Holguín

Holguín is a municipality and city, the capital of the Cuban Province Holguín.

History

It was founded as San Isidoro de Holguín in 1545, and it is named after its founder García de Holguín, a Spanish military officer. Prior to 1976, Holguin was located in the province of Oriente.

Infrastructure

There are several small city parks, most central the Calixto García in the downtown area. Close by one finds the galleries Centro Provincial de Arte and Bayado, a library, the club Casa de la Trova, the Martí cinema, the Theatre Eddy Suñol, the Province Museum La Periquera, a science museum, and a history museum. From the hill Loma de la Cruz, where a large crucifix is installed, which can be ascended by its 465 stairs, one can oversee the whole city.

Holguín has a baseball stadium. The Frank País International Airport (city code HOG) is connected to Havana and several other world destinations.

The municipality is divided into the barrios of Aguarás, Aguas Claras, Alcalá, Arroyo Blanco del Sur, Báguanos, Cabezuelas, Cacocún, Calderón, Camazán, Cauto del Cristo, Corralillo, Cruces de Purnio, Damián, Floro Pérez, Guabasiabo, Guayabal, Guirabo, Haticos del Purial, La Aguada, La Cuaba, La Palma, La Rioja, Las Calabazas, Managuaco, Melones, Norte, Omaja, Purnio, San Agustín, San Andrés, San Francisco, San Juan, San Lorenzo, Santa Rita, Sur, Tacámara, Tasajeras, Uñas, Uñitas, Velasco, Yareyal and Yayal.

The main secondary education institution is the University of Holguín.

Economy

The brewery Cerveceria Bucanero - a joint venture with Labatt of Canada - is based in the city. It makes three brands of beer (Bucanero, Cristal and Mayabe) sold in convertible pesos.

Near Holguin, the Villa El Quinque and the Villa El Cocal are world-renowned centers for addictions treatment, receiving patients from around the world. Argentine soccer star Diego Maradona was treated for his cocaine addiction there.

Demographics

In 2004, the municipality of Holguín had a population of 326,740. With a total area of , it has a population density of .

Notable residents

• Faustino Oramas, Cuban composer and musician.

Sister cities

• Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

External links

• Holguín Web portal

References