Mariel

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Mariel is a town and bay on the north coast of Cuba approximately 40 kilometres west of the city of Havana. The town is situated on the south-east side of the bay.

On the east side of the bay are a port, cement works and a power station. On the west side of the bay is a former submarine base, later designated as a free trade zone. La Boca, Mojica, Henequen, and Quiebra Hacha are little towns within the municipality of Mariel.

The port of Mariel is the nearest port to the United States. In 1980, some 125,000^{[citation needed]} Cubans left Mariel and went to the United States in what is known as the Mariel boatlift. While many reached the USA, thousands^{[citation needed]} died travelling through the ocean. Those involved became known as "Marielitos".

Mariel Hemingway is named after the town.

Coordinates: 22°59′N, 82°45′W