Sierra Maestra

The Sierra Maestra (German: "Main Mountain " ) is a mountain range in eastern Cuba, west of the city of Santiago de Cuba, south of the city of Bayamo and east of Manzanillo, in the south steeply to the Caribbean Sea. The mountain range is located in the modern provinces of Granma and Santiago de Cuba. In it is the highest elevation of Cuba, the Turquino (1974 m above sea level. NN ), within the present-day " National Parks Sierra Maestra ".

History

During the Cuban Revolution, the General Command of the lay at the foot of Pico Turquino " 26th of July Movement " or the rebel army, led by the comandante en jefe ( Commander in Chief ) Fidel Castro. Despite incessant search, betrayal and sustained bombing did not succeed in Batista's army throughout the guerrilla struggle to locate the general command and destroy. The building of the General commands are preserved and can be visited as a protected monument. The starting point is the town of Santo Domingo. From here you can visit in the National Park to walk the building with a small museum. Registration for the National Park is required on site.

The Sierra Maestra was a relatively rough mountains. The individual farmers lived widely scattered. Not least because it was the starting point and retreat of the guerrilla struggle ideally suited. The infrastructure developed - After the triumph of the revolution was here - not least in gratitude for the support of the revolutionaries by the local campesinos ( peasants ). Some of the most remote farms were merged closer to the road, so that even in this area provide appropriate medical and educational facilities could be ensured. The plan Turquino to improve the economic utilization and social care in the rough areas of the Sierra Maestra and Escambray Mountains.

It was also south of the Sierra Maestra tapped by a comparatively good road, so that now a direct link from Santiago de Cuba on the still revolutionary times hard to reach coastal village Uvero by Pilon and Niquero is possible to date the sea steeply sloping passage.

Sierra Maestra National Park

The Sierra Maestra National Park (Spanish Gran Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra ) is located in eastern Cuba in the province of Granma near Santiago de Cuba. The national park is crossed by a lush green mountainous vegetation, is located within its boundaries the highest mountain in Cuba - the Turquino (1974 m). The Riviera del Caribe - In the south of the park on coastline of the Caribbean Sea borders. Covering an area of ​​38,000 hectares, is rich in flora and fauna. Especially different species of orchids have settled in the park.