Santiago de Cuba Province

For the province known as Santiago de Cuba from 1878 to 1905, see Oriente Province.

Santiago de Cuba Province is the second most populated province in the island of Cuba. The largest city Santiago de Cuba is the main administrative center. Other large cities include Palma Soriano, Contramaestre, San Luis and Songo-La Maya.

Santiago de Cuba Province
Province of Cuba
Province of Santiago de Cuba
Coat of arms
Coordinates: 20°12′N 75°55′W
Country	Cuba
Capital	Santiago de Cuba
Government
• President	Beatriz Johnson Urrutia
• Vice-President	Manuel Falcón Hernández
Area [1]
• Total	6,277 km2 (2,424 sq mi)
Population  (2022)[1]
• Total	1,037,339
• Density	170/km2 (430/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
Area code	+53-226
HDI (2019)	0.784[2] high · 7th of 16
Website	https://www.santiago.gob.cu/es/

History

Santiago de Cuba province has been the site of many battles, both during the war for independence and the 1959 Cuban Revolution, where much of the guerrilla fighting took place in the forested and mountainous province.

Prior to 1976, Cuba was divided into six historical provinces. One of these was Oriente province, which was, prior to 1905, known as Santiago de Cuba province. The present day province comprises the south-central region of Oriente.

Economy

Welcome sign in the province

The province is rich in material resources such as iron and nickel. The economy, however, relies mostly on agriculture, with large plantations growing bananas, cacao, and coffee dotting the landscape. Industry is growing around the capital, as is tourism. The natural environment of the province attracts tourists from elsewhere in Cuba and from overseas.^{[citation needed]}

Municipalities

Municipality	Population (2004)	Population (2022)	Area (km2)	Location	Remarks
Contramaestre	105,493	104,334	610.3	20.30000°N 76.25056°W / 20.30000; -76.25056 (Contramaestre)
Guamá	35,516	34,296	965	19.97611°N 76.40972°W / 19.97611; -76.40972 (Chivirico)	Chivirico
Mella	33,667	34,031	335.2	20.36944°N 75.91083°W / 20.36944; -75.91083 (Mella)
Palma Soriano	124,585	119,740	845.8	20.21417°N 75.99167°W / 20.21417; -75.99167 (Palma Soriano)
San Luis	88,496	77,519	765	20.18806°N 75.84861°W / 20.18806; -75.84861 (San Luis)
Santiago de Cuba	472,255	507,167	1,023.8	20.04028°N 75.81472°W / 20.04028; -75.81472 (Santiago de Cuba)	Provincial capital
Segundo Frente	40,885	40,196	540	20.41194°N 75.52861°W / 20.41194; -75.52861 (Mayarí Arriba)	Mayarí Arriba
Songo-La Maya	100,287	89,819	721	20.17333°N 75.64611°W / 20.17333; -75.64611 (La Maya)	La Maya
Tercer Frente	30,457	30,237	364	20.17194°N 76.32722°W / 20.17194; -76.32722 (Cruce de los Baños)	Cruce de los Baños

Source: Population from 2004 Census.^[3] Area from 1976 municipal re-distribution.^[4]

Source: Onei 2023. ^[5]

Demographics

In 2004, the province of Santiago De Cuba had a population of 1,043,202.^[3] With a total area of 6,156.44 km² (2,377.01 sq mi),^[6] the province had a population density of 169.4/km² (439/sq mi).

International Relation

Twin Town — Sister City

Santiago de Cuba Province is twinned with:

• Naples, Italy^[7]

See also

• Cuba portal

• Oriente Province