Ponce

Ponce is a city and municipality on Puerto Rico’s southern coast. It is the island’s second-most populous city after San Juan and serves as the municipal seat of the Ponce municipality. The city was founded in 1692 by Juan Ponce de León y Loaiza and named in his honor, growing into a commercial and cultural center in the island’s south.

Geography and climate: Ponce lies along Bahía de Ponce, near the Salinas Valley, with the Cordillera Central to the north. The area has a tropical savanna climate, characterized by warm temperatures year-round and a distinct dry season.

History and culture: Ponce developed as a major port and commercial hub during the 18th and 19th centuries, with sugar and other agricultural exports shaping its economy. The historic center around Plaza Las Delicias contains the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the city hall, as well as the Parque de Bombas, a red-and-black striped firehouse established in 1882. The Museo de Arte de Ponce, founded by Luis A. Ferré in 1965, houses a notable collection of European and Latin American art. Castillo Serrallés, a 1920s mansion linked to the local sugar industry, stands as another prominent architectural landmark. The city hosts cultural events such as the Carnaval de Ponce, contributing to its regional identity.

Economy and infrastructure: Ponce maintains a diversified economy based on manufacturing, services, and tourism, with historical port activity sustaining trade. The area is served by Mercedita International Airport (PSE) and by a network of highways, including Puerto Rico Route 2.

See also: Ponce’s nickname La Perla del Sur (The Pearl of the South) is sometimes used in reference to its location and heritage. The name Ponce can also refer to other places or individuals, depending on context.