town, eastern Puerto Rico. It is located in the Sierra de Cayey foothills along the Humacao River. Founded in 1793 as a town, Humacao received the royal title villa in 1881. The modern town has light industry, including textiles, plastic products, and castor-oil extracting. It lies 5 miles (8 km) from its port, Playa de Humacao. The town has a regional college (1962) of the University of Puerto Rico. The surrounding area produces coffee, sugarcane, and tobacco. Pop. (2000) 20,682.