page_title: Maricao, Puerto Rico
section_title: Economy
hierarchical_section_title: Maricao, Puerto Rico / Economy
caption_attribution_description: April 25, 2011-Maricao, Puerto Rico: These multicrop farms need the shade producing trees to protect their crops from wind damage and minimize soil erosion.
context_page_description: Maricao is the second-least populous municipality of Puerto Rico; it is located at the western edge of the Cordillera Central. It is a small town set around a small plaza in hilly terrain, north of San Germán, Sabana Grande and Yauco; south of Las Marías and Lares, southeast of Mayagüez, and west of Adjuntas. Maricao is spread over 6 wards and Maricao Pueblo.
  The town borders the Maricao Fish Hatchery, a collection of tanks and ponds in a garden setting, where some 25,000 fish are raised yearly to stock farm fishponds and island lakes. The hatchery is part of the Maricao State Forest, also known as Monte del Estado. Though of dryer vegetation than the other mountain forest, Maricao is home to large number of bird species. Its stone observation tower provides far-flung views to the coast and the Mona Passage.
  Maricao has a 2000 census population of 6,449. It has a land area of 37.1 square miles.
context_section_description: For decades, Maricao's economy has relied on agriculture, specifically coffee plantations. Fruits and vegetables are also grown in the town. Currently only one factory is established in Maricao, Fenwal Blood Technologies. Devices and materials that are used in blood donation, transfusion, transportation and storage are produced there. Tourism has also played an important role in the town's economy.
  For two decades, this municipality has had the highest level of children living in poverty in Puerto Rico.
caption: Multi-crop farm in Maricao
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