Yara, Cuba

Yara is a small town and municipality in the Granma Province of Cuba, located halfway between the cities of Bayamo and Manzanillo, in the Gulf of Guacanayabo. Yara means "place" in the Taíno language.[3]

Yara
Monument of Taino chief Hatuey in Yara, depicting the moment he was burnt by Spanish soldiers. Bind to a Tamarind tree planted in 1907.
Yara municipality (red) within
Granma Province (yellow) and Cuba
Coordinates: 20°16′36″N 76°56′49″W
CountryCuba
ProvinceGranma
Established1912
Area
  Total576 km2 (222 sq mi)
Elevation
30 m (100 ft)
Population
 (2004)[2]
  Total59,415
  Density103.2/km2 (267/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
Area code(s)+53-23

History

The Taíno Cacique (chief) Hatuey was burnt at the stake in Yara, on February 2, 1512, after he organized a guerrilla war against the Spaniards. Hatuey is known as "Cuba's First National Hero".[4] This action gave birth to one of Cuban mayor's myths; "La Luz de Yara", The Light of Yara.[5]

On October 10, 1868, the beginning of the Ten Years' War in Cuba occurred and is known as El Grito de Yara (The Cry of Yara) and was the beginning of the First Cuban War of Independence.

Yara was established as a municipality in 1912, when Manzanillo was split up.

Geography

The municipality is divided into the barrios of Yara, Yara Arriba, Veguitas, Buey de Gallego, Coco, Caboa, Cabagán, Calambrosio, Canabacoa, Cayo Redondo, José Martí, Los Cayos, Mateo Romás and Sofía.[6]

Demographics

In 2004, the municipality of Yara had a population of 59,415.[2] With a total area of 576 km2 (222 sq mi),[1] it has a population density of 103.2/km2 (267/sq mi).

Personalities

  • Bartolomé Masó (1830–1907), soldier and politician
  • Tete Puebla (born 1940), Cuban politician
  • Harry Villegas (1940–2019), Cuban revolutionary
  • Huber Matos (1918–2014), Cuban revolutionary military leader, political dissident against Castro's marxist regime, political prisoner, activist and writer

See also

References

  1. Statoids (July 2003). "Municipios of Cuba". Retrieved 2007-10-06.
  2. Atenas.cu (2004). "2004 Population trends, by Province and Municipality" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2007-10-06.
  3. "Taíno Dictionary" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  4. Running Fox, 'The Story of Cacique Hatuey, Cuba's First National Hero', La Voz del Pueblo Taíno (The Voice of the Taíno People) (United Confederation of Taino People, U.S. Regional Chapter, January 1998)
  5. The Light of Yara."Legend of the Light of Yara". Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  6. Guije.com. "Yara" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2007-10-06.

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