Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

Cabo Rojo was founded in December 17, 1771 by Nicolás Ramírez Arellano and Miguel de Muesas. It is said that Cabo Rojo obtained its name by the considerable amount of minerals in its coasts that made the waters look reddish. "Cabo" means "tip" and is often used in Spanish where the word "Cape" is used in English; "rojo," means the color red. According to legend, the name was given by Cristopher Colombus himself, although this is highly unlikely. The first church was founded in 1783 with the name of San José. Current church is called San Miguel Arcángel.

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Driving Time from San Juan: 2.5 hours

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City Limits: to the

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North: City of Mayagüez and Town of Hormigueros; to the

Related Topics:
Mayagüez - Hormigueros

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South: Caribbean Sea; to the

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East: Towns of Hormigueros, San Germán and Lajas; to the

Related Topics:
San Germán - Lajas

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West: Strait of Mona.

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Wards: Bajura, Betances, Boquerón, Guanajibo, La Veintidos, La Quince, Llanos Costas, Llanos Tuna, Miradero, Monte Grande, Pedernales, Pole Ojea, Pueblo, Puerto Real.

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The famous Cabo Rojo lighthouse, Los Morrillos Lighthouse, known by locals as El Faro, was built in 1881 over limestone cliffs that drop 200 feet into the sea. This old lighthouse was automated and electrically charged in 1967 and has some, if not the, most spectacular ocean views in Puerto Rico's West Coast.

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The lighthouse is located near the Salinas, or salt mines. These salt mines are reported to be the oldest industry in the New World. Salt has been mined in the site uninterrupted since the times of the Taínos. Along the Salinas, a local civic group Caborrojeños Pro Salud y Ambiente run a visitor's center known as the Centro Interpretativo de las Salinas de Cabo Rojo. They offer free guided tours of the local area, which is rich in flora and fauna.

Related Topics:
Salt mine - Taínos - Caborrojeños Pro Salud y Ambiente

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Some of the better-known "caborrojeños" are: pirate Roberto Cofresí, Salvador Brau, Tommy Muñiz, Bartolomé Javier Petrovich and Ramón Emeterio Betances.

Related Topics:
Roberto Cofresí - Salvador Brau - Tommy Muñiz - Bartolomé Javier Petrovich - Ramón Emeterio Betances

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While Cabo Rojo lacks an airport, it is about 30 miles from the Eugenio Maria de Hostos Airport, a commercial port with direct flights from and to San Juan. Cabo Rojo has grown tremendously in the last few years as evidenced by its recent accreditation as a city. Its tourism industry has flourished with the development of hotels and marinas, but local and international enviromentalists are concerned that this development will endanger Cabo Rojo's rich and beautiful beaches and natural resources. Cabo Rojo is also well-known for its fishing, particularly the Puerto Real fishing village.

Related Topics:
Airport - Eugenio Maria de Hostos Airport

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Cabo Rojo's former mayor, Santos El Negro Ortiz, made history in 1988 by becoming the first public servant to be elected into office without being affiliated with one of Puerto Rico's political parties. Cabo Rojo's current mayor, Santos Padilla, affiliated with Puerto Rico's pro-statehood party, and Puerto Rico's former (and first female Governor) Sila Calderon, associated with the pro-status-quo party, are primarily responsible for Cabo Rojo's recent development and growth spurt.

Related Topics:
Santos El Negro Ortiz - 1988

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Cabo Rojo had a BSN basketball team, Los Turistas de Cabo Rojo (the "Cabo Rojo Tourists," who actually played like they were on vacation) from 1989 to 1993.

Related Topics:
BSN - Basketball - 1989 - 1993

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People from Cabo Rojo are known as "mata con hacha" (those who kill with axes) based on an old folk tale of a fight over the Salinas where those from Cabo Rojo fought with axes against people from the adjacent town of Lajas, who apparently fought by throwing stones and are thus known as "tira piedras" (those who throw stones).

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