PINAR DEL RIO

The northern Cuban province, Pinar Del Rio, also called “the Garden Province of Cuba”, is located in between Gulf of Mexico on the north and Caribbean Sea on the south. It is 10 931,5 square km (4221 square miles) in size, has a population of around 718,000. The capital of the province founded in 1699 is named the same, Pinar Del Rio, which means ‘pine of a river' and it mainly refers to the tall pines around river banks throughout the Pinar Del Rio province that keep flourishing higher. The city itself, similar to Havana , has a lot of old traditional looking buildings that are highly decorated. The city is linked by rail and highway to the Cuba 's capital, Havana . The Pinar Del Rio city is the main center of road network for whole country. On the outskirts of Pinar Del Rio city, modern buildings mix well with gentle colored low houses built way before.

The whole province of Pinar Del Rio is famous in Cuba for tobacco production (70%) where the prime soil and conditions couldn't be better for tobacco leaves to grow. Even though the tobacco production fell significantly when sugar cane became Cuba 's primary source of income, the Pinar Del Rio still produces the finest Cuban cigars using tobacco leaves from the province's soil. The most famous and most expensive cigar brands so much priced and appreciated in world come from flat lands San Juan y Martinez. Other agricultural products are of limited importance; mines at Matahambre yield copper.

One of three main mountain ranges, the Cordillera de Guaniguanico, is in Pinar Del Rio province with steep sides and hills and flat fertile valleys. To the north the largely forested mountains descend almost to the sea. Southern part of province is more flat. However, throughout the province cycling seem to be favorite sport simply because of stunning views of blue-green peaks, misty valleys and lowlands stretching to the sea. The most famous picturesque valley of Viñales , also a national monument, is a top tourist spot in the province and has many caves and underground rivers.

Pinar Del Rio

Another beautiful area of Pinar Del Rio province is Soroa with lots of hiking trails. The mixed woodlands around Soroa are excellent for birds and wildflowers. The main provinces' river is the Cuyaguateje. It is the only place with two Reserves of the Biosphere within provincial limits, Sierra del Rosario and the Peninsula of Guanahacabibes .

The province also has 14 different municipalities and is also known by the University of Pinar Del Rio and well-respected nurses' academy.

Pinar Del Rio is not a top tourist location but it has some great hotels to facilitate tourist's enjoyment of nature. Levisa Cay region of Pinar Del Rio has a delightful, sunny beach, and the province also offers excellent opportunities for scuba diving, hunting and fishing. When visiting Pinar Del Rio of Cuba be sure not to miss Guayabita del Pinar Distillery, where the drink of the same name is still made by hand, following an age-old recipe. Of course, don't miss out on trying those best Cuban cigars produced right here, in Pinar Del Rio.

Photo of Pinar Del Rio beach:

PINAR DEL RIO
HAVANA
ISLA DE LA JUVENTUD
MATANZAS
CIENFUEGOS
VILLA CLARA
SANCTI SPIRITUS
CIEGO DE AVILA
CAMAGUEY
LAS TUNAS
GRANMA
HOLGUIN
SANTIAGO DE CUBA
GUANTANAMO

Peopel standing in Pinar Del Rio province of Cuba: