Río Piedras, Puerto Rico



Río Piedras is a former municipality of Puerto Rico, which was consolidated with the municipality of San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1951. It was founded in 1714, and has been the home of the University of Puerto Rico's main campus since 1903, earning the popular name of Ciudad Universitaria (University City).

History
Río Piedras' origins go back to 1714 when a settlement along the shores of the Piedras river was recognized by Governor Juan de Rivera. Originally known as El Roble, it eventually adopted the name of the river that crossed its territory (Río Piedras in Spanish).

During the nineteenth century, most of its territory was used for agricultural and livestock-raising purposes. Sugar cane, cotton and coffee were some of the goods produced during this era at the municipality.

On May 12, 1903, the University of Puerto Rico was founded in Río Piedras. The university was a central part of the development of Rio Piedras, both in housing and economically. Even though the campus covers a very small portion of the territory, it is considered the unofficial symbol of the old town. The Río Piedras Campus is recognized as the main campus in the University of Puerto Rico system. The Botanical Gardens of the university are also located at Río Piedras.

Incorporation into San Juan
The municipality became part of the capital city of San Juan on July 1, 1951, after the approval of Project 177 of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico. Following the annexation of Rio Piedras, the city of San Juan, and its surrounding area now including Rio Piedras, quadrupled its former size. The last mayor of the municipality of Río Piedras was Ángeles Méndez de López Corver.

Flag
The flag of Río Piedras consists of a yellow cloth with a wavy blue stripe. The stripe has small white stones crossing it, and symbolizes the river that gave its name to the former town. The yellow background represents the sun, progress, and the future.

Geography and climate
The region is mostly flat due to its location in the Northern Coastal Plains of the island. The highest regions are located at the south, mainly in the Caimito and Cupey barrios. The Río Piedras (or Piedras River) which gives name to the area crosses the region.

Barrios
By 1948, Rio Piedras had the following 12 urban barrios: Buen Consejo, Capetillo, and Río Piedras Antiguo made up the original urban area of the municipality of Rio Piedras.
 * Buen Consejo
 * Capetillo
 * El Cinco
 * Gobernador Piñero
 * Hato Rey Central
 * Hato Rey Norte
 * Hato Rey Sur
 * Oriente
 * Río Piedras Antiguo
 * Sabana Llana Norte
 * Sabana Llana Sur
 * Universidad

The rural zone, 42% of Rio Piedras in 1948, were the following six barrios:
 * Caimito
 * Cupey
 * Monacillo
 * Quebrada Arenas
 * Sabana Llana Rural
 * Tortugo

Demographics
According to the 2000 census, Río Piedras had a population of 332,344. That is more than any municipality in Puerto Rico and 77% of the population of San Juan.

Government
Río Piedras first mayor was Juan de la Cruz in 1814. The last mayor of the municipality of Río Piedras was Ángeles Méndez de López Corver.

The Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation operates the Hogar Intermedio para Mujeres in Río Piedras, which opened in 1996.

Education
Río Piedras is perhaps more known for being the site of the main campus of the University of Puerto Rico. Located in downtown Río Piedras, the university has more than 20,000 students enrolled and a faculty of more than 1,000.

Other universities located in what was known as Río Piedras are the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico and the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, Metropolitan Campus.

Río Piedras also counts with several public and private schools distributed through several regions. Public education is handled by the Puerto Rico Department of Education.

Transportation
Rio Piedras is served by the Tren Urbano Metro system with stations at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras and in downtown Río Piedras. Even though these two stations are considered the current stations at Río Piedras, most of the stops of the train in the municipality of San Juan are located in areas that were part of the municipality of Río Piedras prior to 1951.

Culture
At the heart of Río Piedras lies the Avenida José de Diego, a one-kilometer pedestrianized street with stores and shops. The Río Piedras Plaza del Mercado (Marketplace) is the largest of its kind on the island and features a series of shops that offer goods and services.

Ponce de León Avenue is popular with bookstores and small theaters and with students, faculty, and intellectuals in the community.

Roberto Clemente's house is located in Rio Piedras [1 ], where a memorial is visible in the back yard.