caguas, puerto rico

Caguas (founded in 1775) is a municipality located in the eastern central area of Puerto Rico. It is known as El Valle Del Turabo (Turabo Valley) or La Ciudad Criolla (The Creole City) and its name originates from the Tano cacique Caguax. Caguas is located one half hour by car from San Juan and one and a half hours from Ponce. Natives of Caguas are called cageos.

Economy

Its community has enjoyed one of the best economies among Puerto Rican cities since at least the 1980s. During the early part of the 20th century, Caguas hosted one of Puerto Rico's most important sugar manufacturers, which gave employment to thousands of cageos. Numerous business and important buildings have opened up there since then, including the imposing 23 story apartment building Caguas Tower, its adjacent competitors Bonneville Apartments, the 10 floor San Juan Bautista Medical Center, Plaza Del Carmen Mall, Plaza Centro Mall, Las Catalinas Mall, and various other important structures.

Sports

Baseball team

The Criollos de Caguas baseball team are considered the greatest of all-time in all of Latin America, having won 14 national Puerto Rico titles and 11 Caribbean World Series titles; both titles are records. The team is a member of the LBPPR.

Basketball team

The Criollos de Caguas basketball team haven't enjoyed so much success as their fellow town brothers of the baseball team, but in the early 2000s, they showed a lot of progress by reaching the national playoffs various times. The team is a member of the BSN.

Boxing

Caguas counts with the Bairoa Gym, one of the most important boxing gyms in all Puerto Rico and a place where many visiting champions have trained at; such as boxing prospect Miguel Cotto, his brother Jose Miguel, Alberto Mercado, Juan Carazo, Hector Camacho, Alfredo Escalera and others.

Volleyball team

The Criollas de Caguas women's volleyball team was a back-to-back national champion from 2000 to 2002. The team is a member of the LVSFPR.

Politics

During the 1980s the city was directed by Mayor Angel O. Berrios, and these days, it is commanded by Mayor William Miranda Marin, both members of the PPD — the party has led the city for many years.