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The
eastern province of Santiago is home to some of Cuba's
most rugged terrain. Its most dominant geographical
feature is the Sierra Maestra mountain range which
runs from Niquero near the Gulf of Guacanayabo to east
of Santiago de Cuba past the Gran Piedra National
Park. The country's highest elevation, the Pico Real
del Turquino, forms part of this range.
The area
is noted, among other things, for its sugar production
and is also an important provider of citrus fruits and
tobacco. It is , however, most famed for its history
of rebelliousness, being part of Oriente, an area
known as the cradle of the Revolution.
These days
it has been earmarked as a prime tuorist destination
and, with its beautiful physical setting, it seems
destined to become one of the most popular and visited
areas of Cuba |
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The eastern province of Santiago is home
to some of Cuba's most rugged terrain. Its most dominant
geographical feature is the Sierra Maestra mountain range
which runs from Niquero near the Gulf of Guacanayabo to east
of Santiago de Cuba past the Gran Piedra National Park. The
country's highest elevation, the Pico Real del Turquino,
forms part of this range.
The area is noted, among other things,
for its sugar production and is also an important provider
of citrus fruits and tobacco. It is , however, most famed
for its history of rebelliousness, being part of Oriente, an
area known as the cradle of the Revolution.
These days it has been earmarked as a
prime tuorist destination and, with its beautiful physical
setting, it seems destined to become one of the most popular
and visited areas of Cuba.
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Santiago de Cuba city:
Cuba's second city is hot, hilly and exhausting
but at the same time seductively languid. Built on a sequence of
hills overlooking a large bay with the Sierra Maestra in the
background, it is certainly one of Cuba's most picturesque cities.
Its colourful streets sweep up and down steep hills, making walking
through the city, although pleasant, a little tiring if done in long
stretches.
Yet Santiago has a singular vibrancy, its
predominantly mulatto people, a mix of Spanish, French from Haiti
and huge numbers of African slaves, are persistently friendly.
It has plenty to offer for sightseers, blessed as
it is with a host of interesting museums, buildings and places (Moncada
Barracks, Emilio Bacardi Museum, The Cathedral, Morro Castle, La
Maison, Calle Heredia...)
El Cobre:
Eighteen kilometres west of the city this
sanctuary looms before you like a misplaced Disney prop as you make
the descent into the village itself. This village will not detain
you for too long as, apart from the church, there is nothing of any
interest to see.
When you visit the area you will be approached by
kids trying to sell you 'diamonds' which are in fact pyrites churned
up during the mining operation.
Siboney:
It is a popular place for Cubans and it's a good
place to come to meet people and make friends, The beach itself is
black sand and largely unappealing and the hills around the village
of Siboney were once a stronghold for anti-Batista rebels.
Sigua:
A further 18km east along the coastal road is the
village/beach resort of Sigua, this is largely frequented by Cubans.
You are guaranteed to receive a warm welcome and locals will even
offer to catch you a nice fish for your dinner in return for a
couple of dollars.
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