Mayaguez, my home town, is called "La Sultana del Oeste".  It was founded in 1760 by Faustino Martínez de Matos, Juan de Silva and Juan de Aponte. Derives its name from a local Taino Indian Chief Mayagez, which means "place of great waters".
    It is the third-largest city in PR and is considered one of the most important in the island.  The city itself is centered around the impressive Spanish-style Plaza Colon, a tribute to Christopher Columbus, whose stature stands in the middle of the square, surrounded by 16 bronze statues.  The population is of about 100,000 people.
    Mayagüez is home of the only Zoo in the island, Mayagüez Zoo, home of numerous birds, mammals and reptiles (including Bengal tigers, and Andean condors among others).  Cages and open compounds stand in an attractively landscaped setting of small islands, a lake, tropical vegetation and childrens playground.
(http://welcome.topuertorico.org/city/mayag.shtml)