Santiago de Cuba

Santiago de Cuba Province is the second most populated province in the island of Cuba. The largest city Santiago de Cuba is the main administrative center. Other large cities include Palma Soriano, Contramaestre, Mayarí Arriba, San Luis and Songo-la Maya.

Economy

The province is rich in material resources such as iron and nickel. The economy, however, relies mostly on agriculture, with large plantations growing bananas, cacao and coffee dotting the landscape. Industry is growing around the capital, as is tourism. The natural beauty of the area is attracting many tourists from both the rest of Cuba and from overseas.

Municipalities

Municipality Population

(2004) Area

(km²) Location Remarks

Contramaestre 101,832 610.3 20.3°N 76.25056°W

Guamá 35,516 965 19.97611°N 76.40972°W Chivirico

Mella 33,667 335.2 20.36944°N 75.91083°W

Palma Soriano 124,585 845.8 20.21417°N 75.99167°W

San Luis 88,496 765 20.18806°N 75.84861°W

Santiago de Cuba 472,255 1,023.8 20.04028°N 75.81472°W Provincial capital

Segundo Frente 40,885 540 20.41194°N 75.52861°W Mayarí Arriba

Songo-La Maya 100,287 721 20.17333°N 75.64611°W La Maya

Tercer Frente 30,457 364 20.17194°N 76.32722°W Cruce de los Baños

Demographics

In 2004, the province of Santiago De Cuba had a population of 1,043,202. With a total area of 6,156.44 km2 (2,377.01 sq mi), the province had a population density of 169.4 /km2 (439 /sq mi).

History

Santiago de Cuba province has been the site of many battles, both during the war for independence and the 1959 Cuban Revolution, where much of the guerrilla fighting took place in the mountainous province.

Prior to 1976, Cuba was divided into six historical provinces. One of these was Oriente province, which was, prior to 1905, known as Santiago de Cuba province. The present day province comprises the south-central region of Oriente.