Nueva Gerona


Nueva Gerona is a Cuban city, capital of the Isla de la Juventud special municipality and province. As of 2012, its population was 59,049.

History

The city was founded in 1830 by Francisco Dionisio Vives, who was the Spanish governor of Cuba at the time. There is an American graveyard in Nueva Gerona.

Geography

Nueva Gerona is located by the coast, in the north-eastern area of the island, between the hills of Caballos and Casas. It is crossed by the river Río Las Casas, which provides a navigable waterway to the Caribbean Sea.
The city is divided into the repartos of Centro, Abel Santamaría, Sierra Caballo, Nazareno, Saigón, Chacón and José Martí. In the suburban quarter of Chacón is located the Presidio Modelo, a former prison and now a museum.

Transport

Nueva Gerona is linked to La Fe, the 2nd most populated town of the island, with a 15 km-long expressway. The harbour in Río Las Casas estuary provides to link it to Cuban mainland, at the port of Surgidero de Batabanó. Near the suburban quarter José Martí is located the Rafael Cabrera Mustelier Airport.

Sport

Professional baseball and football clubs representing Isla de la Juventud are based in Nueva Gerona. The city houses the Piratas de La Isla de La Juventud baseball club at the Estadio Cristóbal Labra. The club plays in the Cuban National Series, the country's primary domestic professional baseball competition. The city also houses, which plays in the country's top football division, the Campeonato Nacional de Fútbol de Cuba.

Twin towns

Nueva Gerona has the following sister city: