What is the capital of Cuba?

The capital of Cuba is Havana. It is the country’s largest city, principal port, and political center on the island’s northwestern coast.

Havana was founded by the Spanish in the early 16th century and moved to its present location in 1519. Its deep, well-protected harbor made it a crucial stop for Spanish treasure fleets sailing between the Americas and Europe. That maritime importance helped Havana overtake Santiago de Cuba as the island’s leading city, and it became Cuba’s capital in 1552.

A common mix-up is Santiago de Cuba, which is Cuba’s second-largest city and an important historical center in the east. Havana is also distinct from the province of Havana and from Old Havana, the historic district whose colonial architecture earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 1982.