Plaza de la Revolución

Plaza de la Revolución
Revolution Square
Municipality of Havana

Plaza of the Revolution and the Ministry of the Interior seen from the José Martí memorial

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
Province Ciudad de La Habana
Wards (Consejos Populares) Colón-Nuevo Vedado, El Carmelo, Nuevo Vedado-Puentes Grandes, Plaza, Príncipe, Rampa, Vedado, Vedado-Malecón
Area[1]
 • Total 12 km2 (5 sq mi)
Elevation 30 m (100 ft)
Population (2004)[2]
 • Total 161,631
 • Density 13,469.3/km2 (34,885/sq mi)
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
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 and the José Martí Memorial

The Plaza is 31st largest city square in the world, measuring 72,000 square meters.[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" (Until the Everlasting Victory, Always) and Camilo Cienfuegos (sometimes mistaken for Fidel Castro), 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, Plaza de la Revolución.[5]

Landmarks in Plaza

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Statoids (July 2003). "Municipios of Cuba". Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  2. 1 2 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
  4. ↑ "Directory: World Airlines." Flight International. March 16–22, 2004. 47. "Calle 23, No 64 esq. a PVedado, Havana, Cuba"
  5. ↑ Home. 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."
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