Península de Guanahacabibes: National Park and Biosphere Reserve (Cuba)

Península de Guanahacabibes: National Park and Biosphere Reserve (Cuba)

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Guanahacabibes Peninsula is located at the westernmost point on the island of Cuba. The peninsula is sparsely populated. The waters surrounding the peninsula are spiny lobster and red snapper fishing grounds. It is both a National Park and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Guanahacabibes Peninsula

Guanahacabibes Peninsula (Península de Guanahacabibes) is situated in Pinar del Río Province, in the municipality of Sandino, whose western extremity, Cabo San Antonio, is the westernmost point of Cuba. The peninsula is sparsely populated.

The waters surrounding the peninsula are important spiny lobster and red snapper fishing grounds. It is both a National Park and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Cabo San Antonio contains a lighthouse, cave system and beach. In addition, there is a trail that leads to a cenote (natural sinkhole) and another to the Cuevas Las Perlas.

The peninsula is best known for María la Gorda, a secluded white-sand beach that borders some of the best diving in Cuba.

The peninsula was one of the last refuges of aboriginals fleeing from the Spanish conquistadors and also holds some 140 archaeological sites linked to the life of aborigines, who were known as Guanahatabeyes.

Guanahacabibes National Park and Biosphere Reserve

Guanahacabibes National Park and Biosphere Reserve is one of the country's largest natural reserves and is separated from the rest of the island by white-sand plains, where one of Cuba's largest lakeside areas lies.

Nature tourism is a significant attraction in the 39,826 ha (98,412 acres) National Park. A relatively small area holds some 100 lakes and the largest and purest fields of silica sand, which is 99.8% pure.

The area is inhabited by 172 species of birds belonging to 42 families, 11 of which are endemic and 84 are migratory. Experts also believe that four of the seven species of marine turtles living on the planet have survived in the Guanahacabibes Peninsula.

Significant habitats include semi-deciduous forests with Byrsonima roigii, Callicarpa roigii, Eugenia roigii; evergreen forests; mangrove; marshland; coastal scrublands; rocky habitats; dunes; coral reefs; marine habitats; agroecosystems with tobacco and fruits; and pasture land.

The coastline also contains preserved coral reefs, with the northern coast lined by the cays and isles of the western Colorados Archipelago.