Adjuntas, Puerto Rico

City of the Sleeping Giant

Adjuntas (ahd-HOON-tahs) is known as the City of the Sleeping Giant, the Land of Lakes, and the Switzerland of Puerto Rico. The silhouette of the “Sleeping Giant” is formed by a mountain range that, when viewed from town, resembles the profile of a reclining person.

Every March, the town celebrates the Festival of the Cidra, dedicated to a traditional local fruit, and in August, around the 21st, the patron saint festivities in honor of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne take place.

Located in the western region of the Cordillera Central, Adjuntas features mountainous terrain and a cool climate, with winter temperatures dropping to the 50s °F (10 °C). It borders Lares and Utuado to the north; Yauco, Guayanilla, and Peñuelas to the south; Utuado and Ponce to the east; and Lares and Yauco to the west.

The nickname Land of Lakes comes from its reservoirs and bodies of water, such as Lago Las Garzas and Lago Guayo, as well as major rivers like the Portugués, the Río Grande de Arecibo, and the Río Grande de Añasco.

In the western part of the municipality lies the Guilarte State Forest, which also extends into Peñuelas, Guayanilla, and Yauco. This high-elevation forest, reaching up to 3,950 feet (1,204 m), is home to native species such as the Sierra palm, caimitillo, and granadillo, as well as introduced eucalyptus.

In the 1980s, the community organization Casa Pueblo emerged in Adjuntas, successfully halting an open-pit mining project that threatened the Cordillera Central. Since then, it has promoted conservation, solar energy, and environmental education projects, and manages the Puerto Rican Biosphere Reserve in the Adjuntas Highlands, which spans 36,000 cuerdas (14,149 hectares) across ten municipalities at elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 feet.

Coffee is an essential part of Adjuntas’s identity. Since the late 19th century, coffee cultivation has been its main economic activity, and local coffee is recognized both inside and outside of Puerto Rico. Other activities include livestock farming, the cultivation of minor crops, and, to a lesser extent, manufacturing.

Together with Utuado and Jayuya, Adjuntas is part of one of the island’s richest mineral zones, with deposits of gold, molybdenum, and copper (chalcopyrite), although exploitation has been limited for environmental reasons.

Adjuntas combines mountainous landscapes, abundant waters, coffee-growing traditions, and a strong community commitment to environmental preservation, making it a unique place to visit and explore.

Foundation:

Adjuntas was founded on August 11, 1815, by Don Diego Maldonado. Its name comes from tierras adjuntas (adjacent lands), as it originally formed part of the territory of the Villa of San Blás de Illescas, known today as Coamo.

From the early years of the 19th century, the valley was home to a small settlement of about twenty families in the area known as Calle de Canas. Don Diego Maldonado led the town’s first parish, establishing the religious center of the community.

In 1831, Adjuntas was composed of four barrios; today it has 15 barrios. In 1914, the San Joaquín Parish was built next to the Town Hall. It was later demolished and replaced in 1968 by the new church, located across from the current Plaza de Recreo, which continues to serve as a central point of religious and cultural life in the municipality.

Location:

Adjuntas is located in the western region of the Cordillera Central. It borders Lares and Utuado to the north; Yauco, Guayanilla, and Peñuelas to the south; Utuado and Ponce to the east; and Lares and Yauco to the west.

Area:

The municipality of Adjuntas covers an area of 172 square kilometers (66.5 square miles).

Population:

According to the 2020 Census, Adjuntas had a population of 18,020 inhabitants. This represents a slight decrease compared to the 2010 Census, when the population was 18,146.

Population Density:

Based on its population and area, Adjuntas has a population density of approximately 111 people per km² (287.8 per square mile), offering a peaceful environment with close contact with nature.

People are known as:

The inhabitants of Adjuntas are known as Adjunteños.

Adjuntas is also known as:

Adjuntas has several nicknames that highlight its natural and cultural features:

• The City of the Sleeping Giant
• The Switzerland of Puerto Rico
• The Land of Lakes

Wards: Adjuntas, Puerto Rico

According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Adjuntas had a total population of 18,020 inhabitants distributed across 17 barrios. The population by barrio is as follows:

Censo 2020: Population by Wards - Adjuntas	Habitants
Adjuntas Pueblo	4,660
Capáez	1,010
Garzas	973
Guayabo Dulce	101
Guayo	753
Juan González	736
Limaní	341
Pellejas	670
Portillo	494
Portugués	494
Saltillo	2,678
Tanamá	897
Vegas Abajo	518
Vegas Arriba	1,131
Yahuecas	1,434
Yayales	619
Total	18,020

Source: Censo:2020

Topography:

The terrain of Adjuntas is very rugged, as it is located in the Cordillera Central of Puerto Rico. Its highest mountains are:

• Monte Guilarte: 3,953 feet (1,205 meters)
• Silla de Calderón: 3,773 feet (1,150 meters)
• Cerro Vaquiñas: 3,346 feet (1,020 meters)

This mountainous geography contributes to the region’s cool climate, the presence of rivers and lakes, and the historical development of coffee cultivation, which thrives on the slopes of these mountains.

Hydrography:

Adjuntas is home to five of Puerto Rico’s most important artificial reservoirs:

• Lago Adjuntas
• Lago Pellejas
• Lago Garzas
• Lago Yahuecas
• Lago Guayo

Additionally, its river system includes the Río Grande de Arecibo, Tanamá, Limaní, Vacas, Pellejas, and Río Cidra, providing abundant water resources and supporting the agricultural richness of the region.

Climate:

Adjuntas has a cool and humid climate, with an annual rainfall of 87 inches and an average temperature of 72 °F (22 °C).

• Summer: Hot days (83°–85°F / 28°–29°C) and mild nights (60°–63°F / 16°–17°C)
• Winter: Moderately warm days and cool nights (50°–60°F / 10°–16°C). After cold fronts, temperatures can drop to 40°F (4°C).

This temperate climate is ideal for coffee cultivation and other agricultural activities and also influences the biodiversity of the region’s forests and rivers.

Economy:

Adjuntas maintains a diversified economy with emphasis on:

• Agriculture: Coffee remains the primary crop, making Adjuntas the largest coffee producer in Puerto Rico. Other agricultural products include plantains, cidra (a type of citrus), oranges, and livestock.
• Tourism: Agrotourism has become increasingly important. Projects such as Hacienda Tres Ángeles offer experiences that allow visitors to learn about local agricultural practices.
• Renewable Energy: Adjuntas is a pioneer in clean energy, hosting community solar microgrids developed by Casa Pueblo in collaboration with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Average Salary:

According to data from the U.S. Department of Labor, the average weekly wage in Adjuntas during the third quarter of 2021 was $355.

Flag:

The flag of Adjuntas takes its design and symbolism from the municipality’s coat of arms. A diagonal white stripe divides the flag into two irregular triangles:

• Upper triangle: Violet
• Lower triangle: Green

In the center of each triangle is a white Illesca cross, symbolizing Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, the patron saints of Adjuntas.

Coat Of Arms:

The coat of arms of Adjuntas is rich in religious and historical symbolism reflecting the municipality’s identity:

• Golden staff or crozier (right half): Represents the Patriarchs of the Old Testament, specifically Saint Joachim, father of the Blessed Virgin and patron of Adjuntas.
• Spinning wheel: Refers to domestic work and symbolizes Saint Anne, mother of the Blessed Virgin and co-patron of the town.
• Eight-pointed silver star: Represents Our Lady as God’s gift to the holy couple.
• Sun below the cross: Symbolizes the light that illuminates the world, representing faith and truth for those who believe in it.
• Two silver bells and two fleur-de-lis crosses: Refer to the ecclesiastical and civil union with the Vicaría of Coamo. These crosses also appear in Coamo’s coat of arms, derived from the arms of the villa and the Illescas lineage.

The coat of arms reflects the town’s religious history, family traditions, and historical connection with Coamo, integrating elements that represent both the protection of its patron saints and the identity of the municipality.