Plaza de la Revolución

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Plaza de la Revolución
Municipality of Havana
Havana, Cuba - panoramio (32).jpg
Location of Plaza de la Revolución in Havana
Location of Plaza de la Revolución in Havana
Coordinates: 23°07′28″N 82°23′10″W / 23.12444°N 82.38611°W / 23.12444; -82.38611Coordinates: 23°07′28″N 82°23′10″W / 23.12444°N 82.38611°W / 23.12444; -82.38611
Country Cuba
ProvinceCoat of arms of La Habana.svg Ciudad de La Habana
Wards (Consejos Populares), , , , , , Vedado,
Area
[1]
 • Total12 km2 (5 sq mi)
Elevation
30 m (100 ft)
Population
 (2004)[2]
 • Total161,631
 • Density13,469.3/km2 (34,885/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
Area code(s)+53-7

Plaza de la Revolución (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈplasa ðe la reβoluˈsjon]), "Revolution Square", is a municipality (or borough) and a square in Havana, Cuba.

The municipality, one of the 15 forming the city, stretches from the square down to the sea at the Malecón and includes the Vedado district.

Square[]

Revolution Square as seen from the José Martí Memorial

The Plaza is the 31st largest city square in the world, measuring 72,000 square metres (780,000 sq ft).[3]

The square is notable as being where many political rallies take place and Fidel Castro and other political figures address Cubans. Fidel Castro addressed more than a million Cubans on many important occasions, such as 1 May and 26 July each year. Pope John Paul II, during his 1998 first visit by a Pope, and Pope Francis in 2015, held large Masses there during papal visits to Cuba.

The square is dominated by the José Martí Memorial(), which features a 109 m (358 ft) tall tower and an 18 m (59 ft) statue. The National Library, many government ministries, and other buildings are located in and around the Plaza. Located behind the memorial is the Palace of the Revolution, the seat of the Cuban government and Communist Party. Opposite the memorial are the offices of the Ministries of the Interior and Communications, whose facades feature matching steel memorials of the two most important deceased heroes of the Cuban Revolution: Che Guevara, with the quotation "Hasta la Victoria Siempre" (Ever Onward to Victory) and Camilo Cienfuegos (sometimes mistaken for Fidel Castro[citation needed]), with the quotation "Vas bien, Fidel" (You're doing fine, Fidel). It is also the site of several cultural institutions.

Construction of the square and the José Martí monument commenced during the Presidency of Fulgencio Batista. The square and the memorial were completed in 1959 (the year Fidel Castro came to power). It was originally called Plaza Cívica (Civic Square). After the Cuban Revolution (1959), it was renamed "Plaza de la Revolución" or "Revolution Square." An elevator allows access the top of the memorial, at 109 m one of the tallest points in the city.

Demographics[]

In 2004, the municipality of Plaza de la Revolución had a population of 161,631.[2] With a total area of 12 km2 (4.6 sq mi),[1] it has a population density of 13,469.3/km2 (34,885/sq mi).

Economy[]

Aero Caribbean has its headquarters in Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución.[4]

Government and infrastructure[]

Instituto de Aeronáutica Civil de Cuba, Cuba's civil aviation authority, has its headquarters in Vedado, a ward of Plaza de la Revolución.[5] The Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces have their headquarters on the square.

Landmarks[]

  • Memorial Jose Marti Monumental statue and lookout, at 109 m it is one of the tallest points in the city.

  • Teatro Nacional de Cuba. (National Theater of Cuba)

  • Revolution Square from above.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Statoids (July 2003). "Municipios of Cuba". Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Atenas.cu (2004). "2004 Population trends, by Province and Municipality" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  3. ^ Referencias de lugares Archived 2007-05-31 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "Directory: World Airlines." Flight International. March 16–22, 2004. 47. "Calle 23, No 64 esq. a PVedado, Havana, Cuba"
  5. ^ Home Archived 2010-11-08 at the Wayback Machine. Instituto de Aeronáutica Civil de Cuba. Retrieved on October 5, 2010. "Dirección: Calle 23 # 64, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba."

External links[]

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