What is the Capital of Cuba?
Cuba is a big island in the Caribbean Sea with lots of history, culture, and beautiful nature. People know it for its great music and lovely beaches. In this article, we’ll talk about what is the capital of Cuba, its former capitals, and much more.
Capital of Cuba
Havana is the capital city of Cuba, the most important and bustling city. Havana is renowned for its colonial architecture, lively streets, and rich cultural heritage. You can see lots of historic places, as old forts turned into museums and big buildings from long ago. Havana is also where all the music and fun happen, with salsa dancing and delicious Cuban food to try.
It’s the biggest city in Cuba and where the country’s politics, money, and culture come together. People love Havana for its colorful vibe, pretty beaches, and mix of artsy stuff. Tourists from all over the world love visiting Havana because it’s so friendly and welcoming. You’ll feel like part of the community walking around the city’s streets.
Where is Havana?
Havana, the lively center of Cuba, sits on the island’s northwest side, looking out over the Straits of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. Its position has always been important for trade in the Caribbean because it’s a major port city. Havana is about 150 kilometers south of the Florida Keys. An interesting detail is that the Almendares River flows through Havana from south to north before reaching the Straits of Florida. Being on Cuba’s north coast means Havana has access to the Caribbean Sea, with lots of beaches and coastal areas nearby.
Its harbor, called Havana Harbor (Bahía de La Habana), is one of the biggest and most important in the Caribbean. Havana isn’t just a city by the coast, it’s a city by the bay. It stretches out to the west and south from Havana Bay, which gives it a natural harbor protected by a narrow entrance.
Interesting Facts about Cuba
- The Old Havana (Habana Vieja) part of Havana is unique. UNESCO, which is a big organization that protects special places around the world, calls it a World Heritage Site. This area is known for its ancient buildings that have been taken care of since the 16th century.
- Underneath the streets of Old Havana, there are tunnels called Murallas de La Habana. They were made in the 17th century to protect against pirates.
- Havana is really good at boxing and has made lots of famous boxers, like Teófilo Stevenson and Félix Savón, who are known all over the world.
- Cubans love playing dominoes! It’s a fun game that people of all ages in Havana enjoy doing together.
- The Teatro Nacional de Cuba is not just an amazing building but also houses the world’s third-largest ballet company.
- Havana is famous for its old-style buildings, but it’s also becoming known for its cool street art. You can find lots of colorful paintings and graffiti all over the city.
- The Malecón is a wide walkway, roadway, and seawall along Havana’s coast that goes on for 8 kilometers. It’s a great place for hanging out, taking walks, and watching the sunset because it’s always lively and fun.
- Havana is famous for its lots of old cars from the 1950s that people still drive around as taxis and their own cars. These vintage rides are usually painted in bright colors and kept super clean, adding to the city’s charm.
Former Capitals of Cuba
Before Havana became the capital of Cuba, several other cities served as capitals at different times:
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Baracoa
Baracoa, located on the northeastern coast of Cuba, was the first capital of Cuba. It was founded by the Spanish in 1511 and served as the capital until 1515.
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Santiago de Cuba
Santiago de Cuba, situated in the southeastern part of the island, became the capital of Cuba in 1515 after it was moved from Baracoa. It remained the capital until 1556 when it was relocated to Havana.
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San Cristóbal de la Habana (Havana)
Before Havana became the permanent capital in 1556, it was known as San Cristóbal de la Habana and served as the capital temporarily during certain periods of Spanish colonial rule.
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San Salvador de Bayamo (Bayamo)
Bayamo, located in the eastern part of Cuba, briefly served as the capital of Cuba in 1869 during the Ten Years’ War, a rebellion against Spanish colonial rule. However, the capital was later moved back to Havana.
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