Guayos
| Guayos | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
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| Coordinates: 22°02′59″N 79°27′44″W / 22.04972°N 79.46222°W | |
| Country |
 Cuba
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| Province | Sancti Spíritus |
| Municipality | Cabaiguán |
| Named for | Plant with the same name |
| Elevation | 96 m (315 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 15,000 |
| Demonym(s) | Guayense |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| Area code(s) | +53-41-65xxxx |
Guayos is a small town and consejo popular (i.e. "people's council") located in the municipality of Cabaiguán, province of Sancti Spíritus, Cuba.
The name of Guayos was given to the town by travelers that were inspired by trees of the same name which surrounded the town. These trees would serve travelers as a place of rest and relaxation. The town was founded by Captain Miguel Reyes, who fought with the Independence General Antonio Maceo. His daughter Mercedes Reyes was one of the first female to serve as a Major in Cuba.
The Central Road (Carretera Central) and the Railway of Cuba (Ferrocarriles de Cuba) run along the whole island and connect Guayos with all the other provinces and their capitals, including the capital of the country, as well as with other small towns on the island. The bridge Los Elevados (literally The High) was constructed at the same time as the Central Road under Gerardo Machado's plans to connect the whole country. Los Elevados, keeps both, the Central Road and the railway running without interruptions and has become a symbol of the town and of national character.
The town is located in the central region of Cuba, only 13.6 miles (22 km) away from the exact geographic center of the island. Guayos' coordinates are 22° 2' 59" north, 79° 27' 44" west, the town is only 231 m (373 km) away from Havana, the capital of Cuba and only 8 miles (13 km) away from its provincial capital, Sancti Spíritus. Guayos has an altitude of 96 amsl. The people that live in Guayos are called guayenses.
The population in Guayos has been growing since the early 20th century. Today the population surpasses 15,000 inhabitants and is mainly composed by descendants of the Spanish Canary Islands.
As stated in the Cuban Constitution, there are no private schools in the town. School attendance is compulsory until end of basic secondary education (normally at 15) and uniforms are always required. Four primary schools and one basic secondary school cover the educational needs of Guayos. All schools have free lunch for the school staff, including students and teachers. The town has a public library in addition to each school having their own. Guayos also has a house museum, a house of culture, in-charged of managing cultural events in the town and a center for film projections and stage shows.
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Wikipedia