Trinidad, Cuba
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| Trinidad | |
_05.jpg/250px-Trinidad_(Kuba)_05.jpg) |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country |  Cuba |
| Province | Sancti Spíritus |
| Founded | December 23, 1514[1] |
| Area [2] | |
| - Total | 1,155 km² (445.9 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 80 m (262 ft) |
| Population (2004)[3] | |
| - Total | 73,466 |
| - Density | 63.6/km² (164.7/sq mi) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| Area code(s) | +53-41 |
Trinidad is a town in the province of Sancti Spíritus, central Cuba. Together with the nearby Valle de los Ingenios, it has been one of UNESCOs World Heritage sites since 1988.
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[edit] History
Trinidad was founded on December 23, 1514[1] by Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar under the name Villa De la Santísima Trinidad. Its one of the best preserved cities in the Caribbean from the time when the sugar trade was the main industry in the region.
[edit] Economy
Nowadays, Trinidad's main industry is tobacco processing. The older parts of town are well preserved as the Cuban tourism industry sees benefit from tour groups. In contrast, some parts of town outside the non-tourist areas are very run down and in disrepair, especially in the centre.
Outside the city lies the Ancón peninsula with a long sandy beach (Playa Ancón) and several resort hotels. Ancón was one of the first new resorts to be developed in Cuba following the 1959 revolution. Along the Ancon Peninsula are three hotels :
- Hotel Costa Sur - South Coast Hotel
- Hotel Ancon
- Brisas Trinidad del Mar - The newest opened in 2002
[edit] Facts about Trinidad
Tourism officials like to say Trinidad is a museum in itself and rightly so. Those visiting the 500-year-old city will find Spanish colonial architecture, underscoring a colonial ambiance that marks the tiny city as one of the country’s greatest attractions. Only a few square blocks in size, historic Trinidad is famous for its lovely, cobblestone streets, pastelcoloured houses with elaborate wrought-iron grills, as well as majestic palaces and plazas. The city can be toured in a few hours, by foot or by horse-drawn carriage, but visitors, charmed by the laid-back atmosphere often stay longer – no doubt, in part, because of the city’s ideal location near both the El Escambray mountains and the coast, which combine to give the city a perfect setting that combines history, architecture, adventure opportunities and the beach. One of the area’s most interesting sights is the Valley of the Sugar Mills, which has been declared a World Heritage Site. The valley has around 70 long-standing sugar mills that are a reminder of the importance of sugar to the Cuban economy over the centuries. Twenty km from the city is Topes de Collantes, one of Cuba’s premier ecotourism centres. And those who travel to Cuba for sun and sea will appreciate Casilda Bay, known for clear water that attracts snorkellers and divers. A nearby islet has pristine beaches. Ancon Beach is a beautiful white sand beach that boasts a number of three- and fourstar hotels, with the newest one being the Brisas Trinidad del Mar.
[edit] Demographics
In 2004, the municipality of Trinidad had a population of 73,466.[3] With a total area of 1,155 km² (445.9 sq mi),[2] it has a population density of 63.6/km² (164.7/sq mi).
The municipality is divided into the barrios of Primero, Segundo, Tercero, Aguacate, Cabagán, Caracusey, Casilda, Guaniquical, Río de Ay, San Francisco, San Pedro and Táyaba.[1]
[edit] Attractions
- Plaza Mayor
- Municipal History Museum
- Santísima Trinidad Cathedral
- Playa Ancon
_03.jpg/120px-Trinidad_(Kuba)_03.jpg) Trinidad |
_02.jpg/120px-Trinidad_(Kuba)_02.jpg) Overview of the city |
 Street in Trinidad |
 Trinidad just before a storm |
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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