Havana City. The capital City of Cuba.
It is the largest city, province, major port and leading commercial center of Cuba.
Has a population of 2.1 Million people. Covers a total area of 781.58km square.
Havana City is the largest city by area, the most populous city, and the fourth largest metropolitan area in the Caribbean region.
The city is the center of the Cuban government, and home to various ministries, headquarters of businesses and over 90 diplomatic offices.
The city attracts over a million tourists annually.
Old Havana was declared UNESCO’s world heritage site in 1982.
8 THINGS TO DO AND NOT TO DO IN HAVANA CITY
- Don’t talk about politics. Cuba is a communist country despite recent reforms. Instead, avoid this topic and engage the locals in more interesting topics that will make them comfortable to contribute.
- Don’t stay in the orange casa particulares but instead stay in the casas that have a blue sign outside where foreigners can stay.
- You cannot take photos of police soldiers and Instead use your camera to capture beautiful scenes near you.
- Don’t be shy. Cubans tend to be loud and animated, especially in Havana. So make sure you put yourself out there to get the most out of your trip.
- Do not get confused by the two currencies which differ hugely in value. Instead, always check your change to make sure you have the right balance.
- Do not visit Havana without doing shopping. They experience a shortage of goods. Instead, make sure you bring everything you need with you.
- Don’t forget to tip. The basic salary of most residents is low and they rely on tips too.
- Don’t blow your nose in public or spit in the street but instead go somewhere private if you need to.
7 MOST INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT HAVANA CITY
- The former Presidential Palace is now the Museum of the Revolution
- Every night at 9 p.m., the traditional cannon blast, or cañonazo, takes place at the fortress, La Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña, attracting daily crowd of 1000 people.
- Standing 39 floors, the Edificio Focsa is the tallest high rise in the capital
- El Capitolio (National Capitol Building ) stands at 92mtrs (300ft) which is considered higher than the one in DC.
- Mural of Che Guevara sculpture has words underneath the picture reads “Hasta la Victoria Siempre” that means “keep striving for Victory”
- Castillo de la Real Fuerza is the oldest military construction in Havana & was originally built to defend against the attack of pirates.
- There are an estimated 60,000 vintage cars in Cuba, including Havana.
History
Climate
Geography
8 MOST POPULAR THINGS IN HAVANA
#1 - OLD HAVANA (HABANA VIEJA)
Old Havana, an UNESCO World Heritage site, overflows the appeal of past times. Rich Neoclassical and Rococo structures fringe cobbled squares and limited lanes, and many have been deliberately reestablished to their previous magnificence.
#2 - THE MALECON
Walking around the Malecón (El Malecon) at dusk is an awesome method to absorb the vibe of this reminiscent city and see a few sights en route. Havana's acclaimed seafront lane runs around seven kilometers from Habana Vieja (Old Havana) to the Vedado and Court zone.
#3 - Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro
Otherwise called El Morro, stands gladly at the passage of the Inlet of Havana in the Parque Historico Militar. El Morro was worked in the late sixteenth century and mid-seventeenth century to make preparations for the steady danger of privateer assaults.
#4 - Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana
Around a 15-minute stroll from El Morro in the Parque Historico Militar, the immense Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana, additionally called the Castillo de San Carlos de la Cabana, sits on La Cabana slope.
#5 - El Capitolio
Explorers to Havana who have visited Washington, D.C. may do a twofold take when they see excellent El Capitolio, initiated in 1929. Ascending from the city horizon, this amazing structure is suggestive of the American Legislative center structure, yet it was the Panthéon in Paris, which supposedly propelled its particular vault.
#6 - Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
Spread across two structures, Havana's Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (National Gallery of Expressive arts) is an unquestionable requirement see for workmanship darlings. The reestablished Palacio del Centro Asturiano, planned during the 1920s by Manuel Bustos, houses Craftsmanship from European Bosses and an assortment of in excess of 600 works of Antiquated Workmanship, from the Egyptian to Roman ages.
#7 - Museo de la Revolución (The Museum of the Revolution)
Housed in a previous presidential castle, the Museo de la Revolución (Historical center of the Transformation) merits seeing regardless of whether just all things considered. The old presidential royal residence was structured by the Belgian modeler Paul Belau and was worked in the early piece of the twentieth century in a lavish variant of Neoclassical engineering.
#8 - Miramar
Leading the west of Havana's memorable downtown area, Miramar has generally been an upscale region. Today, it keeps up this notoriety with the expansion of upper-end inns and cafés. You can voyage the wide, tree-lined roads here and respect the masterful homes, some of which have become consulates and government workplaces after the first proprietors fled during the Unrest.