1947 Map of Penuelas SO

About this map

Peñuelas sits at the northern edge of this coastal valley, where the rugged topography of the southern cordillera meets the agricultural lowlands. The 1943 topography reveals a landscape transitioning from the steep, clustered contours of the hills to the managed lands of Hacienda Dolores. Transportation in this era was dominated by the American Railroad of Porto Rico, which traces the coastline and connects the settlements of Tallaboa and Seboruco. The drainage patterns of the Rio Tallaboa and Guayanés define the fertile corridors between the heights, providing a clear view of the regional water system before mid-century development. This preliminary survey, published by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Gobierno de Puerto Rico, captures the rural character of the municipality when sugar estates and rail lines were the primary drivers of the local economy.