The capital of Cuba, Havana is the largest city in the Caribbean region. The city is located on the north coast of Cuba, along a deep-sea bay with a protected harbor. It is known for its Spanish colonial-style buildings, though many of them have fallen into disrepair. Despite this, Havana's many theaters, nightclubs, and music venues help to make the city a popular tourist destination for people from all over the world.

Places of interest

Many of Havana's historic sites are located in the part of the city known as Old Havana. The Cathedral of San Cristóbal of Havana, known for its uneven towers, is located on the Plaza of the Cathedral in Old Havana. On weekends craft markets bring many people to the plaza. Also in Old Havana is the Castillo (Castle) de la Fuerza. This castle is the oldest in Havana, built from 1565 to 1583. The Palace of the Captains General stands on the Plaza de Armas. No longer used as a palace, the building is now the home of the Museum of the City of Havana.

Across the harbor from Old Havana stands Morro Castle, a landmark of the city. Morro Castle dates back to the 17th century, but it has a 19th-century lighthouse attached to it. Central Havana is the location of the old National Capitol, which once was home to the Cuban legislature. Today the domed building houses the Cuban Academy of Sciences. Just outside the city is a former home of the 20th-century American writer Ernest Hemingway, who lived in Cuba for many years.

Economy

Manufacturing is an important part of Havana's economy. The city's factories produce food, beverages, chemicals, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. In addition, building ships and vehicles and making world-famous Havana cigars help to drive the economy. Havana is Cuba's main port, so a majority of Cuban imports and exports pass through Havana. The port also supports fishing.

History

The city of Havana was established in 1519 by the Spanish. The deep, protected port attracted many settlers, making the city grow quickly. In 1607 Havana was made the capital of Cuba. In 1762 the British controlled the city, but less than a year later they gave Havana back to Spain. In the 18th and 19th centuries, trade was important to Havana, and the city continued to grow.

During Cuba's wars of independence from Spain in the 19th century, Havana remained untouched by the fighting. Havana continued to be the capital of Cuba when the independent Republic of Cuba was formed in 1902. During the first half of the 20th century, Havana was known as a playground for wealthy Cubans and Americans because of its thriving gambling and nightclub scene. However, when Fidel Castro, a Communist dictator, took power in Cuba in 1959, the situation changed. Castro focused on improving the conditions in the countryside, and Havana began to decline.

Although Havana does not thrive as it once did, it remains a lively city. In order to help protect historic Old Havana, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared the area a World Heritage site in 1982. Although progress was slow, efforts were undertaken to restore parts of the city. Population (1993 estimate), 2,175,990.