Puerto Rico statistical areas in the context of "Statistical area (United States)"

The Ponce metropolitan area (Spanish: área metropolitana de Ponce), is the second largest metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in Puerto Rico, comprising the municipalities of Ponce, Juana Díaz, Yauco, Villalba, Peñuelas, Adjuntas, and Guayanilla between the coastal plain and the Cordillera Central mountain subrange in the south central region of the main island. One of 6 metropolitan statistical areas in Puerto Rico, it lies within the Ponce–Coamo combined statistical area (CSA), which is one of 3 primary statistical areas in the main island as defined by the United States Census Bureau. As of 2023, census estimates place the population of the Ponce metropolitan area at 266,237.

Arecibo (/ˌærəˈsiːboʊ/; Spanish pronunciation: [aɾeˈsiβo]) is a city and municipality on the northern coast of Puerto Rico, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, located north of Utuado and Ciales; east of Hatillo; and west of Barceloneta and Florida. It is about 50 miles (80 km) west of San Juan, the capital city. Arecibo is the largest municipality in Puerto Rico by area, and it is the core city of the Arecibo Metropolitan Statistical Area and part of the greater San Juan–Bayamón, PR Combined Statistical Area. It is spread over 18 barrios and Arecibo Pueblo (the downtown area and the administrative center of the city). Its population in 2020 was 87,754.

The Arecibo Observatory, which housed the Arecibo telescope, the world's largest radio telescope until July 2016, is located in the municipality. The Arecibo telescope collapsed on December 1, 2020. Arecibo is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arecibo.

The Mayagüez metropolitan area (Spanish: área metropolitana de Mayagüez), is the fourth largest metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in Puerto Rico, comprising the municipalities of Mayagüez, Cabo Rojo, San Germán, Lajas, Sabana Grande, and Hormigueros between the coastal plains and the Cordillera Central mountain subrange in the southwestern region of the main island. One of 6 metropolitan statistical areas in Puerto Rico, it lies within the Mayagüez–Aguadilla combined statistical area (CSA), which is one of 3 primary statistical areas in the main island as defined by the United States Census Bureau. As of 2023, census estimates place the population of the Mayagüez metropolitan area at 207,877.