GUANTNAMO

province, southeastern Cuba, bounded on the northeast by the Atlantic Ocean, on the southeast by the Windward Passage, on the west by Santiago de Cuba province, and on the northwest by Holgun province. Part of former Oriente province until 1976, its area of 2,459 sq mi (6,369 sq km) is mostly mountainous, including the Sierra de Purial and the Cuchillas de Toa. The northern slopes are covered with tropical rain forest, whereas the southern coast on the leeward side of the mountains is arid. The Sierra Maestra at the western boundary of the province terminates in the fertile basin of Baha (bay) de Guantnamo, representing the continuation of the Central Valley to the east, the site of a U.S. naval base. Coffee, cacao, and bananas are grown on the mountain slopes around Guantnamo (q.v.) city, the provincial capital, and the port of Baracoa. Sugarcane, corn (maize), cassava, and coconuts are also raised, mainly in the Toa River Valley and the Guantnamo basin. Baracoa, the most isolated urban centre on the island, is important for the nickel, cobalt, and chromium deposits in the vicinity; a chromite-processing plant is located at Cayogun. Guantnamo city, known as the coffee capital of Cuba, is connected by highway and railroad to Santiago de Cuba and other urban centres. Pop. (1983 est.) 469,685. city, capital of Guantnamo province, eastern Cuba, lying in the mountains, 21 mi (34 km) north of strategic Guantnamo Bay. Founded in 1819, the settlement was called Santa Catalina del Saltadero del Guaso until 1843. French refugees from Haiti aided in the colonization of the area, and many cultural characteristics, such as the architecture, show their influence. Catalans were also among the early settlers. Guantnamo is the centre of an agricultural region producing mainly sugarcane and coffee. The city's chief industrial activities are coffee roasting, sugar milling, and the processing of chocolate, liqueurs, and salt. Railroads and highways link it with Santiago de Cuba and with Caimanera, a port on Guantnamo Bay. Because of the difficulty of land communications in the mountainous region, air traffic in Guantnamo is heavy. Pop. (1981 prelim.) 178,129.