Havana (La Habana), Cuba

Havana, Cuba
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:DirkvdM_havana_grey.jpg
Author: Dirk van der Made


Havana (La Habana) is the capital and biggest city in Cuba. It covers 721 sq km (278.4 sq mi) and has a population of 2.15 million people (2011 estimate), making it the second largest city in the Caribbean after Santo Domingo. Havana is in the Eastern Standard Time zone, which is five hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-5) and four hours behind during Daylight Saving Time in summer. The phone area code for Havana is (+53) 7.

Havana is located on the northern coast of Cuba, to the south of the Bay of Havana. From the bay, the city spreads out to the west and south. A ring road, the Primer Arillo de Habana, forms a crescent around the southeastern part of the city, while major highways radiates from central Havana.

View of Havana, Cuba, as seen from its fort
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Havana_from_the_Fort_(3216250272).jpg
Author: tony Hisgett


Havana experiences a tropical climate with fairly constant temperatures throughout the year. Hottest months are July to September, when the temperature regularly reaches 31°C (87.8°F) and often more. The coldest months are January and February, when it drops to 18.6°C (65.5°F). Rain is heaviest in October, which receives 180.5 mm (7.1 in) of precipitation.

On the western shore of the Bay of Havana (Bahia de la Habana) is La Habana Vieja, or Old Havana, today a World Heritage Site. This is the core of the city that was founded by the Spanish in 1519. Today it has numerous buildings in the baroque and neoclassical style, an increasing number of which have been or are being restored, while some are in various stages of ruin.

Che Guevara image on the Ministry of the Interior Building in Havana
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SculptureCheGuevaraCuba.jpg
Author: Mark Scott Johnson


The history of Havana goes back to 1510, when the Spanish arrived and began conquering the island of Cuba. The city was originally founded on the southern coast of Cuba, near present-day Surgidero de Batabanó by Spanish conquistador Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar in around 1514. The choice of site for Havana continued to be shifted between 1514 until 1519, when it was established at the present site.

As a trading port, Havana suffered from repeated attacks by buccaneers and pirates, particularly in the 16th century. To avoid pirate attacks, the Spanish galleons moved across the Atlantic Ocean in a large fleet, protected by an accompanying Armada. These fleets would assemble at Havana Bay between May through August, to start their voyage for Spain in September.

Street in Havana
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Havana_-_Cuba_-_0417.jpg
Author: Jorge Royan


Granted city status in 1592, Havana continued to grow, interrupted by an epidemic in 1649 which shaved a third of its population. By the mid 18th century, the city had over 70,000 inhabitants, and was the third largest city in the Americas behind Lima and Mexico City, but well ahead of Boston and New York City.

Havana was captured by the British in 1762, but was returned to Spain in exchange for Florida in less than a year. On gaining it back, the Spanish fortified havana by building the Fortress of San Carlos de la Cabaña, one of the biggest Spanish forts in the New World. In 1748, the Havana Cathedral was constructed, originally as a Jesuit church.

The end of the American Civil War in 1865 brought an influx of American planters to Havana to establish plantations around the city. By the mid-20th century, Havana has descended into becoming a den for gambling and corruption. It provided the right climate for the 1959 Cuban Revolution, in which the new regime of Fidel Castro promised improvements in social services and public housing, among others.

A street in Havana, Cuba
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Penalver.jpg
Author: Yelles


The new regime's expropriation of private property and industry, as well as the U.S. embargo on the country, had a disastrous effect on Havana. By 1968, all forms of private businesses have been nationalized, and remain so till this day. Those who could left Cuba, to the effect that 15% of Cubans have left the country, despite a ban on free travel.

Today, fifty years after the Communist took power, Havana is a showcase of the double standards practised in Communism. Forced to depend on tourism as an income earner, the city has hotels and stores where foreigners are allowed to patronize, but the locals are not. Similarly, foreign investments are welcome, but locals are barred from participating. As a result, Cubans are forced into menial occupations as cooks, gardeners and taxi drivers.

A visit to Havana provides an eye-opening experience to the mistakes of Communism that have been seen elsewhere in the world.

A vintage Chevrolet in Havana
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Havana_-_Cuba_-_0478.jpg
Author: Jorge Royan

Visiting Havana, Cuba

José Martí International Airport (HAV) is the gateway to Havana. Expect the customs to be strict but slow. To get from the airport to downtown Havana, your option is the taxi. Many of these are old American Chevys, but now there are a few modern vehicles being used, including the Russian Ladas, and occasionally modern Skodas, Peugeots and even Mercedes.

Places of Interest in Havana, Cuba

Sights in Old Havana (Habana Vieja)
Buildings in Havana, Cuba
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Havana_City,_Cuba.jpg
Author: Krestavilis


Sights in Centro Habana and Prado Sights in Vedado and Plaza Sights in the vicinity of Havana

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