, root tubers, as well as non-roots such as bulbs, corms, ...

. The area where Central Cortada is located was originally called ''Estancia Descalabrado,'' and was owned by Catalan settler Juan de Quintana from 1737. The municipality of Santa Isabel was officially founded on October 5, 1842, by Antonio Vélez. Vélez led a group of residents to obtain independence from the municipality of Coamo, which Santa Isabel was originally a part of. Puerto Rico was ceded by

Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...

in the aftermath of the

Spanish–American War The Spanish–American War (April 21 – August 13, 1898) was fought between Restoration (Spain), Spain and the United States in 1898. It began with the sinking of the USS Maine (1889), USS ''Maine'' in Havana Harbor in Cuba, and resulted in the ...

under the terms of the

Treaty of Paris of 1898 The Treaty of Peace between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain, commonly known as the Treaty of Paris of 1898, was signed by Restoration (Spain), Spain and the United States on December 10, 1898, and marked the end of the ...

and became a territory of the United States. In 1899, the United States conducted its first

census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...

of Puerto Rico finding that the population of Santa Isabel was 4,858. On September 20, 2017

Hurricane Maria Hurricane Maria was an extremely powerful and devastating tropical cyclone that affected the northeastern Caribbean in September 2017, particularly in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, which accounted for 2,975 of the 3,059 deaths. It is the ...

struck the island of Puerto Rico. In Santa Isabel, close to 500 people had to be rescued, the agriculture was leveled. The strong winds, 15 inches of rain, and rivers that crested, caused an estimated 12,000 homes to be completely or partially destroyed.

Geography

Santa Isabel is on the southern coast. * Aguirre State Forest ( Punta Petrona Nature Reserve) *Rivers: Cayures, Coamo, Descalabrado and Jueyes.

Barrios

Like all municipalities of Puerto Rico, Santa Isabel is subdivided into barrios. The municipal buildings, central square and large Catholic church are located in a barrio referred to as . # Boca Velázquez # Descalabrado # Felicia 1 # Felicia 2 # Jauca 1 # Jauca 2 # Playa # Santa Isabel barrio-pueblo

Sectors

Barrios (which are like minor civil divisions) and subbarrios, are further subdivided into smaller areas called (''sectors'' in English). The types of ''sectores'' may vary, from normally ''sector'' to ''urbanización'' to ''reparto'' to ''barriada'' to ''residencial'', among others.

Special Communities

(Special Communities of Puerto Rico) are marginalized communities whose citizens are experiencing a certain amount of

social exclusion Social exclusion or social marginalisation is the social disadvantage and relegation to the fringe of society. It is a term that has been used widely in Europe and was first used in France in the late 20th century. In the EU context, the Euro ...

. 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 Santa Isabel: Playita Cortada, Sector Islote, Sector Canta Sapo, Sector Descalabrado, Sector El Río, Sector Florida, Sector la Pica, Sector Villa Pote, and Sector Villa Pulga (Villa del Mar).

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Decennial Census, Santa Isabel had a population of 20,281 residents, a decrease from the 2010 Census when the population was of 23,274 residents. In 2020, the racial makeup of the municipality was 50.2% White, 33.3% Black, 13.4% two or more races, and 0.1% Native American. The majority of the population, 99.8%, are Hispanic or Latino of any race, and 0.2% are non-Hispanic White residents.

Tourism

Landmarks and places of interest

There are 29 beaches in Santa Isabel. Some of the main attractions of Santa Isabel are: *''El Malecón'' (boardwalk) *Indian Museum *Jauca Beach *Hacienda Alomar Ruins * Central Cortada (Cortada Sugarcane Refinery) Santa Isabel has three listings in the United States National Register of Historic Places: * Dr. Martin G. Brumbaugh Graded School * Iglesia Evangélica Unida de Santa Isabel (inscribed as Iglesia Cristiana) * Las Tres Haciendas irrigation system

Economy

Agriculture

The surrounding areas produces fruits and vegetables such as mango, guineo and avocado. Campo Fresco, a Puerto Rican company, owns a plant in Santa Isabel, from where they produce Jugos Lotus juice and other drink brands.

Industry

Aerospace, electrical and electronic, metal products and nutritional products.

Culture

Festivals and Events

Santa Isabel celebrates its

patron saint A patron saint, patroness saint, patron hallow or heavenly protector is a saint who in Catholicism, Anglicanism, Eastern Orthodoxy or Oriental Orthodoxy is regarded as the heavenly advocate of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, fa ...

festival in July. The is a religious and cultural celebration that generally features parades, games, artisans, amusement rides, regional food, and live entertainment. Other festivals and events celebrated in Santa Isabel include: *''Agroferia'' Santa Isabel - April *''Carnaval de Baloncesto'' Barrio Ollas - July *City Foundation Anniversary - October *''Encendido Navideño Barriada Felicia, Calle Elifaz Ostolaza'' - November

Schools

Elementary

*Escuela Martín G. Brumbaugh *Escuela John F. Kennedy *Escuela Esther Rivera *Escuela Ana L. Rosa Tricoche *Escuela Apolonia Valentín *Escuela Ana Valldejuly *Escuela Emilio Casas

Middle school

*Escuela Manuel Martín Monserrate

High school

*Escuela Elvira M. Colón

Second Units

*Escuela S.U. Pedro Meléndez (Playita Cortada)

Private Education

*Colegio Evangélico Fuente De Sabiduría (K-6) *Colegio LOGOS

Sports

Santa Isabel is known as ''Tierra de Campeones'' (Land of Champions) because of its rich sports tradition (especially in

Baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...

). The city is home to the Santa Isabel Potros baseball team. The Potros won the 1992 National Championship of the

Federación de Béisbol Aficionado de Puerto Rico ' ("Double-A Baseball"), governed by the ' (Puerto Rico Amateur Baseball Federation), is a Puerto Rican amateur spring and summer baseball league, founded in 1940 and based in San Juan. The season normally starts in mid to late February and end ...

. The team plays its home games at Estadio Municipal Luis Guillermo Moreno. * Class A Baseball Teams (Wild Passages of Paso Seco, Marlins de Felicia and Jueueros de Jauca) * Double A Baseball Team (Ponies of Santa Isabel) * Basketball Carnival (Ollas neighborhood) - July * Interbarrio Children's Basketball League - August–November * Double A Youth Baseball Team (Potritos U19) * Soccer Teams (Santa Isabel Soccer Club) * Collegiate Volleyball (UAGM Santa Isabel)

Government

All municipalities in Puerto Rico are administered by a mayor, elected every four years. The current mayor of Santa Isabel is Meldwin Rivera Rodríguez, of the New Progressive Party (PNP). He was first elected at the 2024 general elections. The city belongs to the Puerto Rico Senatorial district VI, which is represented by two Senators. In 2024, Rafael Santos Ortiz and Wilmer Reyes Berríos were elected as District Senators.

Transportation

There are 12 bridges in Santa Isabel.

Symbols

The has an official flag and coat of arms.

Flag

The flag is divided horizontally into three stripes; white at the top, yellow in the center and red at the bottom, and may be decorated with

sugarcane Sugarcane or sugar cane is a species of tall, Perennial plant, perennial grass (in the genus ''Saccharum'', tribe Andropogoneae) that is used for sugar Sugar industry, production. The plants are 2–6 m (6–20 ft) tall with stout, jointed, fib ...

stems.

Coat of arms

The crown stands for Saint-Queen

Elizabeth of Hungary Elizabeth of Hungary (, , ; 7 July 120717 November 1231), also known as Elisabeth of Thuringia, was a princess of the Kingdom of Hungary and the landgravine of Thuringia. Elizabeth was married at the age of 14, and widowed at 20. After her hus ...

(''Isabel'' in

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many countries in the Americas **Spanish cuisine **Spanish history **Spanish culture ...

), patroness of the

Third Order of Saint Francis The Third Order of Saint Francis, or Franciscan Tertiaries, is the third order of the Franciscan tradition of Christianity, founded by the medieval Italian Catholic friar Francis of Assisi. Francis founded the Third Order, originally called t ...

. The shells are a symbol of St. James the patron saint of the town, as well as for the many shells found in the beaches near the town.

Notable ''Santaisabelinos''

* Adolfo L. Monserrate Anselmi - former member

Puerto Rico House of Representatives The House of Representatives of Puerto Rico () is the lower house of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico, the bicameral territorial legislature of Puerto Rico. The House, together with the Senate, control the legislative branch of the go ...

Benito Santiago Benito Santiago Rivera (born March 9, 1965) is a Puerto Rican people, Puerto Rican former professional baseball player. He played for 20 seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1986 to 2005, most prominently as a member of the ...

- Baseball player; won unanimously the 1986 the

National League National League often refers to: *National League (baseball), one of the two baseball leagues constituting Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada *National League (division), the fifth division of the English football (soccer) system ...

Rookie of the Year Award with the

San Diego Padres The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Division. ...

. * Melwin Cedeño - Actor, comedian, kids host, Merengue musician, and singer. * Carlos Colón Sr. -

professional wrestler Professional wrestling, often shortened to either pro wrestling or wrestling,The term "wrestling" is most often widely used to specifically refer to modern scripted professional wrestling, though it is also used to refer to real-life wrest ...

known as ''El Acróbata de Puerto Rico''. Co-owner (vice-president) of the

World Wrestling Council The World Wrestling Council (WWC; Spanish: "Consejo Mundial de Lucha") is a professional wrestling promotion based in Puerto Rico. It was originally established as Capitol Sports Promotions in 1973 by Carlos Colón, Victor Jovica, and Goril ...

(WWC), formerly known as Capital Sports Promotions. Former

WWE World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is an American professional wrestling promotion. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority-owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. A global integrated media and entertainment company, ...

wrestler when he entered the 1993 WWF

Royal Rumble The Royal Rumble is a professional wrestling event, produced annually since 1988 by WWE, the world's largest professional wrestling promotion. It is named after, and centered on, the Royal Rumble match, a modified Battle royal (professional wre ...

. Inducted into the

WWE Hall Of Fame The WWE Hall of Fame is a List of halls and walks of fame, hall of fame which honors professional wrestlers and professional wrestling personalities maintained by WWE. Originally known as the "WWF Hall of Fame", it was created in 1993 when An ...

in 2014. * Carlos Correa - Baseball player; First Overall Pick in the 2012 MLB Draft, 2015

American League The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the American League (AL), is the younger of two sports leagues, leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western L ...

Rookie Of The Year, Shortstop for the

Minnesota Twins The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis. The Twins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team is named afte ...

. Formerly played for the

Houston Astros The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. They are one of two major leag ...

where he won an MLB World Series championship for the team in 2017. * José Guzmán - Former professional Baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers.

Gallery

File:Irrigation method seen in Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico.jpg, Irrigation method in Santa Isabel File:Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico.jpg, View of Caribbean Sea from Santa Isabel File:2022generalsantaisabel1.jpg, Cattle in Jauca.

References

External links

Crest of the City

Evaluation of Groundwater Quality and Selected Hydrologic Conditions in the South Coast Aquifer, Santa Isabel Area, Puerto Rico, 2008-09

United States Geological Survey The United States Geological Survey (USGS), founded as the Geological Survey, is an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior whose work spans the disciplines of biology, geography, geology, and hydrology. The agency was founded on Mar ...

History of Santa Isabel

Santa Isabel Municipality on Facebook (in Spanish)
{{Authority control Municipalities of Puerto Rico Populated coastal places in Puerto Rico Populated places established in 1842