Havana

Havana is the capital and largest city of Cuba. It is the country's main port and commercial center, and it is the most populous city in the Caribbean region. In 2021, the city had a population of over two million people.

Havana was founded in 1519 by the Spanish Empire. Because of its excellent harbor, it quickly became very important for Spain. The city grew with walls and forts to protect it from attacks. Today, Havana is home to the Cuban government, many businesses, and more than one hundred diplomatic offices.

The city of Havana today includes three main areas: Old Havana, Vedado, and newer suburban districts. Old Havana was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 because of its historic buildings. Every year, over a million tourists visit Havana to see its history, culture, and beautiful architecture. The city has a warm, tropical climate, like the rest of Cuba.

Etymology

In 1514, Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar started a town called San Cristóbal de la Habana, meaning 'Saint Christopher of the Habana'. Some think the name comes from Habaguanex, a leader of a local Taíno group. When the name was used in English, the letter ⟨b⟩ changed to a ⟨v⟩ due to a sound change in Spanish. The name Havana became well-known, especially during the Spanish–American War. Today, "Havana" can refer to the city, a type of cigar, a color, and even a kind of rabbit.

History

Main article: History of Havana

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Havana.

16th century

Beginnings

Diego Velázquez founded Havana in 1514, but the first spot was not good, so they moved. By 1519, they found a better place by a good harbor, which is where Havana began.

Attacks

See also: Piracy in the Caribbean

As Havana grew as a port, it faced attacks by pirates and others. The Spanish built forts to protect the city and its important trade.

17th century

Havana grew a lot in the 1600s. New buildings, including castles and churches, were built from local materials like wood.

In 1649, a sickness from yellow fever killed many people. In 1674, work began on city walls for protection, finished by 1740.

18th century

By the mid-1700s, Havana had over seventy thousand people, making it one of the biggest cities in the Americas. It was a key port for Spain.

In the Siege of Havana during the Seven Years' War, British forces took the city but returned it to Spain in 1763. Spain then made Havana very fortified.

19th century

Havana grew as trade increased. It had theaters, fancy homes, and in 1837, Cuba’s first railroad, built between Havana and Bejucal.

20th century

Republican era

Havana became Cuba’s capital in 1902. By the late 1950s, it was wealthy but faced issues with unemployment and economic problems.

Post-revolution

After the Cuban Revolution in 1959, changes were made to improve social services, but economic challenges followed, especially after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

21st century

Efforts to grow tourism have led to repairs in Old Havana. In January 2019, a strong tornado caused damage and injuries in Havana.

Administration

See also: List of mayors of Havana

Havana's city government has changed over time. It began with the Havana City Council in 1550. Later, during the Captaincy General of Cuba, the council continued its work.

After Cuba's war for independence, a new government formed in 1901. The Havana City Council started again, with leaders chosen by the people. After the Cuban Revolution in 1959, the government changed again. Today, Havana is both a city and a province, led by a city-provincial council with a governor. The current governor, Yanet Hernández Pérez, was elected in 2023.

People in Havana elect representatives to help make decisions for their neighborhoods. These groups work together to support local areas. In 2010, the area around Havana was divided into two new provinces: Artemisa and Mayabeque Province.

Geography

Location

Havana is found on the northern coast of Cuba, close to the Straits of Florida. It is south of the Florida Keys, where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Atlantic Ocean. The city stretches mostly west and south from its bay, which has three main harbors: Marimelena, Guanabacoa, and Atarés. The Almendares River flows through the city from south to north and ends in the Straits of Florida.

The city sits mostly on gentle hills rising from the Florida Strait. One special feature is a limestone ridge that is about 200 feet high (60 meters), which slopes up from the east and ends at the heights of La Cabaña and El Morro. Another rise is a hill in the west where the University of Havana and the Castillo del Príncipe (Havana) are located.

Climate

Havana has a tropical climate that is made milder by trade winds and warm ocean currents. It has a tropical savanna climate which is close to a tropical rainforest climate and a tropical monsoon climate. Temperatures usually range from 22 °C (72 °F) in January and February to 28 °C (82 °F) in August. It almost never gets below 10 °C (50 °F). Rain falls most in June and October and least from December through April. Havana sometimes faces hurricanes, but they usually hit the south coast, so the city has less damage than other parts of the country.

Municipalities

The city is divided into 15 areas, also called boroughs, which are split into smaller parts called consejos populares (wards).

The boroughs are:

1. Playa: Santa Fe, Siboney, Cubanacán, Ampliación Almendares, Miramar, Sierra, Ceiba, Buena Vista.
2. Plaza de la Revolución: El Carmelo, Vedado-Malecón, Rampa, Príncipe, Plaza, Nuevo Vedado-Puentes Grandes, Colón-Nuevo Vedado, Vedado.
3. Centro Habana: Cayo Hueso, Pueblo Nuevo, Los Sitios, Dragones, Colón.
4. La Habana Vieja: Prado, Catedral, Plaza Vieja, Belén, San Isidro, Jesús María, Tallapiedra.
5. Regla: Guaicanimar, Loma Modelo, Casablanca.
6. La Habana del Este: Camilo Cienfuegos, Cojímar, Guiteras, Alturas de Alamar, Alamar Este, Guanabo, Campo Florido, Alamar-Playa.
7. Guanabacoa: Mañana-Habana Nueva, Villa I, Villa II, Chivas-Roble, Debeche-Nalon, Hata-Naranjo, Peñalver-Bacuranao, Minas-Barreras.
8. San Miguel del Padrón: Rocafort, Luyanó Moderno, Diezmero, San Francisco de Paula, Dolores-Veracruz, Jacomino.
9. Diez de Octubre: Luyanó, Jesús del Monte, Lawton, Vista Alegre, Goyle, Sevillano, La Víbora, Santos Suárez, Tamarindo.
10. Cerro: Latinoamericano, Pilar-Atares, Cerro, Las Cañas, El Canal, Palatino, Armada.
11. Marianao: CAI-Los Ángeles, Pocito-Palmas, Zamora-Cocosolo, Libertad, Pogoloti-Belén-Finlay, Santa Felicia.
12. La Lisa: Alturas de La Lisa, Balcón Arimao, El Cano-Valle Grande-Bello 26 y Morado, Punta Brava, Arroyo Arenas, San Agustín, Versalles-Coronela.
13. Boyeros: Santiago de Las Vegas, Nuevo Santiago, Boyeros, Wajay, Calabazar, Altahabana-Capdevila, Armada-Aldabó.
14. Arroyo Naranjo: Los Pinos, Poey, Víbora Park, Mantilla, Párraga, Calvario-Fraternidad, Guinera, Eléctrico, Managua, Callejas.
15. Cotorro: San Pedro-Centro Cotorro, Santa Maria del Rosario, Lotería, Cuatro Caminos, Magdalena-Torriente, Alberro.

Demography

By the end of the 2012 count, about 19.1% of Cuba's people lived in Havana, which means around 2,106,146 people. The city has an average life expectancy of 76.81 years at birth. By the end of 2024, after the Cuban migration crisis of 2021-2023, which affected Havana and nearby areas, the population dropped to 1,749,964.

Havana grew quickly in the early 1900s and reached 1 million people by 1943. The city's growth slowed later due to careful planning, fewer babies being born, and many people moving to other countries. Havana has more older people than the rest of Cuba because of its lower birth rate and longer life expectancy.

Ethnic breakdown

According to the 2012 count, Havana's people are mostly from different backgrounds:

• White: 58.4% (many with Spanish ancestors)
• Mestizo or Mulatto (mixed race): 26.4%
• Black: 15.2%
• Asian: 0.2%

Like other Caribbean places, Havana has fewer mixed-race people than some other countries because the native Taíno people were greatly reduced by diseases when the Spanish arrived.

Religion

Roman Catholics are the largest religious group in Havana. The city has important Catholic places, including a cathedral dedicated to Saint Christopher, a minor basilica, and two national shrines. The city has also received visits from three popes: Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis.

Havana once had a large Jewish community, but it has become smaller over time. Today, there are about 1,500 Jews in the city, with a few remaining synagogues.

Economy

Havana has a varied economy, including traditional areas like manufacturing, construction, transportation, and new areas such as biotechnology and tourism.

The city's economy grew because of its location as an important trade center. Sugar and trade once brought wealth to Havana. Even today, Havana remains a key center for Cuba's industry, with facilities for light manufacturing, food processing, and more. It is also Cuba's main port, handling many imports and exports, and supports fishing.

Commerce and finance

After major changes in Cuba, most businesses in Havana are state-controlled. However, there are small private businesses in areas like Old Havana. Banking is also under state control, with the National Bank of Cuba managing the economy. Vedado, a waterfront area, became a main commercial district with many banks, businesses, and the University of Havana.

Tourism

Havana has been a popular tourist spot for many years. Its close distance to the United States made it attractive, especially before strict rules limited travel. Tourism dropped after 1961 but began to grow again in the late 1980s. Today, Havana attracts over a million tourists each year, offering many attractions and services.

Poverty and slums

After facing economic challenges, Havana has areas with less stable housing. Some neighborhoods have older buildings that need repairs, but people there still have access to education, healthcare, and job opportunities. Efforts have been made to improve housing conditions over the years.

Transport

Airports

Havana has a big airport called José Martí International Airport. It is about 11 kilometers south of the city center and is the main place for flights in and out of Cuba. From here, you can travel to many places in the Caribbean, North, Central and South America, Europe, and one place in Africa.

There is also a smaller airport called Playa Baracoa Airport to the west of the city. It mainly handles some domestic flights.

Rail

Havana has many train lines that go to different parts of Cuba. These trains connect Havana with all the provinces of the country. The main train stations in Havana include Central Rail Station, La Coubre Rail Station, Casablanca Station, and Estación de Tulipán.

Interurban

An old train line called the Hershey Electric Railway runs from Casablanca to Hershey and then on to Matanzas.

Tramway

Havana used to have trams, but they stopped running in 1952. These trams started in 1858 and were pulled by horses at first. Later, they were electrified, but people stopped using them, and they were replaced by buses.

Roads

Havana has many roads, including big streets and highways. Some important roads are the Autopista Nacional (A1), Carretera Central, and Via Blanca. These roads help people travel in and out of the city.

Education

Further information: Education in Cuba

In Cuba, the government takes care of all schooling. There are plenty of primary, secondary, and vocational schools, and education is free for everyone. Even higher learning, like college, is free too.

One of the most famous schools is the University of Havana in the Vedado area. It was started in 1728 and is very important in the Western Hemisphere. After the Revolution, the government took control of all schools, and many new universities opened, such as the Higher Learning Polytechnic Institute José Antonio Echeverría, where most Cuban engineers study.

Cuba also has a very big and famous ballet school called the Cuban National Ballet School, with over 4,000 students. It is one of the largest ballet schools in the world.

Landmarks and historical centers

• Habana Vieja: This is the heart of the original city of Havana and was named a special place by the UNESCO World Heritage Site for its importance.
• Plaza Vieja: A square in Old Havana where people once gathered for many kinds of events and celebrations.
• Fortress San Carlos de la Cabaña: A big, strong fortress on the east side of Havana Bay, built a long time ago by the Spanish.
• El Capitolio Nacional: A huge building made in 1929, known for its big dome. Inside is a very large statue, and today it holds important science and history collections.
• El Morro Castle: A fortress built to protect Havana's harbor from pirates.
• Fortress San Salvador de la Punta: A smaller fortress from the 1500s that helped protect the city and still shows old guns and weapons.
• Christ of Havana: A tall marble statue of Christ that stands on a hill and looks over the city, built in 1958.
• The Great Theatre of Havana: A famous opera house where the National Ballet of Cuba performs, also used for big concerts.
• The Malecon/Sea wall: A long avenue beside the sea where people love to walk and watch the sunset.
• Hotel Nacional de Cuba: A grand hotel built in the style of Art Deco, famous in the past for its fun and games.
• Museo de la Revolución: A museum in an old palace that shows important parts of Cuba’s history.
• Necrópolis Cristóbal Colón: A very beautiful and large cemetery filled with amazing graves and sculptures, built in 1876.

Culture

Symbols

The coat of arms of Havana shows three castles that once protected the city. These castles are the Fuerza Castle, the Morro Castle, and the Punta Castle. The key in the coat of arms stands for Havana being an important gateway to the New World. The shield is supported by an oak branch and a laurel wreath, representing strength, honor, and glory. These symbols reflect the history and values of Havana.

Architecture

Havana has many different types of buildings, from old castles from the 1500s to modern high-rise structures. After 1959, many buildings fell into disrepair or were torn down, such as the Plaza del Vapor, which was built in 1835 and removed in 1959. Havana has always been a key point for trade between the New World and the Old World, making it one of the most fortified cities in the Americas.

Old Havana features Spanish architecture with influences from Italian, Greek, and Roman styles. Important buildings include the San Carlos and San Ambrosio Seminary, Havana Cathedral, and the Iglesia del Espíritu Santo church. The Alameda de Paula was the first promenade in Cuba, created in 1776, and later expanded. The church of San Francisco de Paula and its hospital were important landmarks, with the hospital training famous doctors over the years.

Neoclassical architecture came to Havana in the 1840s, influenced by French styles. Notable buildings include the Aldama Palace and the Vedado district, which began in 1859. The Bacardi Building, built in 1930, is a famous example of Art Deco architecture. Modernist buildings such as the Habana Libre Hotel and the FOCSA Building show how Havana grew and changed over time.

Visual arts

The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de La Habana displays Cuban and international art, with over 45,000 pieces in its collection. It is located in two buildings near Paseo del Prado. The museum also works with the Ludwig Foundation of Cuba, which helps protect and share Cuban art.

Performing arts

The Gran Teatro de La Habana, built in 1837, is a famous theater home to the National Ballet of Cuba and hosts the International Ballet Festival of Havana. Famous performers such as Enrico Caruso, Anna Pavlova, and Sarah Bernhardt have appeared there. Alicia Alonso, a well-known ballerina, was born near Havana and is famous for her roles in Giselle and Carmen.

Radio and television

CMQ was a well-known radio and television station in Havana during the 1940s and 1950s. It started as a radio station in 1933 and later expanded to television. By 1954, CMQ had grown into a network of seven stations, making Cuba the second country in the world, after the United States, to have a national television network.

Festivals

The Havana Film Festival, held every December, promotes Latin American filmmakers. It began in 1979 and brings together directors from across Latin America to share their work and celebrate cinema. The festival was founded by the Cuban Institute of the Cinematographic Art and Industry and aims to support and showcase Latin American films.

Health

All people in Cuba can go to the doctor for free. They can visit hospitals, local clinics, or family doctors who help about 170 families each. This means there are many doctors for each person, more than in many places.

However, the health system sometimes lacks supplies, equipment, and medicines. This started when support from the Soviet Union ended in the early 1990s and because of the US embargo. Even with these challenges, Havana had a low rate of babies who did not survive in 2009, lower than many richer countries and the lowest in places that are still developing. The health care for the whole country is mostly managed from Havana, and hospitals there are run by the national government. Citizens are assigned to specific hospitals and clinics for their care.

Sports

Many people in Cuba love to watch and play sports, especially baseball. Havana has a very successful baseball team called Industriales that plays in the Cuban National Series. The team plays its games in a big stadium called the Estadio Latinoamericano. In Havana, people can watch games for free, and they often play impromptu games in their neighborhoods. There are also places near the beaches where people can enjoy water sports, and these spots often have restaurants and dance halls.

Havana has hosted many important sports events. It was the place for the 11th Pan American Games in 1991 and the 1992 IAAF World Cup in Athletics. The city also tried to host the 2008 Summer Olympics and 2012 Summer Olympics, but it wasn’t chosen. Havana has also hosted the Centrobasket basketball tournament three times, in 1969, 1989, and 1999.

Notable people

Main page: Category:People from Havana

Havana has been home to many famous people throughout history. These individuals have made important contributions in various fields such as arts, sports, and politics. The city continues to inspire and support people who achieve great things.

Sister cities

Further information: List of twin towns and sister cities in Cuba § Havana