Havana
Havana (/həˈvænə/; Spanish: La Habana [la aˈβana] ⓘ; Lucumi: Ilú Pupu Ilé) is the capital and largest city of Cuba. The heart of the La Habana Province, Havana is the country's main port and commercial center. It is the most populous city, the largest by area, and the second largest metropolitan area in the Caribbean region. The population in 2002 was 2,137,847 inhabitants, and its area is 728.26 km2 (281.18 sq mi) for the capital city side and 8,475.57 km2 for the metropolitan zone.
Havana
La Habana | |
|---|---|
Capital city and province | |
| Municipio de La Habana | |
From the top to the left: Castillo del Morro; Barrio chino; Malecón; Palacio de la Revolución; and Línea Street | |
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Flag | |
| Nickname: City of Columns | |
Havana Location in Cuba Havana Havana (Caribbean) Havana Havana (Gulf of Mexico) | |
| Coordinates: 23°08′12″N 82°21′32″W | |
| Country | Cuba |
| Metro Zone | Greater Havana |
| Established | November 16, 1519 (current place) |
| Municipalities | 15 |
| Government | |
| • Body | Gobierno Provincial de La Habana |
| • Governor | Reynaldo García Zapata (PCC) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 728.26 km2 (281.18 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 59 m (195 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 2,130,872 |
| • Rank | 7th in North America 1st in Cuba |
| • Density | 2,926/km2 (7,580/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Habaneros-habaneras |
| GDP (PPP, constant 2015 values) | |
| • Year | 2023 |
| • Total | $41.1 billion |
| • Per capita | $19,100 |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (UTC−05:00) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (UTC−04:00) |
| Postal code | 10xxx–19xxx |
| Area code | (+53) 07 |
| ISO 3166 code | CU-03 |
| Patron saint | San Cristóbal |
| HDI (2019) | 0.834 – very high |
| Website | www |
UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| Official name | Old Havana and its Fortification System |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | iv, v |
| Designated | 1982 (6th session) |
| Reference no. | 204 |
| Region | Latin America and the Caribbean |
Havana was founded by the Spanish in the 16th century. It served as a springboard for the Spanish conquest of the Americas, becoming a stopping point for Spanish galleons returning to Spain. Philip II of Spain granted Havana the title of capital in 1607. Walls and forts were built to protect the city.
The city is the seat of the Cuban government and various ministries, and headquarters of businesses and over 100 diplomatic offices. The governor is Reinaldo García Zapata of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC). In 2009, the city/province had the third-highest income in the country.
Contemporary Havana can essentially be described as three cities in one: Old Havana, Vedado and the newer suburban districts. The city extends mostly westward and southward from the bay, which is entered through a narrow inlet and which divides into three main harbors: Marimelena, Guanabacoa and Antares. The Almendares River traverses the city from south to north, entering the Straits of Florida a few miles west of the bay.
The city attracts over a million tourists annually; (1,176,627 international tourists in 2010, a 20% increase from 2005). Old Havana was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. The city is also noted for its history, culture, architecture and monuments. As typical of Cuba, Havana experiences a tropical climate.