Placetas

History

Placetas was founded on September 9, 1861 mainly due to the sugar production industry. Nowadays, the main produce of the area is tobacco. The main contribution to its foundation came from Jose Martinez-Fortun y Erles, a Spanish Marques and former colonel in the Spanish Army. The town is located on the Carretera Central road, which cuts through the town. The town's position on this road has allowed it to serve as a stop for many travellers. Placetas has grown considerably over the years, being declared a town in 1881 and a city in 1925. In 1879 it was established as its own municipality. Annual celebrations displaying the local pride of each barrio used to take place until the 1990s, when the government stopped them.

Geography

Placetas lies southwest of its province, next to the borders with the one of Sancti Spíritus. Nearest towns include Zulueta (to the north), Remedios (to the northeast), Cabaiguán and Fomento (to the east), and Santa Clara and Camajuaní (to the west). The springs of Zaza River, that runs from the outskirts of Placetas to the sea, are located near the town. The river Zaza is currently an environmental preservation area. The municipality borders with Manicaragua, Santa Clara, Camajuaní, Remedios, Cabaiguán and Fomento. Its territory includes the villages of Báez, Benito Juárez, Carbó Serviá, Falcón, Falero, Guaracabulla, Hermanos Ameijeiras, Manzanares, Máximo, Miller, Nazareno, Oliver and Suazo.

Most-observed species

• Turkey Vulture

  Cathartes aura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  65
• Greater Antillean Grackle

  Quiscalus niger (Boddaert, 1783) · Aves
  31
• House Sparrow

  Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  30
• Smooth-billed Ani

  Crotophaga ani Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  29
• Northern Mockingbird

  Mimus polyglottos (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  28
• American Kestrel

  Falco sparverius Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  27
• Common Ground-Dove

  Columbina passerina (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  26
• Cuban Blackbird

  Dives atroviolaceus (Orbigny, 1839) · Aves
  25