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Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth), is
situated about 100km off the south coast of mainland Cuba,
is home to some of Cuba's most important agricultural
farmland and is a key producer of citrus fruits for export.
The standard of living is generally higher, largely due to
the preponderance of well cultivated, arable land which
makes the problem of food shortages less pronounced than on
the mainland.
The island is split into two fairly
distinct topographical sections, north and south, and is
dissected by a large swamp which runs from the southeast
coast to the southwest coast. The north is generally flat
and dry although there are a few marble hills near Nueva
Gerona and the area is heavily farmed for citrus fruits.
The harvesting of the grapefruit in
January is marked by one of the country's biggest and best
festivals.
The beaches in the north are black sand
and generally disappointing, in the south there are some
superb white sand beaches, so if you want a holiday centred
around palmfringed beaches and calm crystal-blue seas then
the south coast of the Isle of Youth is a good a place as
any.
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Nueva Gerona:
It is the capital of the island and the only
thing that constitutes anything remotely resembling a town, It is a
busy and relatively prosperous town and the small but colourful
streets have a provinvial Latin America, rather than distinctly
Cuban, feel about them. Many of the African students who study on
the island are based here and the town has a more cosmopolitan
atmosphere than most other towns and cities outside Havana. Also
they contribute towards the island's citrus fruit industry.
Parque Central on Calle 39 is the place where
many of Nueva Gerona's young congregate. At weekends it is also home
to some excellent live salsa and if you are visiting the city this
is a good place to start, it is also home to the local tourist
information office and to the most of the town's cafes and
restaurants.
Outside Nueva Gerona you can find Model Prison,
El Abra Museum, Beach of Black Sand and Punta del Este Caves....
Cayo Largo:
Although only a relatively small island it is
blessed with an almost continuous stretch of pretty beach, notably
along its south coast, there are six beaches all of which will be
able to satisfy your sun and sand lust: Playa Sirena, Playa Lindaman,
Playa Blanca, Playa los Cocos, Playa Tortuga and Playa Luna.
There is also an abundance of natural wildlife
including iguanas and giant sea turtles. Staying here, however, is
about as much a Cuban experience as lying under a sunbed with a
bottle of rum at your side.
Close by is a small group of islets, the best
known of which is Cayo Iguana. The protected coral reef around the
island makes for good diving, the reef itself stretches for more
than 30km and includes the rare and protected black coral.
Cayeria del Norte:
Made up of five islands- Cayo Coco, Cayo
Guillermo, Cayo Sabinal, Cayo Santa Maria and Cayo Romano- the
Cayeria del Norte is still largery underdeveloped and is an ideal
place for those looking for a peaceful and relaxing beach holiday.
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