1945 Map of Central Aguirre

About this map

The sugar economy and industrial coastal geography of southern Puerto Rico are clearly visible on this mid-1940s survey. The landscape is anchored by Central Aguirre, a major sugar mill settlement situated on the Bahía de Jobos. This industrial hub is linked by the Ponce and Guayama rail line and the Central Guamaní railroad to surrounding agricultural clusters such as Hacienda Mercedes and various colonias like Colonia Reunión and Colonia Josefa. The map reveals a complex irrigation and water management system essential for sugar cultivation, including the Canal de Patillas, the Canal de Guamaní, and Lago Melania. Coastal features such as the mangrove-lined Laguna de las Mareas and the Cayos de Barca archipelago define the transition to the Mar Caribe, while the Boca del Infierno marks the passage through the protective reef systems.