Havana (Cuba)
| Havana | |||
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| Capital of Cuba | |||
| La Habana | |||
Clockwise from top left: El Capitolio, Museum of the Revolution, view of Malecón, lighthouse at El Morro, Havana Cathedral, Plaza Vieja and the Great Theatre of Havana
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| Nickname(s): City of Columns, Rome of the Caribbean | |||
 Havana
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| Coordinates: 23°08′N 82°23′W / 23.133°N 82.383°WCoordinates: 23°08′N 82°23′W / 23.133°N 82.383°W | |||
| Country |
 Cuba
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| Province | La Habana | ||
| Settled by Europeans | 1515a | ||
| City status | 1592 | ||
| Municipalities | 15 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Mayor-council | ||
| • Mayor | Marta Hernández (PCC) | ||
| Area | |||
| • Capital of Cuba | 728.26 km2 (281.18 sq mi) | ||
| • Land | 2,555.055 km2 (986.512 sq mi) | ||
| • Water | 9,830.521 km2 (3,795.585 sq mi) 19.23% | ||
| • Urban | 987.2546 km2 (381.1811 sq mi) | ||
| • Metro | 852.12 km2 (329.01 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 59 m (194 ft) | ||
| Population (2012) Official Census | |||
| • Capital of Cuba |
 2,106,146 |
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| • Density | 2,892.0/km2 (7,490/sq mi) | ||
| Demonym(s) | Habanero/a | ||
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (UTC-5) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (UTC-4) | ||
| Postal code | 10xxx–19xxx | ||
| Area code(s) | (+53) 07 | ||
| Patron Saints | Saint Christopher | ||
| a Founded on the present site in 1519. | |||
Havana (/həˈvænə/; Spanish: La Habana, [la aˈβana]) is the capital city, largest city, province, major port, and leading commercial center of Cuba. The city has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of 728.26 km2 (281.18 sq mi) – making it the largest city by area, the most populous city, and the fourth largest metropolitan area in the Caribbean region. The city extends mostly westward and southward from the bay, which is entered through a narrow inlet and which divides into three main harbors: Marimelena, Guanabacoa and Atarés. The sluggish Almendares River traverses the city from south to north, entering the Straits of Florida a few miles west of the bay.
The city of Havana was founded by the Spanish in the 16th century and due to its strategic location it served as a springboard for the Spanish conquest of the continent, becoming a stopping point for treasure-laden Spanish galleons returning to Spain. King Philip II of Spain granted Havana the title of City in 1592. Walls as well as forts were built to protect the old city. The sinking of the U.S. battleship Maine in Havana's harbor in 1898 was the immediate cause of the Spanish–American War.
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