STIG ALBECK TRAVEL TO SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA DOWNLOAD FREE TRAVEL GUIDES AT BOOKBOON.COM NO REGISTRATION NEEDED Download free ebooks at BookBooN.com South & Central America © 2008 Stig Albeck & Ventus Publishing ApS Translation: Maria Lundberg All rights and copyright relating to the content of this book are the property of Ventus Publishing ApS, and/or its suppliers. Content from ths book, may not be reproduced in any shape or form without prior written permission from Ventus Publishing ApS. Quoting this book is allowed when clear references are made, in relation to reviews are allowed. ISBN 978-87-7061-399-6 1st edition Pictures and illustrations in this book are reproduced according to agreement with the following copyright owners Stig Albeck, Gorm Albeck, Brian McMorrow, Instituto de Promoción Turística Mexico City, RIOTUR. The stated prices and opening hours are indicative and may have be subject to change after this book was published. Download free ebooks at BookBooN.com South & Central America Kapiteloverskrift ONLIBRI Download free ebooks at BookBooN.com 4 South & Central America A visit to Havana A visit to Havana www.cubatravel.cu With its two million inhabitants, Havana is the The many showy American cars from the 1950’es, largest city of the Caribbean and at the same time when the society was inspired by the United States, one of the most charming and worth seeing cities. drive around as if nothing has changed in the last The happy Cuban national mind is felt everywhere, decades. The houses are more or less preserved and the beautiful frame with the many old and from back then, so the centre of Havana is quite colourful buildings from the Colonial Period as homogenous without a lot of modern buildings well as the abundance of the American cars from among the old, low buildings in Spanish style. the 1950es, make the city unique in the world. Cuba is an attraction like few other places. The If you go to the countryside, the optimistic Cuban history with Fidel Castro’s alteration of the soul follows along, and everywhere you are met Communist Cuba in the tropics only few with smiles, joy, beautiful nature, cosy towns and kilometres from the United States, has been a tropical beaches. source of inspiration for many and an irritation for others. No matter what you think, the Cuban Have a nice trip! people and country offer experiences like no other. Download free ebooks at BookBooN.com 5 South & Central America Historical outline: Havana The intense production on the plantations of the Historical outline: island had increased the number of slaves to about half of the inhabitants of Cuba. This happened in Havana the first half of the 19th century when two rebellions against the Spanish regime took place in 1812 and 1848 – both times the rebellions were Before Christopher Columbus arrived to the put down. During this period in Havana, far away eastern part of Cuba in 1492, several local tribes from the plantations, a lot of fine palaces and had lived on the island for a long period of time. public buildings such as Gran Teatro were built. Baracoa was founded as capital of the new Spanish country, and the island was later an important An increasing number of the inhabitants of Cuba, intermediate station on the way to the colonisation also many Spanish descendants, went along with of the American mainland. the idea of an independent nation, and in 1868 the first war of independence, which Spain won after Havana was founded by the Spanish explorer ten years of battle, began. Diego Velásquez de Cuéllar at the entrance of the natural harbour in the – at that time called – Jose Martí, of whom you find monuments even Carenas Bay in 1519. Since 1515 De Cuéllar had today in Havana and other cities, founded PRC, tried a few other placements of the city, but this The Cuban Revolutionary Party, in 1892. Three failed because of the swampy ground of the places years later the second war of independence began, first chosen. and in 1898 the Spanish regime surrendered. Cuba was formally an independent republic in 1902, and Havana was situated far away from the island’s now under strong influence from the United Spanish administrative centre, and therefore it States, which dominated Havana in the 20th mainly developed because of its favourable century. The most visible result of this is the position on the road for transportation between government building, Capitolio, which is meant to Spain and the American mainland. The city be a copy of the American Congress building in steadily grew up through the 16th century, and in Washington, and reminds of the seat of the 1607 it was made capital of the country. government in every American federal state. Through the 17th and the 18th centuries, the During the Prohibition Period in the United States Spanish Cuba mainly developed through the in the first half of the 20th century, the rich people extraction of raw materials and the growing of for of the dried United States and also quite a few example tobacco and the main crop sugar. criminals went to Cuba, where they could live the wild life and earn a lot of money. Havana was only Spain was involved in the Seven Day War between 150 km from Florida, and this created an Great Britain and France, and the British people enormous activity in the Cuban capital. Luxurious took advantage of their strength and besieged and hotels such as the Nacional, restaurants, clubs and conquered Havana in 1762. The British people cabarets, such as the Tropicana, were built stayed here for eleven months, after which Spain everywhere and welcomed the Americans. This regained control over the city through a trade with was the beginning of the luxurious life of Havana, Florida on stake. which attracted a lot of people with its extravaganza and its agreeable tropical climate. Download free ebooks at BookBooN.com 6 South & Central America Historical outline: Havana The presence of the Americans created an In 1991 the Pan American Games were held in economic growth in the city which hadn’t been Havana, and at that time, the Eastern suburbs seen before, but at the same time, this were extended. At the same time, renovations of development created an increase in the city’s social the historical buildings of the old part of the city, problems for many of the poor sections of the the Habana Vieja, were started. Cuban population, who didn’t get a share of the relatively great prosperity according to South and In 1998 Pope John Paul II came to Cuba, and he Central American standards. celebrated Mass in the cathedral of Havana. The church as well as the square and the streets in Since 1933, Cuba had been governed by Colonel front of the church were filled with people, and Fulgencio Batista, whose regime was abruptly this is also the case at the annual May Day stopped in 1959 when Fidel Castro, after sailing Festivities, which take place at Plaza de la with some of his men from Mexico to the Eastern Revolucíon. Cuba three years before, had begun the battle for a Cuban revolution, which was now a reality. Batista Today the renovation of Havana is well under way. had to escape from Cuba, and Fidel Castro Large parts of the city are looking as beautiful as in became the new ruler. the old days, and the tourist industry is developing rapidly in the capital of the most exciting country In 1961 an invasion of the Bay of Pigs supported in the Caribbean by the Americans was stopped, and the same year Fidel Castro declared himself a Communist. The tropical island state was now part of the sphere of interest of the Soviet Union, and the United States stopped their diplomatic ties to the country. From this year, Cuba politically and economically developed in a different way than the surrounding countries; among other things, heavy investments were made in a health and education system, which became among the best of the region. From 1989 to 1990, the Soviet dominated Eastern bloc changed characteristically because of the change in regimes in a number of countries, which caused an increasing integration with Western Europe. This caused a large recession in Cuba, which opened up for tourism in order to compensate for the annual support from the Soviet Union. Download free ebooks at BookBooN.com 7 South & Central America Tour 1: Havana Plaza Vieja Tour 1: Havana Plaza Vieja means The Old Square, and it was built in the 16th century in order to accommodate 1. Plaza Vieja different events such as bull fighting. Today the houses have been renovated, and they give a moving impression of the old part of Havana, La Habana Vieja. 2. Plaza de San Francisco Plaza de San Francisco At the San Francisco Square, you can see the stately old commodities exchange, Lonja del Comercio, which is now an office building. The church, Iglesio de San Francisco de Asis, which was built in 1608, is also situated here. However, the church underwent a large renovation in 1737. When the Protestants had used the church during the British period from 1762 to 1763, the Catholics no longer wanted to use the church, which has since been used as storage as well as other things. Today it is used as a concert hall. The lion fountain at the square was put up in 1836. Please click the advert Download free ebooks at BookBooN.com 8 South & Central America Tour 1: Havana 3. Plaza de Armas can see the statue of the city’s symbol, La Giraldilla de la Habana.