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.
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.
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.
Before Havana became the capital of Cuba, several other cities served as capitals at different times:
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.
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.
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.
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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