Guaniguanico


Guaniguanico, also known as Cordillera de Guaniguanico, is a mountain range of western Cuba that spans from the centre-west of Pinar del Río Province to the western area of Artemisa Province. It is formed by the subranges of Sierra del Rosario and Sierra de los Órganos.

Etymology

Granberry and Vescelius suggest a Guanahatabey etymology for the name Guaniguanico, comparing it with wani-wani-ku 'hidden moon, moon-set' in the purportedly related Warao language of the Orinoco Delta.

Geography

The cordillera spans for a length of circa 160 km, from the town Guane, in the west of Pinar del Río Province, to the Alturas de Mariel, near Mariel, Artemisa Province. The two subranges composing it, Sierra de los Órganos and Sierra del Rosario, are divided in the middle by the San Diego River. The highest peak is the Pan de Guajaibón, located between the municipalities of Bahía Honda and La Palma. It represents a symbol of western Cuba.

Landmarks

The Guaniguanico includes the Viñales Valley, a natural reserve and World Heritage Site; and other landmarks as the waterfalls of Salto de Soroa, the nature reserve of Las Terrazas, and the protected area of Mil Cumbres.