Placetas

Placetas, city, central Cuba. It lies about 20 miles (32 km) east-southeast of Santa Clara.

Placetas is a commercial and manufacturing centre for the rich agricultural and pastoral hinterland. Tobacco, sugarcane, fruits, and cattle are processed in the city, and gold and asphalt are found in the vicinity. Goods are exported through the port of Caibarién to the north or sent to Santa Clara via the country’s Central Highway and a major rail line. Pop. (2002) 40,982; (2011 est.) 40,600.