# Holguin

> city and capital of Holguín province, Cuba

**Wikidata**: [Q244154](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q244154)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holguín)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/holguin

## Summary

Holguín is a city and municipality in eastern Cuba, serving as the capital of Holguín Province. Founded in 1523, it is one of Cuba's largest cities with a population of 350,191 residents (as of 2014) and covers an area of 655.9 square kilometres. The city is located at coordinates 20.887°N, 76.263°W, sitting at an elevation of 146 metres above sea level in the fertile valley of the Mayarí River.

## Key Facts

- **Official name**: Holguín
- **Type**: City, municipality of Cuba, big city
- **Country**: Cuba
- **Province**: Holguín Province (capital)
- **Founded**: 1523
- **Population**: 350,191 (2014)
- **Area**: 655.9 km²
- **Coordinates**: 20.887222°N, -76.263056°W
- **Elevation**: 146 metres above sea level
- **Official language**: Spanish
- **Timezone**: Eastern Time Zone
- **Postal code**: 80100
- **UN/LOCODE**: CUHOG
- **Licence plate code**: O
- **Local dialing code**: 24
- **Website**: http://www.ciudadholguin.gob.cu/
- **Twitter**: @CiudadNuestraHg
- **Telegram**: @ciudadnuestrahlg

## FAQs

**What is Holguín known for?**

Holguín is known as the "City of Parks" (Ciudad de los Parques) due to its numerous public squares and green spaces. It serves as a major administrative, commercial, and cultural centre in eastern Cuba, famous for its colonial architecture, vibrant music scene, and as the birthplace of notable Cuban musicians.

**What is the history of Holguín?**

Holguín was founded in 1523, making it one of the earliest Spanish settlements in Cuba. The city was originally named San Isidoro de Holguín and grew from a small settlement into one of Cuba's most important regional cities over five centuries of colonial and post-colonial development.

**What are the twin cities of Holguín?**

Holguín is twinned with Yazd (Iran), Saltillo (Mexico), Baiona (Spain), Santa Fe (United States), Monterrey (Mexico), and Pernik (Bulgaria).

**What is the economy of Holguín based on?**

Holguín's economy is diverse, encompassing agriculture (particularly sugarcane, citrus, and cattle), mining (nickel and cobalt), manufacturing, commerce, and tourism. The city serves as a regional hub for eastern Cuba.

**What languages are spoken in Holguín?**

The official and predominant language is Spanish. The city has presence in 90 Wikipedia language editions, reflecting its international recognition.

## Why It Matters

Holguín holds significant importance as the administrative heart of eastern Cuba's most populous province. Its strategic location in the fertile lowlands of the Mayarí River valley has made it a crucial agricultural and commercial centre since colonial times. The city serves as a gateway to some of Cuba's most important tourist destinations, including the beaches of the northern coast and the mountain ranges of the Sierra Maestra.

The city's cultural significance cannot be overstated—it is renowned throughout Cuba for its musical traditions, particularly the "trovía" style of folk music, and its annual carnival celebrations. As a centre of education and healthcare for the region, Holguín provides essential services to hundreds of thousands of Cubans in the eastern provinces.

Economically, Holguín contributes substantially to Cuba's mining industry, with nearby nickel and cobalt operations being among the country's most important. Its agricultural hinterland produces significant quantities of sugarcane, citrus fruits, and livestock, feeding both local populations and export markets.

## Notable For

- Being one of Cuba's oldest cities, founded in 1523
- Known as the "City of Parks" for its numerous public squares
- Birthplace of notable Cuban musicians and cultural figures
- Home to the annual Holguín Carnival, one of Cuba's largest
- Location of significant nickel and cobalt mining operations
- Regional centre for healthcare and education in eastern Cuba
- Twinned with six cities across four continents
- Presence in 90 Wikipedia language editions
- Known for colonial-era architecture and historic churches

## Body

### History and Foundation

Holguín was founded in 1523 by the Spanish conquistador Diego de Velázquez under the name San Isidoro de Holguín. The city emerged from one of the earliest Spanish colonial settlements in Cuba, growing steadily over five centuries through the colonial period, independence movements, and the revolutionary era. The city's founding date makes it one of the oldest continuously inhabited European settlements in the Americas.

### Geography and Location

The city is situated at coordinates 20.887222°N, -76.263056°W in the Holguín Province of eastern Cuba. It lies in the fertile valley of the Mayarí River, approximately 50 kilometres inland from the Caribbean coast. The municipality covers an area of 655.9 square kilometres, making it one of the larger municipalities in Cuba by area. The city sits at an elevation of 146 metres above sea level, providing a relatively mild climate compared to coastal areas. The local timezone is Eastern Time Zone, consistent with other Cuban provinces.

### Demographics and Administration

As of the 2014 census, Holguín had a population of 350,191 residents, making it one of Cuba's most populous cities outside of Havana. The city serves as the municipal seat and capital of Holguín Province, functioning as the primary administrative centre for the region. The current head of government is Q134823212, who assumed office in 2023. The municipality is divided into various neighbourhoods and districts, with the city proper forming the urban core.

### Economy and Industry

Holguín's economy is diversified across multiple sectors. Agriculture remains significant, with sugarcane, citrus fruits, and cattle farming forming the backbone of the rural economy. The surrounding province contains important mineral resources, particularly nickel and cobalt, with mining operations contributing substantially to both local employment and national exports. The city serves as a commercial hub for eastern Cuba, with numerous markets, retail establishments, and service businesses. Tourism also plays a growing role in the local economy, with visitors drawn to the city's cultural attractions, colonial architecture, and proximity to beach resorts on the northern coast.

### Culture and Society

The city is renowned for its vibrant cultural traditions, particularly in music and dance. Holguín is famous throughout Cuba for the "trovía" style of folk music, characterized by improvised lyrical compositions. The annual Holguín Carnival (Carnaval de Holguín) is one of the largest and most celebrated in Cuba, featuring parades, music, and traditional costumes. The city boasts numerous churches, parks, and colonial-era buildings that reflect its Spanish heritage. The local population maintains strong traditions in arts, literature, and folk customs.

### Infrastructure and Communications

Holguín is served by Frank País International Airport (IATA: HOG), providing domestic and limited international flights. The city is connected to Cuba's national highway system via the A1 highway. Local transportation includes public buses, taxis, and bicycle rickshaws. The postal code is 80100, and the local dialing code is 24. Vehicle licence plates bear the code "O". Internet and telecommunications services are provided through the national Cuban telecom system, with the city having a presence on social media platforms including Twitter and Telegram.

### International Connections

Holguín maintains twin city relationships with six municipalities worldwide: Yazd (Iran), Saltillo (Mexico), Baiona (Spain), Santa Fe (United States), Monterrey (Mexico), and Pernik (Bulgaria). These sister city relationships facilitate cultural exchanges, trade, and municipal cooperation. The city has extensive international recognition, with entries in numerous global authority databases including VIAF (138488036), GeoNames (3556966), and Library of Congress authority files (n88247457).

### Media and Digital Presence

The city has an official government website at ciudadholguin.gob.cu and maintains active social media presence through Twitter (@CiudadNuestraHg) and Telegram (@ciudadnuestrahlg). The city has been featured in numerous international encyclopedias and reference works, including the Encyclopædia Britannica, the Great Russian Encyclopedia, and the Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana. The city has dedicated Wikipedia articles in 90 different language editions, reflecting its international significance.

### Landmarks and Architecture

Holguín features several notable landmarks, including the Cathedral of San Isidoro, the city's main Catholic church. The coat of arms of Holguín features traditional heraldic elements representing the city's Spanish colonial heritage. The flag of Holguín Municipality flies over public buildings. The city is known for its numerous parks and public squares, earning it the nickname "City of Parks." Notable viewpoints include the Loma de la Cruz, which offers panoramic views of the city.

### Related Entities

The city is associated with several notable administrative and cultural entities. It is the capital of Holguín Province and the seat of provincial government. The municipality is part of the broader Cuban administrative system. The city has category pages on Wikimedia Commons and dedicated categories on Wikipedia for notable people born in Holguín (Category:People from Holguín) and those who died there (Category:Deaths in Holguín). The topic's main category is Category:Holguín.

## References

1. [Source](https://ciudadholguin.gob.cu/frontend/axisThematics/AxisThematicDashboard?_id=5d811efece16e009b3b27cee&state=structure)
2. GEOnet Names Server. 2018
3. [Source](https://vanguardia.com.mx/coahuila/saltillo/saltillo-tiene-pacto-de-hermanamiento-con-15-ciudades-solo-con-austin-mantiene-contacto1-EVVG3490150)
4. [Source](https://www.monterrey.gob.mx/pdf/portaln/PPOA/Programa_Operativo_Anual_2018_de_la_Secretaria_de_Desarrollo_Economico.pdf)
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. [Source](http://www.ciudadholguin.gob.cu/)
8. MusicBrainz
9. [Source](https://www.citypopulation.de/php/cuba-admin.php)
10. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
11. GeoNames
12. BBC Things
13. [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/places/inaturalist-places.csv.zip)