Jardines de la Reina

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Jardines de la Reina
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Jardines de la Reina
Location of Jardines de la Reina in Cuba
Location of Jardines de la Reina in Cuba
Location Flag of Cuba Cuba
Nearest city Santa Cruz del Sur
Coordinates 20°49′00″N 78°55′00″W / 20.816667, -78.916667
Area 2,170 km² (837.8 sq mi)[1]

Jardines de la Reina (English: Gardens of the Queen) is an archipelago in the southern part of Cuba, in the provinces of Camagüey and Ciego de Ávila.

It was named by Christopher Columbus to honour the Queen of Spain. Jardines de la Reina was established as a national park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Jardines de la Reina). With a surfaces of 2,170 km² (837.8 sq mi), it is one of Cuba's largest protected area.[1]

Contents

[edit] Geography

It is located in the Caribbean Sea, between the Gulf of Ana Maria (north-west), Gulf of Guacanayabo (south) and Caballones Channel (west). It extends on a general north-west to south-east direction, paralleling the Cuban coast for 150 km (93 mi) from Cayo Breton to Cayos Mordazo. Cuba's second largest archipelago (smaller only than Jardines del Rey), it is formed by more than 600 cays and islands. Other cays in the archipelago include Caguamas, Cayos Cinco Balas, Cayo de Las Doce Leguas, Cayo Anclitas, Cayo Algodon Grande, Cayos Pingues and Cayo Granada.

[edit] Fishing

The archipelago is a popular destination for diving and fishing. It used to be one of Fidel Castro's favorite fishing spots. Species of fish found here include Cubera snapper, Bonefish, Yellowfin grouper, Black grouper, Goliath grouper as well as Strombus gigas, the large caribbean conch and Whale shark.[1]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c National Council for Cultural Heritage. Jardines de la Reina. Retrieved on 2007-10-08.

Coordinates: 20°49′00″N 78°55′00″W / 20.833333, -78.916667 (Jardines de la Reina)