The Big List of Cities

Category: S

  • Sabana Seca, Puerto Rico

    📍 Location & Geography

    Sabana Seca is a small community located in the municipality of Toa Baja, in the northern coastal region of Puerto Rico. The city is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, and is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and rolling hills. The area is characterized by a tropical monsoon climate, with a dry season in the winter and a wet season in the summer.

    🌎 Coordinates

    The geographical coordinates for Sabana Seca are approximately 18.4314° N latitude and 66.2108° W longitude.

    🗺️ Region & Area

    Sabana Seca is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is the largest metropolitan area in Puerto Rico. The city itself covers a relatively small area, but is densely populated.

    👥 Population & Demographics

    As of the last census, Sabana Seca had a population of around 10,000 residents. The community is predominantly Hispanic, reflecting the overall demographic makeup of Puerto Rico. The median age in Sabana Seca is slightly lower than the national average, suggesting a relatively young population.

    🏛️ History

    Sabana Seca has a rich history that dates back to the early days of Puerto Rico’s settlement by the Spanish. The area was originally used for sugar cane cultivation, and later became a hub for the tobacco industry. In the 20th century, Sabana Seca was home to a major U.S. Navy communications station, which played a significant role in the community’s development.

    🏞️ Nature & Environment

    Sabana Seca is surrounded by a variety of natural landscapes, including tropical forests, mangroves, and coastal areas. The community is home to several parks and green spaces, offering residents opportunities for outdoor recreation. The city’s coastal location also provides access to beautiful beaches and marine environments.

    🏫 Education

    Education in Sabana Seca is overseen by the Puerto Rico Department of Education. The community has several public schools, serving students from kindergarten through high school. There are also a number of private schools in the area, offering alternative educational options.

    🚧 Transportation

    Sabana Seca is served by a network of local roads and highways, providing easy access to other parts of Toa Baja and the wider San Juan metropolitan area. Public transportation in the area is provided by the Metropolitan Bus Authority, which operates a number of routes in and around the community. The city is also within easy reach of the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, the main international gateway to Puerto Rico.

    📜 Trivia & Events

    Sabana Seca is known for its vibrant local culture and community events. The city hosts a number of annual festivals and celebrations, including the Festival del Pescao, a popular seafood festival. Sabana Seca was also the location of the U.S. Navy’s largest communications station outside the continental United States, which was decommissioned in 2003.

  • San Juan, Puerto Rico

    📍 Location & Geography

    San Juan is the capital city of Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. The city is situated on the northern coast of the island. It is the largest city in Puerto Rico by population and the third oldest European-established capital city in the Americas. San Juan is characterized by its narrow cobblestone streets and flat-roofed brick and stone buildings dating back to the 16th and 17th century when Puerto Rico was a Spanish possession.

    🌎 Coordinates

    The coordinates for San Juan are approximately 18.4655° N latitude and 66.1057° W longitude.

    🗺️ Region & Area

    San Juan is located in the Metropolitan Statistical Area of Puerto Rico. It covers an area of about 76.93 square miles, with 47.79 square miles being land and 29.14 square miles being water.

    👥 Population & Demographics

    As of the 2020 Census, the population of San Juan was approximately 395,326, making it the most populous city in Puerto Rico. The city is diverse, with a majority of the population being of Hispanic descent. The official languages are Spanish and English, with Spanish being the most widely spoken.

    🏛️ History

    San Juan was founded by Spanish colonists in 1521, who called it Ciudad de Puerto Rico (“Rich Port City”). Over the years, the city has been the site of several significant military engagements, including the unsuccessful British attacks in 1595 and 1598, and the Battle of San Juan during the Spanish-American War in 1898. San Juan officially became the capital of Puerto Rico in 1898 when the island was ceded to the United States following the Spanish-American War.

    🏞️ Nature & Environment

    San Juan boasts a tropical monsoon climate with warm to hot temperatures all year round. The city is home to numerous parks and outdoor spaces, including the famous El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. The city’s coastline features beautiful beaches, such as Condado Beach and Escambrón Beach.

    🏫 Education

    San Juan is the center of education in Puerto Rico, hosting several public and private schools, colleges, and universities. The city is home to the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, the largest public university on the island. Other notable institutions include the Metropolitan University, the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, and the Sacred Heart University.

    🚧 Transportation

    San Juan is served by a comprehensive transportation network. The city’s main airport, Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, is the busiest airport in the Caribbean. Public transportation includes buses, ferries, and a metro system known as Tren Urbano. The city also has a major seaport, the Port of San Juan, which is one of the busiest in the Caribbean.

    📜 Trivia & Events

    San Juan is known for its vibrant culture and hosts several annual events and festivals. The most notable is the San Sebastian Street Festival, one of the top 10 festivals in the world according to National Geographic. The city is also famous for its historic sites, such as the San Juan National Historic Site, which includes forts, walls, and old colonial Spanish architecture.

  • St John, Virgin Islands

    📍 Location & Geography

    St. John is one of the three main islands that make up the U.S. Virgin Islands, an unincorporated territory of the United States. It is located in the Caribbean Sea, about 50 miles east of Puerto Rico. The island is approximately 20 square miles in size, making it the smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Its terrain is largely mountainous, with the highest peak being Bordeaux Mountain at 1,277 feet.

    🌎 Coordinates

    St. John is located at approximately 18.33° N latitude and 64.79° W longitude.

    🗺️ Region & Area

    St. John is part of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. The island is divided into two districts: Coral Bay and Cruz Bay. With an area of roughly 20 square miles, St. John is the smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

    👥 Population & Demographics

    As of the 2010 U.S. Census, St. John had a population of around 4,170 people. The population is diverse, with a mix of Afro-Caribbean, Hispanic, White, and other ethnicities. English is the primary language, but Spanish and other languages are also spoken.

    🏛️ History

    St. John was originally inhabited by the Arawak and Carib tribes before being colonized by the Danish in the 17th century. The island was primarily used for sugar cane production, with slaves from Africa working the plantations. In 1917, the United States purchased St. John, along with St. Thomas and St. Croix, from Denmark. Today, St. John is known for its well-preserved historical sites, including the Annaberg Sugar Plantation ruins and the Virgin Islands National Park.

    🏞️ Nature & Environment

    Over half of St. John is covered by the Virgin Islands National Park, which offers stunning views of the Caribbean, lush forests, and a diverse range of wildlife. The island is also surrounded by coral reefs, making it a popular destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. St. John is committed to conservation efforts, with several initiatives in place to protect its unique flora and fauna.

    🏫 Education

    Education on St. John is overseen by the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Education. The island has one public school, the Julius E. Sprauve School, which serves students from kindergarten through ninth grade. For high school, students typically travel to St. Thomas. There are also private school options on the island.

    🚧 Transportation

    Transportation on St. John is primarily by car, with many residents and visitors choosing to rent a vehicle. The island has a public bus system that runs between Cruz Bay and Salt Pond Bay. There are also taxis available. St. John does not have an airport; the nearest one is on St. Thomas, with ferry services connecting the two islands.

    📜 Trivia & Events

    St. John is known for its annual Carnival, a month-long event held in June and July that features music, dancing, and parades. The island is also home to the Virgin Islands National Park, which attracts over 500,000 visitors each year. Fun fact: St. John has no traffic lights, adding to its laid-back, island charm.

  • St Thomas, Virgin Islands

    📍 Location & Geography

    St. Thomas is one of the three main islands that make up the U.S. Virgin Islands, an unincorporated territory of the United States. It is located in the Caribbean Sea, approximately 1,100 miles southeast of Miami, Florida. The island is known for its beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters, and mountainous terrain. The capital city of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Charlotte Amalie, is located on St. Thomas.

    🌎 Coordinates

    The geographical coordinates for St. Thomas are approximately 18.3 degrees North latitude and 64.9 degrees West longitude.

    🗺️ Region & Area

    St. Thomas is part of the Caribbean region. It covers an area of approximately 32 square miles, making it the second-largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The island is divided into three large districts: East End, West End, and Northside.

    👥 Population & Demographics

    As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of St. Thomas was approximately 51,634. The island is known for its diverse culture, with residents of African, European, and American descent. The majority of the population speaks English, though Spanish and Creole are also spoken by some residents.

    🏛️ History

    St. Thomas was originally inhabited by the Ciboney, Carib, and Arawak tribes. Christopher Columbus sighted the island on his second voyage to the New World in 1493. It was later colonized by the Danish in the 17th century and served as a major center of the Atlantic slave trade. The United States purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917.

    🏞️ Nature & Environment

    St. Thomas is known for its rich biodiversity. The island is home to numerous species of tropical plants, birds, and marine life. Coral reefs surround the island, providing habitats for a variety of fish and other sea creatures. The island’s climate is tropical, with average temperatures ranging from 77 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.

    🏫 Education

    Education on St. Thomas is overseen by the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Education. The island has several public and private schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools. Higher education is offered by the University of the Virgin Islands, which has a campus on St. Thomas.

    🚧 Transportation

    St. Thomas is served by the Cyril E. King Airport, the busiest airport in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The island also has a well-developed road network, with both public buses and taxis available for transportation. Ferries provide transportation to the other Virgin Islands and to the British Virgin Islands.

    📜 Trivia & Events

    St. Thomas is known for its vibrant culture and hosts several annual events, including the St. Thomas Carnival, one of the largest festivals in the Caribbean. The island is also home to Blackbeard’s Castle, a national historic landmark said to have been used by the infamous pirate. Additionally, St. Thomas is a popular destination for cruise ships, with hundreds of ships docking at the island’s port each year.

  • Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico

    📍 Location & Geography

    Santa Isabel is a coastal town and municipality located on the southern coast of Puerto Rico, bordered by the municipalities of Juana Díaz to the west, and Salinas to the east. It is part of the Ponce Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town is known for its beautiful beaches and the Playa de Jauca, a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.

    🌎 Coordinates

    Santa Isabel is located at approximately 17.97 degrees north latitude and 66.40 degrees west longitude.

    🗺️ Region & Area

    Santa Isabel is part of the Ponce Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is one of the three primary metropolitan areas in Puerto Rico. The town covers an area of approximately 34.43 square miles (89.2 square kilometers), of which 3.14 square miles (8.13 square kilometers) is water.

    👥 Population & Demographics

    As of the 2010 Census, Santa Isabel had a population of approximately 23,274 people. The population is predominantly of Hispanic or Latino origin, with a significant majority identifying as Puerto Rican. The town is also home to a small community of non-Hispanic whites and African Americans.

    🏛️ History

    Santa Isabel was founded on October 5, 1842 by Antonio Vélez. The town was named in honor of Queen Isabel II of Spain. Santa Isabel is also known as “La Ciudad de los Potros” or “City of Colts”, due to its rich tradition in horse breeding and horse racing.

    🏞️ Nature & Environment

    Santa Isabel is blessed with a tropical climate, with warm temperatures year-round. The town is home to several natural attractions, including the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, a protected area that is home to many species of birds and marine life. The town’s coastal location also provides for beautiful beaches and opportunities for water sports.

    🏫 Education

    Education in Santa Isabel is managed by the Puerto Rico Department of Education. The town has several public and private schools that offer education from kindergarten through high school. There are also opportunities for higher education in nearby towns and cities.

    🚧 Transportation

    Santa Isabel is accessible by Puerto Rico Highway 52, a major highway that connects the town to Ponce and San Juan. The town also has a public transportation system that includes public buses. The nearest airport is Mercedita Airport in Ponce, which offers domestic flights.

    📜 Trivia & Events

    Santa Isabel is known for its annual Festival del Pescao, a festival that celebrates the town’s fishing heritage. The festival includes a fishing tournament, live music, and local food. The town is also home to the Santa Isabel Speedway, a popular venue for drag racing.