LA HABANA

provincia, west-central Cuba, bounded on the north by the Straits of Florida and by Ciudad de la Habana provincia; on the south by the Gulf of Bataban, an inlet of the Caribbean Sea; and on the east and west, respectively, by Matanzas and Pinar del Ro provincias. It has an area of 2,213 square miles (5,731 square km) and is densely populated, being near the national and provincial capital city, Havana. The hills of northern and central La Habana province become a gently sloping plain in the south. The northern coast is characterized by terraces, sandy beaches, and the beautiful La Habana Bay; the swampy southern coast is covered with mangrove forests. The province yields considerable quantities of sugarcane, tobacco, fruits, vegetables, and milk for the Havana market. Many industrial plants are located in and around the capital. A thermal-power plant is located at Mariel, a port and a major centre of shrimp trawling southwest of Havana. The province has excellent communications, including a good network of modern highways, railways, and airways. Pop. (1989 est.) 636,889.