Province
located in the western region of Cuba. It limits to the north
with the city of Havana and the Strait of Florida, to the
east with the province of Matanzas, to the south with the
Gulf of Batabanó, and to the west with the province
of Pinar del Río.
It has an extension of 5 725,6 sq km (2211 sq mi) and an estimated
population of 677 125 inhabitants (1996). The province ranks
twelfth in extension and eighth in population. The province
is divided into 19 municipalities.
The province is part of the Habana-Matanzas plain and the
heights of Bejucal-Magruga-Coliseo and Habana-Matanzas. Its
relief is undulated and its maximum height is 317 m. Its hydrography
is represented by rivers Canasí, Jibacoa, Jaruco, Santa
Cruz, Artemisa, and Capellanías, as well as the dams
Pedroso, Canasí, and Jaruco.
This province has a great development in agriculture, especially
sugarcane growing and crops like grains and vegetables. Bovine
and porcine cattle, as well as aviculture are exploited.
Industries like that for sugar production, food processing,
fishing, and production of beverages play an important role
in national economy.
