The Sierra Maestra is Cuba's largest mountain range, and a symbolic point of reference for the Cuban nation, since the area served as refuge and campground to Cuban rebels dating back to Hatuey (killed in 1511), three wars of independence against Spain in the1800's, and a revolutionary war against Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista.
Sierra Maestra is a mountain range that runs westward across the south of the old Oriente Province from what is now Guantánamo Province to Niquero in southeast Cuba, actually located in the Santiago de Cuba province, also bordering on the Granma province, rising abruptly from the coast. Some view it as a series of connecting ranges (Vela, Santa Catalina, Quemado Grande, Daña Mariana), which joins with others extending to the west. The Sierra Maestra is the highest area of Cuba. It is rich in minerals, especially copper, manganese, chromium, and iron.
A spectacular showcase of flora and fauna, and a great diversity of unusually colorful birdlife, is encountered in Sierra Maestra, including pygmy owls, thumbnail-sized frogs, and an assortment of life forms that exist only in Cuba, such as butterflies with invisible wings. The mountain range features the highest points of the island, with Pico Turquino standing proud at 6,580 feet (1,973 meters).
The surrounding area was the heart of the insurrectionary movement against Spain, and became part of contemporary Cuban lore when the Castro brothers and a handful of others escaped into the lush greenery and fog to organize the revolution.
Many intense battles took place in and around the mountain range during this time, but Castro was able to form the Comandancia de La Plata, which served as permanent headquarters for the war against Batista.
The town of El Cobre, located in a high valley within the mountain range, features a shrine to Cuba's patron saint Our Lady of Charity (La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre).
Not far from the Sierra Maestra is Yara, which also features prominently in Cuban history. It was here that Carlos Manuel de Céspedes gave the historic "Cry of Yara." Also not far is Dos Rios, where Martí fell to his death in 1895, and the U.S. Naval Station at Guantánamo Bay.
Much of the Sierra Maestra remains wild and untamed, and has become a popular hiking ground in recent years.
Cauto River
Cauto River, river flows through Granma and Santiago de Cuba provinces, eastern Cuba. The island’s longest river, it flows for 230 miles (370 km) from its source in the Sierra Maestra westward through alluvial swamps into the Golfo (gulf ) de Guacanayabo. Its tributaries include the Salado, Bayamo, and Contramaestre rivers. Rice, sugarcane, tobacco, and cattle are raised along its course.
It flows from the Sierra Maestra to the west and north-west, and enters the Caribbean Sea north of Manzanillo. The communities of Palma Soriano, Cauto Cristo and Rio Cauto are located along the river. It is one of the two navigable rivers in Cuba. However, it provides only 110 km (70 miles) of transport waterway. Its water is not drinkable.
The Río Sagua la Grande is the second longest river in Cuba and is also not drinkable like the Río Cauto.