Sagua la Grande

Sagua La Grande on the map of Cuba

Sagua La Grande is a municipality and a city in the central Cuban province of Villa Clara. It lies on the north coast and is drained by the river of the same. The municipality has 53 077 inhabitants, which corresponds to an area of 661 km ², a population density of 55.2 inhabitants per square kilometer ( Census 2012).

The city lies near the Mogotes de Jumagua, a formation of limestone rock. Many cays of the Sabana - Camaguey Archipelago are located on the north coast of the municipios.

Sagua la Grande was founded in 1812 and expanded in 1842 to the municipality. At the beginning of the 20th century, the city and its harbor, Isabela de Sagua grew and became an important trading center. Nowadays, the economy consists mainly of sugar, chemical, mechanical and food industries. Other important economic activities are cattle farming and fishing.

Architecture

The wide streets and low traffic give the city a quiet atmosphere. One of the most beautiful buildings in the city is the Casino Español ( the Spanish Casino ), built in 1908 and a meeting of the Sociedad Sagüera, the company of Sagua was.

In recent years, however, little has been invested in the conservation. Accordingly disintegrate gradually the old colonial building.

Sons and daughters

• Peter Henry Emerson (1856-1936), Photographer
• Joaquín Albarrán (1860-1912), physician
• Jorge Manach (1898-1961), writer and politician
• Edelmira Sampedro - Robato (1906-1994), Countess of Covadonga.
• Enrique González Mántici (1912-1974), composer and conductor
• Wifredo Lam (1902-1982), painter and graphic artist
• Mel Martínez ( born 1946 ), American politician