Hormigueros (Spanish pronunciation: [oɾmiˈɣeɾos], locally [oɭmiˈɣeɾoʔ]) is a town and municipality of Puerto Rico located in the western region of the island, northeast of Cabo Rojo; northwest of San Germán; and south of Mayagüez.

[3] From 1863 to 1873, residents of Hormigueros made formal petitions to be separated from San Germán and be declared an independent municipality.

They were finally granted their independence as a municipality on April 1, 1874, being its first mayor Narciso Oller Serra.

Puerto Rico was ceded by Spain in the aftermath of the Spanish–American War under the terms of the Treaty of Paris of 1898 and became a territory of the United States.

In 1899, the United States Department of War conducted a census of Puerto Rico finding that the population of Hormigueros was 3,215.

The legend has to do with the townspeople aiding Geraldo in finding his eight-year-old daughter, "with eyes as blue as the turquoise skies", when she disappeared.

When his daughter was found 15 days later she was unharmed, not hungry, and unafraid and happily explained that a black woman had helped her.

The municipal buildings, central square and large Catholic church are located in a small barrio referred to as "el pueblo".

The Fiestas Patronales Virgen de la Monserrate is a religious and cultural celebration that generally features parades, games, artisans, amusement rides, regional food, and live entertainment.

On the other hand, Hormigueros does provide abundant land, talent and accessibility for an economic development and expansion.

Statistics taken from the 2000 census shows that 86.0% of Hormiguereños self-identify as Spanish or white origin, 4.9% as black, 0.2% as indigenous or other.

The city belongs to the Puerto Rico Senatorial district IV, which is represented by two senators.

On the blue bottom there's a green hill which is a representation of Our Lady of Monserrate de Hormigueros Sanctuary, with its silver stairway.

On the top of the shield resides a crown formed by a wall, with three towers that have blue doors and windows.

The first one refers to the crowds that gathered at the Basilica Menor on September 8 to honor the Virgin of Montserrat.

[citation needed] Puerto Rico Highway 2 provides access to Hormigueros from the nearby city of Mayagüez, or from Ponce.