Barceloneta, Puerto Rico

The residents of this small town of 22,300 inhabitants (2000 census) are well accustomed to seeing the waters of nearby Río Manatí flooding the town's streets and totally covering its Plaza (main square), at times for a few hours.

Water is also the reason why all major pharmaceutical manufacturers operate plants here, making tiny Barceloneta the pharmaceutical capital of the world! It is said that underground water reservoirs in Barceloneta contain water so pure that it requires little added treatment for use in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products, a very delicate process.

Barceloneta's Sixto Escobar became the first Puerto Rican to win a world boxing title in 1936. The town is known as Ciudad de las Piñas because of its extensive pineapple plantations.

The beaches of Barceloneta are visited by people from many neighboring communities. Several Festivales held throughout the year keep visitors coming back for more. Barceloneta is some thirty minutes west of the San Juan Metropolitan Area on the de Diego Expressway (PR 22).

The patron saint for Barceloneta is "Virgen del Carmen", celebrated on July 16.