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Camagüey

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Camagüey
Municipality
Country Cuba
ProvinceCamagüey
Area
[1]
 • Total1,106 km2 (427 sq mi)
Elevation
95 m (312 ft)
Population
 (2004)[2]
 • Total324,921
 • Density293.8/km2 (761/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
Area code+53-322
Historic Centre of Camagüey
UNESCO World Heritage Site
CriteriaCultural: iv, v
Reference1270
Inscription2008 (32nd Session)

Camagüey is a city and municipality in central Cuba and is the nation's fourth largest city. It is the capital of the Camagüey Province. After almost continuous attacks from pirates the original city (founded as Santa María del Puerto del Príncipe around 1515 on the northern coast) was moved inland in 1528. The new city was built with a confusing lay-out of winding alleys that made it easier to defend it from any raiders. There are many blind alleys and forked streets that lead to squares of different sizes. There is only one exit from the city; should pirates ever return and succeed in entering the city, the hope was that the local inhabitants would be able to entrap and kill them.

In July 2008, the old town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Culture

The clay pots in Camagüey

The symbol of the city of Camagüey is the clay pot or tinajón, used to capture rain water to be used later, keeping it fresh. Clay pots are literally everywhere, some as small as a hand, some large enough for two people to stand up in, either as monuments or for real use. Local legend has it that if you drink water from a girl's personal tinajón, you will fall in love with the girl and never leave her.

The main secondary education institutions are the University of Camagüey & the Instituto Pedagógico de Camagüey.

Demographics

The statue of Ignacio Agramonte

In 2004, the municipality of Camagüey had a population of 324,921.[2] With a total area of Template:Km2 to mi2,[1] it has a population density of Template:Pop density km2 to mi2.

Notable residents

Camagüey is the birthplace of Ignacio Agramonte (1841), an important figure of the Ten Years' War against Spain in 1868–1878. Agramonte drafted the first Cuban Constitution in 1869, and later, as a Major General, formed the fearsome Camagüey cavalry corps that had the Spaniards on the run. He died in combat in May 11, 1873; his body was burned in the city because the Spanish feared the rebels would attack the city to recover his body.

The outline of Ignacio Agramonte's horseback statue in the Park that bears his name is a symbol of Camagüey. It was set there in 1911, uncovered by his widow, Amalia Simoni.

The Plaza of the Revolution features a bronze Agramonte standing followed by his troops.

The city is also the birthplace of the Cuban national poet Nicolás Guillén.

Camagüey is also the hometown of volleyball player Mireya Luis, Gertrudis Gomes de Avellanada (poet) Carlos J. Finlay (doctor), Silvestre de Balboa (1563–1649), Salvador Cisneros Betancourt, Marquez de Santa Lucia. Studied in Philadelphia, where became an Engineer; served as Mayor of Camaguey. Organizer of the Masonic Lodge "Tinima", and a signatory of the Guaimaro Constitution of 1869 and Jimaguayu of 1895. The park Casino Campestre is located on land donated by him to the City of Camaguey.

José Olallo Valdés worked there, and was beatified in the city on November 29, 2008.

Infrastructure

Street layout

The old city layout resembles a real maze, with narrow, short streets always turning in a direction or another. After Henry Morgan burned the city in the 17th century, it was designed like a maze so attackers would find it hard to move around inside the city.

Airports

Camagüey has its own international airport, Ignacio Agramonte International Airport. Most tourists going or leaving to the Beach of Santa Lucía do so through the airport.

Education

Máximo Gómez Báez's Statue, traditional photo

Although it is not the only secondary education school in the City, the Pre-Universitario, sometimes referred to as "Vocational School" but formally known as "Instituto Pre-Universitario Vocacional de Ciencias Exactas" (IPVCE)Maximo Gomez Baez es:Instituto Preuniversitario Vocacional de Ciencias Exactas - or, in English, Vocational Pre-University Institute of Exact Sciences Maximo Gomez Baez- is the largest of its kind in the province of Camagüey. The Architect is Reynaldo Togores,PhD., and currently Associate Professor at the University of Cantabria, Spain ( 2010 ).

To be admitted into the IPVCE, students must take an entrance exam after completing the preparation of the Basic Secondary Education (7th to 9th grade). During the following 3 years they receive intensive preparation in order to gain acceptance to College.

The size of the institution qualifies it as a "learning city".

The students, during the three years period (10th to 12th grade), are influenced by bonds of brotherhood and learning that last a lifetime.

This center is homologous to others existing in the rest of the country's provinces. Students certainly form bonds of friendship that endure for a lifetime. However, on the downside, family bonds could be broken and "traditional" moral attitudes suffer as teenagers spend weeks, and even months, away from their family.

In Camagüey City, there are no high schools proper due to government policy. With the exception of schools for athletes ( ESPA, and EIDE ), for artists ( The School of Art ), and the Military School ( also known as "Camilitos", in honor of Camilo Cienfuegos, hero of the Cuban Revolution ) the only other option is the IPVCE or Pre-University School in Sierra de Cubitas ( a mountain site 100 km from the city proper), At this location, students must perform agricultural work such as collecting oranges or potatoes. However, in recent years, the government has created a new policy ( 2009 ) of phasing-out this type of school because it has become unsustainable economically.

The University of Camagüey, the province's post-secondary education institution, is located in the city.

  • Nuestra Señora de la Soledad Church
    Nuestra Señora de la Soledad Church
  • San Francisco Church and Cándido González Stadium
    San Francisco Church and Cándido González Stadium
  • Puerto del Príncipe being sacked in 1668
    Puerto del Príncipe being sacked in 1668
  • "Guarandinga" (horse cart).
    "Guarandinga" (horse cart).
  • Minas,Camaguey province.
    Minas,Camaguey province.
  • Ignacio Agramonte Square
    Ignacio Agramonte Square

References

  1. ^ a b Statoids. "Municipios of Cuba". Retrieved 2007-10-05.
  2. ^ a b Atenas.cu (2004). "2004 Population trends, by Province and Municipality". Retrieved 2007-10-05. [dead link] Template:Es icon
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