Matanzas
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| Matanzas | |
Versalles bridge |
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~26 km²
136,718 (2004)
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0 to 50 m
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| Matanzas | |
Matanzas is the capital of the Cuban province of Matanzas. It is famed for its Afro-Cuban folklore.
Matanzas is located on the northern shore of the island of Cuba, on the Bay of Matanzas (Spanish Bahia de Matanzas), 90km east of the capital Havana and 32km west of the resort town of Varadero.
Matanzas is called the city of bridges, of which there are seventeen crossing the three rivers that traverse the city (Rio Yumuri, San Juan, and Canimar) called "La Atenas de Cuba" (the Athens of Cuba).
The city is divided into seven main sections: Versalles, East and West Matanzas, Naranjal, Pueblo Nuevo, La Playa, Peñas Altas, and Patorita.
As of 2004, Matanzas had a population of 136,718 inhabitants.[1]
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[edit] Name origin
The name Matanzas means "massacre" and refers to a putative slaughter at the port of the same name in which 30 Spanish soldiers were crossing one of the rivers to attack an aboriginal camp on the far shore. However, they didn't have any boats, and enlisted the help of some native fishermen. However, once they reached the middle of the river, the fishermen flipped the boats, and due to the Spanish soldiers' heavy metal armour, most of them drowned.[2] Only two women -- one said to be the beautiful María de Estrada -- survived, the result of being "taken" by a Cacique. De Estrada is said to have later escaped the "power of the Cacique" and married Pedro Sánchez Farfán in the city of Trinidad.
[edit] Attractions
- Pharmaceutical Museum - established in 1882
- Provincial History Museum - Museo Histórico Provincial
- Sauto Theatre - Teatro Sauto - hosts theatre plays, opera, ballet, symphonic concerts
- San Carlos Cathedral
- nearby Bellamar caves
- boating on the Canimar River
- Matanzas bridges
- Casino Español
- Matanzas High School (Palm Coast)
[edit] Sons and daughters of Matanzas
- Lyen Wong - Cuban-German fitness athlete was born in Matanzas in 1974
[edit] References
- ^ Matanzas statistics
- ^ Matanzas legend (pdf)
[edit] External links
- Ciudad de Matanzas - City of Matanzas (Spanish page)
- The Cuban Connection presents Matanzas, the Athens of Cuba
- Portal de la Ciencia en Matanzas (Spanish page)
- Radio 26 Matanzas 97.3 FM (Spanish page)
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