Bayam贸n (bah-yah-MON) is a municipality of Puerto Rico located on the northern coastal valley, north of Aguas Buenas and Comer铆o; south of Toa Baja and Cata帽o; west of Guaynabo; and east of Toa Alta and Naranjito. Bayam贸n is spread over 11 wards and Bayam贸n Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city).
History
Bayam贸n is sometimes called "El Pueblo del Chicharr贸n" (Pork Rind Town). Juan Ram铆rez de Arrellano established Bayam贸n as a town on May 22, 1772. It derives its name from a local Indian chief Bahamon; others claim that the name came from the Ta铆no word Bayamongo, which is the name of one of the rivers that cross the city.
Bayam贸n is one of Puerto Rico's largest cities, and is situated in what is considered to be the island's metropolitan area. It shares its metropolitan area status with San Juan, Guaynabo, Cata帽o, Toa Baja, Carolina and Trujillo Alto
Bayam贸n has always been a progressive city. Unlike Ponce, Aguadilla and Mayag眉ez, it does not have an airport due to its proximity to San Juan, the nation's capital.
Flag
The current flag of Bayam贸n, with a white field, official color of Bayam贸n, was embroidered by Mrs. Gloria M. Le贸n and maintains the design and colors of its Coat of Arms.
Coat of arms
This shield is symbol and synthesis of the history and the values that distinguish the city of Bayam贸n. The main colors of the shield are blue and silver representing the waters of the Bayam贸n river and recalls that it was on these banks where the first hydraulic sugar cane refinery of Puerto Rico was established in 1549. The center contains the Holy Cross (Santa Cruz), patron of the first church of the municipality and the name of the old sugar cane refinery "Santa Cruz", which was the historical origin of the town of Bayam贸n. The sugar cane flowers (guajanas) allude directly to the sugar cane industry that is of social and economic importance to the origin and development of Bayam贸n.
The five-tower crown, which is used for cities, was assigned to Bayam贸n as an exception for its extraordinary urban development, the magnitude of its population and for its religious dignity, which will possibly be raised to become Episcopal seat. The motto "IN HOC SIGNO VINCES" makes reference to Emperor Constantine when in the IV century had the vision in which the victory was promised to him if it accepted the Cross of Christianity as his banner.
Demographics
Barrios (Districts/Wards)
Geo/Topography
Bayam贸n rivers include: Bayam贸n, Hondo, Minillas, Bucarabones and Cuesta Arriba.
Anthem
Lyrics By: Ram贸n Luis Rivera
Music By: Rafi Escudero
Bayam贸n, ciudad hermosa
orgullosa de su ayer
al mirar hacia el futuro
ves un nuevo amanecer.
En tu gente la esperanza
son tus hijos tu primor
porque luchan sin descanso
por triunfar y darte honor.
Bayam贸n, mi ciudad
mi lugar es aqu铆
porque quiero luchar
en tu suelo hasta morir.
Bayam贸n, mi ciudad
orgulloso estoy de ti
de tu amor cantar茅,
en un himno al porvenir.
Bayam贸n, mi ciudad
mi lugar es aqu铆
porque quiero luchar
en tu suelo hasta morir.
Economy
Agriculture
Coffee, grapefruit, sugar, tobacco and vegetables. The first hydraulic sugar mill on the island was built in Bayam贸n about 1548, and sugar has continued to be a valuable commodity.
Business
Manufactures have included auto parts, canned foods, clocks, clothing, machinery, precision, tin cans, tobacco products, tools, watches and zippers.
Industrial
industrial establishments; others are iron foundries, brick yards, ice plants, dairies, and an oil refinery.
Tourism
Landmarks and places of interest
Festivals and events
Education
Bayam贸n Central University was founded in 1970, and the town has a regional college of the University of Puerto Rico.
Sports
The Vaqueros de Bayam贸n are the city's BSN representatives and the team with the most championships in history, with 13.
The famous boxing fight between Alexis Arguello and Alfredo Escalera (their first; their equally legendary rematch was held in Rimini, Italy) was held in Bayam贸n in 1978.
The Puerto Rico Islanders of the United Soccer Leagues First Division play at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayam贸n.
Notable "Bayamoneses"
Bayam贸n was also the site of the infamous 1988 murder of professional wrestler Frank "Bruiser Brody" Goodish. His murderer, Jose Gonzales, was subsequently acquitted of all charges.
Diplomacy
Bayam贸n serves as the host city for foreign consular representation in Puerto Rico for the following nations:
See also
References
External links
Official sites
Colleges / Schools / Universities
