22°10N 80°27W, pop (2000e) 132 600. Port and capital of Cienfuegos province, WC Cuba; on S coast, 337 km/209 mi SE of Havana; founded, 1819; important industrial centre; tobacco, citrus, cattle products; naval base; large botanical garden, Castillo de Jagua museum (173845).
Cienfuegos is a city on the southern coast of Cuba, capital of the province of Cienfuegos.
Geography
Near the entrance to the Bahia de Cienfuegos (bahia meaning "bay") is Castillo de Jagua (full name Castillo de Nuestra Señora de los Angeles de Jagua), a fortress erected in the 1745 for protection against Caribbean pirates.
History
The area was called Cacicazgo de Jagua when the Spanish arrived here, and was settled by indigenous people.
Hurricane Dennis 2005
In 2005, Hurricane Dennis made its second landfall near Cienfuegos at about 1:00PM AST (17:00 UTC) with winds of 232km/h (144 MPH), and gusts reaching 285km/h (177 MPH).
Attractions
Castillo de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles de Jagua - fortress Arco de Triunfo - the only Arco de Triunfo in Cuba Cathedral de la Purisma Conception - cathedral with stained glass work, built 1833-1869. Delfinario - dolphins and sea lions in a slatwater lagoon Jardín Botánico Soledad de Cienfuegos - 97 hectares of botanic garden Museo Provincial - furniture and porcelain museum Palacio de Valle - built 1913-1917 in neo-gothic style Palmira Yorubá Pantheon - museum of religious afro-catholoc syncretism Parque José Martí - park in Plaza de ArmasPhoto gallery
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The 'Palacio Azul', a state hotel towards the south (rooms from 25 euro upwards) |
A yacht club next to the state hotel |
Street in Cienfuegos |
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