GUANABACOA

city, Ciudad de la Habana provincia, west-central Cuba. Nestled among hills outside Havana, it is essentially a residential suburb, although a number of industries have been established there. Guanabacoa was founded by the Spanish at the site of an old Indian village; its medicinal springs made it a summer resort for affluent families during the colonial period. It retains a colonial atmosphere, with the parish church, San Francisco and Santo Domingo monasteries, and several old mansions still standing. The city is linked to Havana, 3 miles (5 km) to the west, by highway, railway, and ferry. Pop. (1986 est.) 94,700.