Havana Cuba city map , tags indicate the important districts:
Old Havana, Central Havana, Havana Vedado and Havana Miramar.
HAVANA - A BRIEF HISTORY
Havana was founded in 1515 by conquistador DIEGO VELAZQUEZ as a trading port and became the capital of the Spanish Colony of Cuba in 1607. In 1762 the British Army conquered Havana and later the island was given back to the Spanish in exchange for Florida.
Several independence wars happened in the 19th century,one inspired by the writer and revolutionary José MARTI.In 1959 Fidel CASTRO led a revolution against dictator Fulgencio BATISTA.
Thanks to the massive support of the former Soviet Union the quality of the life on the island improved dramatically.
Unfortunately the collapse of this super power started a long period of decay and shortages. An increasing flow of tourists, mainly from Europe and Canada, has helped the island to survive.
In the Havana city tour we guide you through the main districts in Havana.
OLD HAVANA ( Havana veija )
This part of the town is one big open air museum with almost at every corner a
colonial building or museum.
To see everything in one day is impossible , that’s why we suggest a few little trips
In the city , each time starting from the Parque central (central park).
Havana centro begins at the western corner of Parque central with el Prado a
splendid boulevard with bronze lions and baroque lamps , at the end of the Prado begins
the Malécon , the famous avenue along the sea.
Behind the Capitolio , you find the cigars factory Partagas and further on the
“ Barrio Chino” the China town of Havana.
This is a district with nice avenues , elegant mansions , galleries, shops , theatres.
With famous places like hotel Nacional , hotel Havana Libre , Cementerio Colon ,
Plaza de la Revolucion and the wide and elegant avenue Avenida de Los Presidentes.
The residential and wealthy part of Havana starting at the west side of the
Rio Alemedares and accessible by two tunnels . The centre of Miramar is the
Avenida 5 . All the embassies , several governmental services , the famous
Tropicana dancers , supermarkets are located in this area.
