Camajuaní

Camajuaní
—  Municipality  —
Eclectic architecture in a Camajuani street
Location of Camajuaní in Cuba
Coordinates:
Country  Cuba
Province Villa Clara
Settled 1841
Founded 1864[1]
Incorporated 1871 (Villa)
Area[2]
 • Total 614 km2 (237.1 sq mi)
Elevation 115 m (377 ft)
Population (2004)[3]
 • Total 63,544
 • Density 103.5/km2 (268.1/sq mi)
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
Area code(s) +53-422

Camajuaní is a municipality and city in the Villa Clara Province of Cuba.

Contents

History

In 1819 was decided the construction of a new port in near Caibarién to replace an old one located in Tesisco. From that moment, settlers established in the surroundings creating a new village. In 1832 blueprints for the new town of Caibarien were presented, and finally in 1841 this city was founded. Consequently in 1864 an extension of the railway was planned in order to bring the sugar from the Camajuani valley to Caibarien and a new settlement began near the Train station.[1] This is the starting point and birth of Camajuani village.

January 1, 1871 Camajuani was declared a «villa» and on August 1, 1879 the city hall was established. The first mayor of the villa was Hipólito Escobar Martelo.

Geography

Camajuaní is located in a valley, surrounded by an old range. Predominantly the city lays in a flat terrain. With the same name, the Camajuani river passes near the city, and Sagua la Chica river also passes through the region, playing both an important role in the fertility of the municipality.

Demographics

In 2004, the municipality of Camajuaní had a population of 63,544.[3] With a total area of 614 km2 (237 sq mi),[2] it has a population density of 103.5 /km2 (268 /sq mi).

The municipality is divided into the barrios of Cabecera, Sabana, Salamanca, Santa Clarita and Santa Fe.[1]

Economy

Main economic activity is agricultural in nature, sugarcane and high quality tobacco have been key.

The foundation of the city was a natural consequence of the establishment of train station constructed by "Ferrocarriles Unidos de Caibarién", (United Railways of Caibarien) in 1864, this node connected the valley where the city now is with the port in Caibarien at the North, Santa Clara on the South, Vega Alta and Placetas west and east respectively. The valley soon gain agricultural importance with important productions of Tobacco and Sugar. Most of the biggest sugar mills in the island were located in the Camajuani region, and its productions were exported to the rest of the country and the world using this port located in the near coastal city of Caibarien.

Tourism

Camajuaní along with Remedios, Vueltas, Taguayabón and Caibarien, all located in the same region and just few kilometers from one each other are famous due to the parrandas, a carnival like party with origins date back to the 18th century. Every Parranda has its own difference in every town, but they share some similarities as well; like division of the population in two neighborhoods that compete each year in best decorative flat, plaza works (a structure meant to support a display of lights or fireworks), traditional dance and fireworks display. In the case of Camajuani the city is divided in Chivos (Goats) and Sapos (Toads).

See also

References

Camajuaní, Land of Valley and Sprees [4]

  1. ^ a b c Guije.com. "Camajuaní". http://www.guije.com/pueblo/municipios/vcamajuani/index.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-09.  (Spanish)
  2. ^ a b Statoids (July 2003). "Municipios of Cuba". http://www.statoids.com/ycu.html. Retrieved 2007-10-09. 
  3. ^ a b Atenas.cu (2004). "2004 Population trends, by Province and Municipality". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. http://web.archive.org/web/20070927111826/http://www.atenas.inf.cu/todo/Estadisticas/TABLA+No_3balance.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-09.  (Spanish)
  4. ^ Sitio Web de los Joven Club de Camajuani - Inicio

External links