Santiago De Cuba - 495 Years of History and Tradition

When Diego Velazquez, the governor, startedended in the triumph of Fidel and his "barbudos"
conquering and colonizing Cuba, the first seven(bearded men) and in the settlement of the Cuban
villages were founded in Cuba under his mandate.Revolution. As in any other area of the country,
Santiago de Cuba was one of them, founded on Julyraces and cultures are mixed and enriched here in the
25, 1515. Precisely on the corner of Cespedes Park inCultural Capital of the Caribbean, as it's also regarded.
this city is located the stately house of theIt's a city proverbially welcoming and genuinely
conqueror that settled the first Spanish colony inCaribbean. Its population is mainly of mixed race, in a
America. This year the "Land of the Sun" turns 495particular mixture of Spaniards, Africans, Haitians,
years old.Chinese, and French.
Santiago de Cuba is the second most important cityThe "santiaguero" is a citizen who humbly flaunts
in Cuba and it is well known worldwide for theabout belonging to the sole Hero City of the Republic
hospitality always offered by its inhabitants and forof Cuba, a title that acknowledges the extraordinary
its cultural and historical traditions. Around itslegacy of its sons of the liberation wars of the
geographical environment, the main liberatingCubans. Santiago is a city privileged for its historic
revolutions took place; and the main rhythms andevolution. Two important places, declared by
popular Cuban dances emerged from its intricateUNESCO as World Heritage Sites, are located in
corners. Santiago, as well as the rest of easternSantiago de Cuba: the Castillo de San Pedro de la
Cuban enjoys summer weather throughout almostRoca (known as "El Morro"), and the ruins of the first
the whole year, with annual temperatures rangingsettlements of the French coffee plantations in the
from 25 to 30 °C in the plains, and from 16 °C to"Gran Piedra".
25 °C in the mountains. The city has numerousA large number of other things are also the pride and
beaches and nearby scuba diving centers which makejoy of the "santiagueros": being the cradle per
it a paradisiacal destination. The city borders to theexcellence of almost all musical rhythms in Cuba, a
north with Holguin city, to the west with Granmacountry where the music is its soul and roots; the
city, to the east with Guantanamo city, and with the"carnavales" (carnivals) taking place every July are
Caribbean Sea to the south. Its territorial extension isthe most spectacular in the island; its rum; its well
of 6,343.21 km2.known Festival of the Caribbean or the Fire Party,
The Sierra Maestra towers impressively beyond thewhich turns Santiago every year in a city full of
borders of the city. This place was the scene of therhythms and colors; the International Festival of
major battles of the Rebel Army (Ejercito Rebelde)Choirs; and the Son Festival "Miguel Matamoros",
during its liberation war of the 50s last century whichamong others.