Trujillo Alto

History

The region of what is now Trujillo Alto belonged to the Taíno region of Cayniabón, which stretched from the northeast coast of Puerto Rico into the central region of the island. The region was led by cacique Canobaná. Archeological findings have identified two sites within the municipality of Trujillo Alto with archeological significance: Las Cuevas, which was studied by Irving Rouse, and Quebrada Grande. After the Spanish colonization, families started settling at both sides of the Río Grande de Loíza. During the 17th century, the Spanish crown granted Alonso Pizarro Hermona, from Trujillo in Spain, a vast ranch that covered the region. Residents began using his family name to refer to the location. The fertile area was systematically settled due to its adjacent location to the capital of San Juan and its advantage for commerce. The town was settled on a meander of the Río Grande de Loíza. Around 1820, the name Trujillo Alto was used to differentiate the town from that of Trujillo Bajo (which later became known as Carolina). In 1902, the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico approved a law for the consolidation of certain municipalities. In 1952, along with the Carraízo Dam constructed in barrio Carraízo, a filtration plant was constructed in barrio Cuevas in Trujillo Alto. The proximity of the city to the capital, San Juan, sparked significant growth and development in the region and during the 20th century, the population of Trujillo Alto increased dramatically. As of 2010, the city is the tenth-most populous city of Puerto Rico. Mayor José Luis Cruz Cruz, who has been serving since 2009, has labeled the city as "The New Metropolis". Hurricane Maria on September 20, 2017, triggered numerous landslides in Trujillo Alto, with its rain and winds. The hurricane winds…

Geography

Trujillo Alto sits on the Northern Coastal Plain region of Puerto Rico. It is bordered by the municipalities of San Juan, Carolina, Gurabo, and Caguas. Trujillo Alto's terrain is mostly plain in the north, while the south features small hills. Heights can range from 660 to 1,600 feet (200–500 meters) above sea level. Trujillo Alto's hydrographic system consists mainly of the Río Grande de Loíza, which crosses the municipality. There are also several creeks in the city: Colorada, Infierno, Limones, Naranjo, Grande, Pastrana, Haya Fría, and Maracuto. Also, Trujillo Alto is the site of Puerto Rico's main water reservoir: The Carraízo Dam, at the Loíza Lake. Both were built in 1953 by the Puerto Rico Aqueducts and Sewers Authority (PRASA). Although it was originally built to generate hydroelectricity, it is now used solely as a public water-supply source. The Loíza Lake is also used for water sports and recreational fishing. Like all municipalities of Puerto Rico, Trujillo Alto is subdivided into barrios. The municipal buildings, central square and large Catholic church are located in a barrio referred to as . #Carraízo #Cuevas #Dos Bocas #La Gloria #Quebrada Grande #Quebrada Negrito #St. Just #Trujillo Alto barrio-pueblo Trujillo Alto's townscape is fairly simple. Most of the barrios are spread through the rural section of the city, while the downtown area (Trujillo Alto Pueblo) is small, consisting only of eight primary streets. This gave the city the nickname of the "City of the Eight Streets". 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 of Puerto Rico) are marginalized…

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• JESUS SILVA
  Elementary · TRUJILLO ALTO · 615 students · 15.4:1 ratio
• JOSE F. DIAZ
  Elementary · SAN JUAN · 473 students · 10.1:1 ratio
• MEDARDO CARAZO
  High · TRUJILLO ALTO · 376 students · 13.9:1 ratio
• PETRA ZENON DE FABERY
  High · TRUJILLO ALTO · 323 students · 10.8:1 ratio
• FAIR VIEW
  Elementary · TRUJILLO ALTO · 240 students · 9.6:1 ratio
• NUEVA ELEMENTAL BO. QUEBRADA NEGRITO
  Elementary · TRUJILLO ALTO · 230 students · 9.6:1 ratio
• HERMINA DIAZ APONTE (LAGO ALTO)
  Elementary · TRUJILLO ALTO · 208 students · 13.9:1 ratio
• ANDRES VALCARCEL
  Middle · TRUJILLO ALTO · 199 students · 9.9:1 ratio