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| Name |
Havana (La Habana) |
| Population |
2.1 million |
| Other |
Capital of Cuba |
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Havana is the capital of Cuba and the country's administrative, political, cultural and scientific centre, it is also the capital of two provinces: City of Havana and Havana. It is the second largest city in the Caribbean and even though it is roughly only 280 square miles it is home to some 20 percent of the population.
San Cristóbal de La Habana, as it was called, was orginally founded in the southwestern part of the island. It was in 1519 when it moved to its present site, chosen mainly due to its bay, which was a natural port of call for ships sailing to and from the New World.
Despite the peeling of paint and plaster, the architecture of the city has remained largely intact - a wide range of buildings built over the course of nearly five centuries represent styles ranging from the pre-baroque to the baroque, neo-Gothic, neoclassical, eclectic, art nouveau and art-deco, to the modern while 1950s Chevrolets and Buicks wind their way through the streets.
Cabaret venues such as the Tropicana, cinemas, theatres and nightclubs ensure there is more than enough to keep to nocturnal visitor entertained.
See more - visit the photo and video galleries.
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