Calabazar

Last updated
Calabazar
Couroupitaguia.jpg
Havana Map - Calabazar (Boyeros).png
Location of Calabazar (red) within
Boyeros (orange) and Havana
Cuba location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Calabazar
Location of Calabazar in Cuba
Coordinates: 23°01′02.2″N82°22′22.5″W / 23.017278°N 82.372917°W / 23.017278; -82.372917 Coordinates: 23°01′02.2″N82°22′22.5″W / 23.017278°N 82.372917°W / 23.017278; -82.372917
CountryFlag of Cuba.svg  Cuba
Province Coat of arms of La Habana.svg Ciudad de La Habana
Municipal borough Boyeros
Established1776
Elevation
80 m (260 ft)
Population
 (2011)
  Total20,069
Time zone UTC-5 (EST)
Area code(s) +53-7

Calabazar is a ward (consejo popular, "people's council") of the city of Havana, the capital of Cuba, belonging to the municipal borough of Boyeros. In 2011, it had a population of 20,069. [1]

Contents

History

Its history dates back to the time of the aboriginal cultures that settled in this region about 2,500 years ago, when the island's inhabitants settled in this place attracted by the mighty Casiguaguas River, the vegetation, terrestrial and aquatic fauna. The latest research carried out has found Indo-Cuban residues, human skulls and stone artifacts in the open air in the caves of its two river currents in existing caves. [2]

Its nickname is the title of several geographical sites in Cuba, however when Calabazar is named, in Havana a unique and distinctive place of the Boyeros municipality is identified. It rises on the left bank of the Almendares river exactly on the Camino Real del Sur, now Calzada de Bejucal (kilometer twelve). It is a small town, known for the quality of its waters, its pottery industry, and a site where there are immediate antecedents of artistic ceramics in Cuba. [3]

In this historic site the third uprising of the vegueros takes place on February 20, 1723, the first historical event and the last action carried out in the region in front of the tobacco store imposed by the metropolis. [3]

Its name comes from when the Batabanó road was opened, given by the existence of a thick gourd next to the river since that time, then it was applied to the corral here mercedado, the force of custom made it a definitive name for this part of the river and for the primitive sugar mill built in its vicinity. Years later it was called "Aldea del Calabazar" or simply "Calabazar", as it is known today.

The section between this town and La Chorrera de Managua, corresponds to one of the oldest sugar areas in Cuba. The territory remained as an eminently sugarcane zone, producing sugar. The primitive sugar mill "Our Lady of Guadalupe and San Francisco de Paula (El Calabazar) was located on this site in 1682. [4] For this reason, the territory was indistinctly identified as Calabazar or" Vuelta del Ingenio ".

During the 16th and 17th centuries the population of the region was unstable as a result of the migrations typical of the stage. The contradictions between the nascent sugar production and the tobacco fields, together with other factors, forced the cultivators of the aromatic leaf to migrate to the realengas areas or to the virgin lands of Pinar del Rio.

In 1766, one of the few census tables of this registration was made, its lands were occupied by a sugar mill, seven agricultural estates, 60 pastures and work sites, a population of 707 inhabitants, a figure that includes 106 slaves and 40 freedmen. all engaged in agricultural work, charcoal making, and housework. 93 scattered dwellings are listed in the fields without integrating any hamlet. [3]

The “Aldea del Calabazar”, as it was identified in those times, acquired the character of a town around 1820, more clearly around 1825, which began to take off due to the fame of its waters and the number of inhabitants. With the growth experienced, its small hermitage was declared in 1827 auxiliary of the Parish of Santiago de las Vegas.

Pre-republican period

This town was visited during his childhood by the Apostle of the Independence of Cuba José Martí and some members of his family resided, in the pre-republican period Major General Máximo Gómez Báez, Chief of the Liberation Army establishes his dwelling in this town on August 1, 1900 [4]

At the beginning of the 20th century, (1902) the Republic began, in the jurisdictional aspect the continuous territory forming part of the Santiago de las Vegas municipality as an extensive rural neighborhood. As of 1910, its typical spa town appearance began to slowly change and some small industries, workshops, and shops were opened. In 1910, President José Miguel Gómez established his residence at Finca “América”, named after his wife América Arias, a lady remembered by many for her gestures in favor of this town.

On January 6, 1913, the municipal aqueduct "Aqueduct José Alberro" was inaugurated, at the end of 1912, the electric lighting was officially inaugurated, a service established by the Sociedad Anónima "Planta Eléctrica de Batabanó S.A". In the 1920s, - after the period of the intense economic crisis of 1920-1922, the manufacturing sector began to be promoted with the appearance of some small industries

The central park in this town began at the end of 1936, but its official inauguration took place on July 9, 1937, it was called Parque Máximo Gómez, in remembrance of the famous liberating figure who resided in this town. The local Catholic Church also develops its gospel the Baptist Church. On June 1, 1957, the "Martín Morua Delgado Lodge" was founded. In the heat of industrial and urban development, several associations emerged.

After the triumph of the armed insurrection in 1959, the territory became a section of the region called Boyeros. This division remained until 1976 when the new jurisdictional division was approved. On November 29, 1988, the Calabazar Council, a link in local government, was created.

Geography

It is located in the south center of the periphery of the city of Havana, it borders all the neighborhoods of Boyeros, except Santiago de Las Vegas. It is located in the so-called “Cuenca del Almendares”, also known as “Cuenca de Vento” with two fluvial currents, El Rio Almendares and Arroyo Jibaro, today affected by a hydrological crisis. Located at 23 ° 0 '58 "north latitude and 82 ° 22' 24" west longitude.

Weather

The climate is warm, pleasant with an average temperature of 29ºC and a minimum of 19ºC. Relative humidity is approximately 81%.

Economy

The main productions are pottery, ceramics, textiles, cardboard packaging, etc. Currently it presents an unusual economic metamorphosis that characterizes it by the appearance of an economy dominated by small commercial production, technical-administrative activity, research, services and self-employment. In the jurisdiction there are several centers of scientific importance, recreation that provides employment to a significant number of workers.

Health

It has a Polyclinic that was inaugurated on October 6, 1988, until the eighties 34 family doctor's offices were built, a Circle of grandparents and four pharmacies.

Sport

A town with a baseball tradition since the 19th century. In 2007, a modest stadium dedicated to the national pastime was inaugurated, built with communal work and the solidarity of workers and students.

Education

It has 8 primary schools, a primary boarding school, 2 nursery schools, 2 Kindergartens, 3 Urban Basic High Schools, an ESBEC, an Adult Education Center, the Camilo Cienfuegos Military School, a Higher Pedagogical Institute and the Center for National Training of the Subdirectorate of Collective Law Firms.

House of Culture

There are two traditional celebrations: the feast of San Juan Bautista, the patron saint of the town and the celebrations for the founding of the town. It is the site of the Provincial Literary Contest of Poetry "I am love; I am verse" which is convened annually by the Municipal Directorate of Culture of Boyeros and the Community House of Culture. In recent years the prestigious Culinary Festival "A Pumpkin Plate" has been held.

Main sights

The territory of Calabazar includes the Havana Zoo, [5] the National Botanical Garden of Cuba (belonging to the University of Havana), the ExpoCuba and a little portion of the Parque Lenin ("Lenin Park"), part of Arroyo Naranjo but in front of ward's centre. [6]

Transport

Calabazar is crossed, to the north, by the A2 motorway, the Havana's ring road, and counts the homonym exit. It is served by 4 stations (Calabazar, Berenguer, Piscinas and ExpoCuba) of the Havana Suburban Railway, sharing 2 others (Arroyo Naranjo and Parque Lenin) with Arroyo Naranjo. [7] Some km west of it is located the Havana International Airport "José Martí".

See also

Related Research Articles

Havana Capital and largest city of Cuba

Havana is the capital and largest city of Cuba. The heart of the La Habana Province, Havana is the country's main port and commercial center. The city has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of 781.58 km2 (301.77 sq mi) – making it the largest city by area, the most populous city, and the fourth largest metropolitan area in the Caribbean region.

José Martí International Airport Cuban airport serving Havana located in Boyeros

José Martí International Airport, sometimes known by its former name Rancho Boyeros Airport, is an international airport located 20 km (12 mi) southwest of the centre of Havana, Cuba, and is a hub for Cubana de Aviación and Aerogaviota, and former Latin American hub for the Soviet airline Aeroflot. It is Cuba's main international and domestic gateway, and serves several million passengers each year. The airport is operated by Empresa Cubana de Aeropuertos y Servicios Aeronáuticos (ECASA).

La Habana Province Province of Cuba

La Habana Province[la aˈβana](listen), formerly known as Ciudad de La Habana Province, is a province of Cuba that includes the territory of the city of Havana, the Republic's capital. Between 1878 and 2010, the name referred to another province that covered a much larger area, which in 2010 was subdivided into the present-day provinces of Artemisa and Mayabeque.

Antonio Maceo Grajales Cuban independence general (1845–1896)

Lt. General José Antonio de la Caridad Maceo y Grajales was second-in-command of the Cuban Army of Independence.

Holguín City in Cuba

Holguín is a municipality and city in Cuba, and the capital of Province of Holguín. After Havana, Santiago de Cuba, and Camagüey, it is the fourth largest city in Cuba.

Santiago de las Vegas Ward of Havana in Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba

Santiago de las Vegas is a ward of Boyeros, a municipality of Havana, Cuba, located 20 km (12 mi) south of the city center. As of 2012, the population was 32,958. The Cuban government maintains an agricultural experiment station as well as a meteorology center in the city.

Boyeros Municipality of Havana in Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba

Boyeros is one of the 15 municipalities or boroughs in the city of Havana, Cuba. The municipality was created in 1976, and amalgamated the town of Santiago de Las Vegas. It lies on the south-west side of the city and includes José Martí International Airport.

The chronology of the colonial time of Cuba is about the Spanish colonial period in Cuba, and the efforts to obtain independence from the Spanish Empire and includes history from the "discovery" of the island by Christopher Columbus to the Spanish–American War.

Malecón, Havana Broad esplanade, roadway and seawall in Havana, Cuba

The Malecón is a broad esplanade, roadway, and seawall that stretches for 8 km along the coast in Havana, Cuba, from the mouth of Havana Harbor in Old Havana, along the north side of the Centro Habana neighborhood and the Vedado neighborhood, ending at the mouth of the Almendares River. New businesses are appearing on the esplanade due to economic reforms in Cuba that now allow Cubans to own private businesses.

Batabanó, Cuba Municipality in Mayabeque, Cuba

Batabanó is a municipality and town in the Mayabeque Province of Cuba. It was founded in 1688.

Melena del Sur Municipality in Mayabeque, Cuba

Melena del Sur is a town and a municipality located south of the Mayabeque Province, in Cuba. Bordered on the north and northwest by San José de las Lajas, on the east by the municipality of Güines, and west by Batabanó and by the south by the Gulf of Batabanó. In the south shore is located the only beach in the town, Mayabeque Beach. In this beach is the old outlet of the Mayabeque River.

José Omar Torres López was a Cuban artist born in Matanzas, Cuba, in 1953. His main fields were painting, engraving, and drawing. He is Director of the Taller Experimental de Gráfica (TEG), Havana, Cuba.

Wajay Ward of Havana in Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba

Wajay is a ward of the city of Havana, the capital of Cuba, belonging to the municipal borough of Boyeros. In 2011, it had a population of 47,954.

Acueducto de Albear A water supply system of Havana, Cuba

The Acueducto de Albear is the name of a water supply system of the city of Havana, Cuba, built in the 19th century by Francisco de Albear.

The following is a timeline of the history of Havana, Cuba.

Parque Central, Havana Park in the city center of Havana

The Parque Central, Havana is one of the best known and central sites of the city of Havana, Cuba. It is located between Prado, Neptuno, Zulueta and San José streets, and San Rafael Boulevard. Among the buildings surrounding the park are Gran Teatro de La Habana, the Hotel Inglaterra, the Hotel Telégrafo, el Hotel Parque Central, la Manzana de Gómez, the Hotel Plaza and Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes.

Hospital de San Lázaro, Havana Hospital in Havana, Cuba

Hospital de San Lázaro was a hospital in the city of Havana, Cuba. It dates back to the 17th century, when it served as headquarters for some huts built near the Caleta de Juan Guillén, then known as Caleta de San Lázaro, in an area about a mile outside the city walls.

Quinta de los molinos Garden in Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba

The Quinta de Los Molinos is more than two centuries old and a national monument, an oasis in the heart of the city located at the intersection of one of Havana’s heaviest traffic arteries: Infanta, Carlos III, and Boyeros avenues. The Quinta since colonial times has had a complicated history to various events and characters, mainly with General Máximo Gómez.

Juan Delgado González Cuban independence activist (1868–1898)

Juan Evangelista Delgado González was a Cuban colonel who participated during the Cuban War of Independence. He was known for retrieving the bodies of Antonio Maceo Grajales and Panchito Gómez Toro during the Battle of San Pedro where both were killed in the battle.

References

  1. Calabazar is not that big red area, it’s just a small portion of it
  2. Rolando Crespo Díaz and Osvaldo Jiménez Vásquez. Pre-Columbian archeology of the Boyeros municipality. Archeology Magazine No. 6, 2006.
  3. 1 2 3 Eduardo Milian Bernal Calabazar from Havana. The ignored history of a forgotten town (Part I) Alpha Hour. Miami 2018
  4. 1 2 Mercedes García Rodríguez. Databases of sugar mills in the Almendares basin. Institute of History of Cuba.
  5. The Havana Zoo on tripcuba.org
  6. 255992510 Parque Lenin on OpenStreetMap
  7. 2616953752 Calabazar on OpenStreetMap