It was named for the independence fighter Carlos Manuel de Céspedes (1819-1874).

It is located in the western part of the province, along the Carretera Central highway.

[citation needed] In 2022, the municipality of Carlos M. de Cespedes had a population of 22,842.

Céspedes is crossed by the Carretera Central highway and counts a railway station on the Havana-Santiago de Cuba line.

A planned extension of the A1 motorway that will span the entire island will intersect the town.