Placetas is a city and municipality located in the central region of Cuba within the Villa Clara Province. Prior to the 1959 government change, the province was known as Las Villas. Placetas serves as one of the thirteen subdivisions that make up the province.
The town is also referred to by the name La Villa de los Laureles, a designation attributed to its abundance of wild laurel trees. Additionally, the municipality contains Guaracabulla, which is recognized as the geographical center of Cuba.