Adjuntas, Puerto Rico

(ahd-HOON-tahs)

Adjuntas is known by many names, the city is commonly known as "La Ciudad del Gigante Dormido" (the city of the sleeping giant) because a mountain formation called by that name. It is also known as "La Suiza de Puerto Rico" (the Switzerland of Puerto Rico) because it's low temperatures, with an average yearly weather of 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Last but not least, "La Tierra de los Lagos" (the land of lakes) because of the many water holes in its mountainous terrain.

The town was founded in August 11, 1815 by Diego Maldonado. The name of the city comes from the term tierras adjuntas (adjoining lands), because their territory was part of the old Villa de San Blás de Illescas, (known today as Coamo) and often referred as las tierras adjuntas a Coamo.

The town was home to the first Health Center in the island, founded in 1950. The first church was inaugurated in August 24, 1815.

Adjuntas has one of the highest mountain peaks on the island, Guilarte Peak (3,953 ft.), located in the Guilarte Forest. Many rivers run through and around the town, including Río Grande de Arecibo which originates in the ward Juan González, crossing the city from south to north. Other rivers include Guilarte, Tanamá, Pellejas, Vacas, Cidra and Limaní.

Points of Interest and Landmarks

The Museo Casa Pueblo houses a library, gallery, activity room, office and an artisan shop. Open daily, 9am-4pm, (tel. 787-829-4842).

The Museum Fort Count Mirasol is open to the public; Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm, (tel. 787-741-1717).

Along the way you can summerge yourself in the beautiful and lush tropical scenery of Monte Guilarte Forest Reserve, it is considered one the most beautiful reserves on the island and it is also home of one of the island's tallest peaks. The forest is divided into seven segments which are located among the municipalities of Adjuntas, Guayanilla, Peñuelas and Yauco. The trails are excellent for hiking and the views at the at top of Monte Guilarte (3,953 ft) are breathtaking. On a clear day you can see both Ponce and San Juan without the aid of binoculars. Monte Guilarte is the third highest mountain peak on the island. There are picnic areas with shelters, cooking grills, toilets, campgrounds and cabins for rent.

Economy

Adjuntas produces coffee, bananas, oranges and other fruits. Adjuntas is one of the main producers of coffee in the island, producing about 32% of the coffee consumed locally.

Geography

Adjuntas territory is very mountainous because the city is located on the Central Mountain range (La Cordillera Central), north of Yauco, Guayanilla and Peñuelas; southeast of Utuado; east of Lares and Yauco; and west of Ponce.

The highest elevation is Mount Guilarte at 3,953 ft (1,205 m). Other peaks are Silla de Calderon at 3,773 ft (1,105 m) and Vaquinas at 3,346 ft (1,020 m) above sea level.

Rivers
There are several rivers that run through Adjuntas. These rivers include: Rio Cidra, Rio Corcho, Rio de la Cienaga, Rio Garzas, Rio Guilarte, Rio Las Vacas, Rio Limani, Rio Saltillo, Rio Toro, Rio Vacas, and Yahuecas.

Lakes
Adjuntas is also home of many lakes, including: Adjuntas, Garzas, Guayo, Pellejas and Yahuecas. Garzas Lake also serves as reservoir.

Adjuntas is made up of 17 barrios (wards/districts):

Climate

Adjuntas annual precipitation is 87 inches, and its average temperature is 72°F. Summers are warm (83°-85°F) in the daytime and mild at night time (60°-63°F). Meanwhile winters are moderately warm with cool temperatures at night, temperatures are between in the 50 °F (10 °C) and 60 °F (16 °C) range, but after cold fronts temperatures can drop down to 40 °F (4 °C).

ADJUNTAS WEATHER

10 Day Forecast from weather.com

Notable People

There are many well-known "adjunteños", among them:

• Jesús M. Benitez, writer
• Rafael de Jesús Cordero, economist and writer
• Pelegrín López de Victoria, writer
• Arístides Moll, physician, writer and poet
• Josefina Moll, writer

Restaurants

• La Hamaca Restaurant (Puerto Rican), (787) 829-4891
• La Terraza Fried Chicken (Puerto Rican), (787) 829-0348
• Melos BBQ (American), (787) 829-4780
• Restaurante Las Cabañas (Puerto Rican), (787) 829-3131
• Restaurante Star Light (Puerto Rican), (787) 829-0438
• Restaurante Vida Ventura (International), (787) 829-9096
• Sushill's Fried Chicken (Chinese), (787) 829-1952

Festivals and Events

• Festival de la Cidra - March
  
• Festival del Gigante - March
  This 9 1/4-mile (15km) race starts at Puerta Bernasal and finishes at Plaza Publica. (787) 829-3310
• Fiestas Patronales de San Joaquin & Santa Ana - August
  Every year, Adjuntas celebrates a patron saint festival. The festivities include dances, food, parades and religious processions. (787) 829-2590 or (787) 829-3310

Symbols

Flag

A white diagonal stripe divides the flag in two triangles. The upper one is purple, while the lower one is green. In the middle of each triangle lies a white cross known as the "Illescas cross". The cross also symbolizes Saint Joachim and Saint Ana, patrons of the town. The white color symbolizes purity, while purple represents Joachim's cloth and green the nature of the town.

Coat of Arms

Adjuntas coat of arms includes a walking stick or crook that represents the patriarch San Joaquín, father of the Holy Virgin Mary. The distaff represents domestic work and also symbolizes Santa Ana, the mother of the Virgin Mary. The star represents the Virgin. The bells and crosses allude to the name of the town, Adjuntas. The crosses are taken from the seal of Coamo and their origins lie in the coat of arms of the Illescas lineage, which is historically related to the old village of San Blas. The coffee branches allude to Adjuntas' location in the coffee-growing region of Puerto Rico. The walled crown is a smaller version of the four towers to signify that in the Spanish era it was granted the title of "villa" by the crown.

Anthem
The anthem of Adjuntas was written by Jose Nieves Perez. The title is "Adjuntas es mi amor".

Education

There are 14 public schools in Adjuntas, education is handled by the Puerto Rico Department of Education.

Map References

Coordinates: 18.1628° N, 66.7222° W

ZIP Code: 00601, 00631

Driving Distance from San Juan: 83.21 miles

Driving Time: 1 hour 25 minutes