Ponce is a large town, the second in land area in Puerto Rico. It has 116 square miles, equivalent to 76.444 cds. (278.4 kms2).  Its extraordinary location, facing the Caribbean Sea and approximately in the center of the southern coast, has been the city’s advantage for three hundred years, helping it to remain the second largest town of the island.

Its territory is bordered to the west by Penuelas, to the north by Adjuntas, Utuado and Jayuya, and Juana Diaz borders the east.  It is divided into the following districts: Anon, Bucana, Canas, Capitanejo, Carrillos, Coto Laurel, Guaraguao, Machuel, Maguey, Maraguez, Marueno, Monte Llano, Portuguese, Lemon Creek, Water Creek, Royal, Sabaneta, San Patricio, Tibes and Vayas.

Its urban area has many large urban districts and neighborhoods.  Some are: Alhambra, Belgium, San Anton, Barriada Ferran, Clausells, Constancia, El Vigia, Jardines Fagot, La Rambla, Las Americas, Mariani, Morell Campos, Los Caobos, Hacienda La Matilde, and Canas.  In addition to its historic center, the coastal village of La Playa is within the municipality.

Climate
Ponce is in the southern coastal plain with varied average rainfalls.  The average in the coastal area is 36″, while the average of the interior region is 48″, and to the north the Cordillera Central has an average of 60″.  The temperature also varies widely.  Its coastline has an average annual temperature of 105°F, the interior averages 76°F, and in the mountains the average is 72°F.  The city’s record maximum temperature was 100°F on August 21, 2003; the minimum was 51°F on January 25, 1993.

Geography

Several rivers and streams passing through the area have intermittent courses.  The most important river is the Portuguese, which flows through the city.  In the past it caused some flooding and has now been channeled.  This drains into the river Bucana and they flow together into the port.  The Cerrillos River flows down the Cordillera Central and forms the dammed lake of the same name.  Below this dam is the Bronze.  Both dams are used for irrigation in agriculture and for household uses.  Ponce’s Cucharas beach has a lagoon of salt water.  Its extensive coastline forms bays and inlets, and numerous islets and cays are located near Ponce..

Roadways
Ponce has been connected to San Juan since the nineteenth century construction of the Old Central Highway (now Route 14), and with other cities and towns in the country since the early twentieth century when roads 123, 135 and 1 were built.  The most important roads are Route 52, Route 2, and Route 10.   Route 52 (Autopista Las Americas / Luis A. Ferre), heads east from Ponce and leads to Caguas and San Juan.  Route 2 heads west of Ponce and leads to Yauco, Mayaguez and Aguadilla, and Route 10 heads north of Ponce and leads to the interior of the island (Adjuntas, Utuado and Lares) and Arecibo.

From the 1950s until 1990 the old terminal Ponce Circunvalacion Railroad (now disappeared) served Ponce.  There was also the Terminal Railroad between Ponce and Guayama. At present there are only remnants of the rail network in the land of the Mercedita Refinery.

Health
Ponce has five modern hospitals, one of which specializes in cancer treatment. The hospitals are:

Hospital Damas
Hospital Episcopal San Lucas (formerly District Hospital)
Andres Grillasca Cancer Hospital
Dr. Pila Hospital
Hospital San Cristobal

Places of Interest / Culture
Ponce is a tourist destination.  Since 1960, the hotel chain Holiday Inn Hotels has been present in the city for tourists.  Currently, Mercedita International Airport serves mainly domestic flights.  Among the tourist attractions of the city are Mansion Seralles and the nineteenth century architecture around the Plaza Central.

Ponce is home of the Museo de Arte de Ponce, which was founded and managed by former Gov. Luis A. Ferre until he died at 99 years of age.

Other attractions include:

Castillo Serralles
Ponce Cathedral, dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe
Centro Ceremonial Indigena de Tibes
Traditional Town Center Ponce
Cruceta El Vigia
Hacienda Buena Vista
The Guancha
Museo Casa Paoli
Museum of History
Ponce Museum of Slaughter
Enrique Monagas Park
Park Wito Morales
Park Pumps
Plaza Las Delicias
Carnaval de Ponce

Carnaval de Ponce
Ponce Carnival is the oldest on the island of Puerto Rico.  It celebrated its 149th anniversary in 2007 with a parade of floats, dance, African rhythms and The Burial of the Sardine. The Carnaval of 2007 was dedicated to the Puerto Ricans in New York.  Men, women and children danced the rhythms of bomba and plena until midnight around the Plaza Delicias in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

The festival includes parades, dances, presentations and other surprises.  Carnaval begins on Wednesday in front of City Hall with the masquerade.  Thursday is the entry of King Momo, Friday is the coronation of the infant queen, and a parade on Saturday features the crowning of the queen.  Sunday is the big parade of the carnival.

The dance is on Monday, and The Burial of the Sardine, with a grand parade is on Tuesday of Carnival.  Ponce Carnival culminates on Tuesday, prior to Ash Wednesday.