Sagua la Grande

Sagua La Grande, also known as Villa del Undoso, is a city located on the north coast of the province of Villa Clara in central Cuba. It is on the Sagua la Grande River. Founded in 1817, the coastal city grew to be an important port and commerce center at the beginnings of the 20th century. Its economy is based on the sugar, chemical, mechanical and food industries. Cattle raising and fishing are other important economic activies. Since not much has been built in recent decades, most of the architecture of the now decaying buildings are from colonials times. One of the most beautiful buildings in this city, El Casino Español (The Spanish Casino) built in 1908, was the meeting place for the Sociedad Sagúera. One of the most admired people of Sagua La Grande was the doctor Joaquin Albarran, eminent doctor and great contributor to the fields of endoscopy and urology. Sagua La Grande honored him before his death with a monument located in the biggest park of the city. The city's wide streets and little traffic give it a calm atmostphere. Many important Cuban artists came from this town including Wifredo Lam, Alfredo Sosabravo, and many others. It is also the birthplace of Mel Martinez, first Cuban-American to serve in the U.S. Senate. Estimated population 1995: 56.000 inhabitants.