1963 Map of Rio Grande

About this map

The coastal plains of northeastern Puerto Rico meet the Atlantic Ocean in this topographical study, highlighting a landscape defined by sugar cultivation and rising urban footprints. Centered on the town of Rio Grande, the map reveals a network of watercourses including the Rio Herrera and Rio Espiritu Santo that irrigate the low-lying Cienaga Baja. The presence of the Ferrocarril rail line and numerous agricultural canals suggests the historical dominance of the sugar industry, even as newer developments like the Pista de Aterrizaje and Campo de Golf signal a shift toward tourism and modern infrastructure. From the barrios of Mediania Baja to the elevated peaks of Cerro Bravo, the map documents established local communities and institutions, including the Escuela Luis Calderon and Escuela Juan Gonzalez, providing a clear view of the region's social and economic geography during the early 1960s and its 1982 revisions.