Cayey, Puerto Rico
Cayey (Spanish pronunciation: [kaˈʝej]), officially Cayey de Muesas, is a mountain town and municipality in central Puerto Rico located on the Sierra de Cayey within the Central Mountain range, north of Salinas and Guayama; south of Cidra and Caguas; east of Aibonito and Salinas; and west of San Lorenzo. Cayey is spread over 21 barrios plus Cayey Pueblo (the downtown area and the administrative center). It is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Cayey
Municipio Autónomo de Cayey Cayey de Muesas | |
|---|---|
Town and Municipality | |
Cayey mountains, valley and hills with homes | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
| Nicknames: "Ciudad de las Brumas", "Ciudad del Torito", "Ciudad del Coquí Dorado" | |
| Anthem: "Alma Boricua" | |
Map of Puerto Rico highlighting Cayey Municipality | |
| Coordinates: 18°06′42″N 66°09′57″W | |
| Sovereign state | United States |
| Commonwealth | Puerto Rico |
| Founded | August 17, 1773 |
| Barrios | 22 barrios
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| Government | |
| • Mayor | Rolando Ortíz Velázquez (PPD) |
| • Senatorial dist. | 6 – Guayama |
| • Representative dist. | 29 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 50.20 sq mi (130.01 km2) |
| • Land | 50 sq mi (130 km2) |
| • Water | 0.004 sq mi (.01 km2) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 41,652 |
| • Rank | 20th in Puerto Rico |
| • Density | 830/sq mi (320/km2) |
| Demonym | Cayeyanos |
| Time zone | UTC−4 (AST) |
| ZIP Codes | 00736, 00737 |
| Area code | 787/939 |
| Major routes | |
| Website | www |
Cayey is notable for its surrounding mountains. The city has been actively growing since the 1990s, evidenced by its designation as a Metropolitan Area by the U.S. Census Bureau. It has experienced significant growth in commerce, and many major retailers, such as Wal-Mart have opened stores in the city. Industries in Cayey include sugar, tobacco and poultry. For tobacco there is a well-known company called Consolidated Cigar Corp. A new coliseum and hospital facilities have also been built. Coca-Cola is a major corporation that has a manufacturing facility in the town. Cayey is also host to one of the campuses of the University of Puerto Rico, the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey.