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It is popularly held that Christopher Columbus landed in Aguada when he
discovered Puerto Rico in November 1493. Aguadilla also makes this claim.
While there is no specific historical proof, it is known that many of the first
attempts to set up a town on the island were in Aguada.
Aguada became a stopover point for ships on their way to Spain from South
America. On 1737, the King of Spain declared that all mail on route to
Venezuela and other South America countries from Puerto Rico must exit from
Aguada's ports, leading to the area's economic growth.
Aguada is located in the Costal Valley of the West region,
just five minutes from
Aguadilla and twenty minutes from
Mayagüez.
Bordering the Atlantic Ocean, west of
Rincón
west of Aguadilla and
Moca; and north to
Añasco.
The town is bathed by many rivers including Culebrinas, Cañas, Madre Vieja, Grande,
Guayabo, Culebra, and Ingenio.
The Museo de Aguada (tel. 787-868-6300) is located in a former railroad
station building. Visitors can browse through an interesting array of
relics of early Puerto Rico settlers, including some from the Taíno
indian precolonization times. Open Mon-Fri 8am-noon. Reservations required.
There are many well-known "aguadeños", among them:
- Juan B. Arrílloga Roqué, politician
- Ismael Miranda, Salsa singer
- Juan B. Soto, philosopher
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