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Speleological adventure in Cuba
Speleologists say that the passion they feel for this activity is the transit towards an underwater world, which is unknown and full of interrogatives. These great adventures can be easily carried out in Cuba for the comfortable caves, deep caverns, cavities, and labyrinthine systems that run along the Island. The high percentage of carbonated rocks has developed all types of carsic processes, that is why Cuba has been gifted with fantastic cave systems.
The most abundant caves are those with a horizontal development with huge galleries and halls full of secondary formations. The underground deep caverns produced by the dissolution of their materials are very deep, and some caverns are flooded with water, what makes them ideal for speleo scuba-diving.
The tour through galleries and narrow cavities may lead to places where the presence of the symbolic art of the Cuban Indians has been represented, constituting an investigation field for archaeologists, anthropologists and paleontologists.
The animals of the underground spaces have adapted themselves to this dark world, that is why it is possible to find arthropods, bats, blind fish, amphibian, reptiles and other animals that have been able to survive in this environment.
The most renown caves in Cuba, for their beauty and attraction, are:
Cueva del Indio in Viñales Valley; the Great Cave of Santo Tomás in the Serranía de Quemados, considered the largest system of caves and underground rivers in Latin America; Bellamar Caves in Matanzas, where the oldest drawings supposed to have been made by the aborigines of the area have been found; San Ambrosio Caves in Varadero, with ancient pictogram that reflect figures of the Spanish conquerors; Martín Infierno Cave in Trinidad, where the largest stalagmite of Cuba is found; Punta del Este Cave in the Isle of Youth, possibly the most important archaeological station in Cuba due to the great number of aborigine pictographies with red and black colors, which meaning and origin constitute a great mystery in the field of the re-Columbian manifestations in the Antilles.
All those who love this activity surely will find in the caves of Cuba a fascinating world full of uncountable threats and discoveries, of beauty and histories to be dilucidated.
The top of Cuba
The eastern region of Cuba holds a very important mountain range where the highest elevation of the country is found: El Pico Turquino. This mountain is 1960 meters above sea level and is made up of three peaks: Pico Cuba, Pico Suecia, and the tallest of the three, Pico Real del Turquino. These places are extremely beautiful and still keep their original characteristics. As we climb, the slopes become more abrupt, and the vegetation becomes thicker, mainly populated by arborescent ferns (Cyathea arborea, C. serra, Alsophila aspera, A. nitens, Hemitelia horrida, H. calolepis), covered by a layer of moss (Funaria hygrometrica, Selaginella emmeliana). When you reach the top of Pico Real you are able to walk among the clouds and feel tiny drops of water on you face.
The southern slope of Pico Cuba resembles a series of slanted breaks, a great attraction for visitors, especially for those who study orography. The top is 1810 meters above sea level.
The northern slope of Pico Turquino is called the Paraíso de Bucher (Bucher´s Paradise) for the richness and abundance of endemic flora species, like some ferns and palm trees.
These impressive mountain ranges, crowned by white clouds, surely will take climbers into a real earthly paradise.
Horseback riding, a different option
Horseback riding is another interesting and amusing activity visitors may enjoy their own way. This may be an excellent way of getting to know the country in a different way and typically Cuban, similar to the way farmers of the rural areas of Cuba live.
Horseback riders will be able to visit unforgettable natural places, such as, Viñales Valley – considered National Monument for its natural beauties -, Ancón Valley, the Hoyo del Ruiseñor, and climb up elevations as Loma del Mogote, the Pan de Azúcar, the Sierra Derrumbada, the Sitio del Infierno, and Topes de Collantes, among other interesting destinations all along the Island.
This activity may be combined with lunch at a farm, or picnics, camping at the riverside, lodging at rustic installations, trekking, traditional parties, and visits to historical centers of the area, that are also attractive to riders.
La Bayamesa's Patriotic Notes
In 1868 when the Ten Years War erupted and the Spaniards took
the city of Bayamo in eastern Cuba, these lyrics and notes were
put together to form what would later become the national
anthem.
In 1867 General Maceo and some patriots had visited Pedro
(Perucho) Figueredo at his home, asking him to compose a hymn
for the emancipatory revolution. Perucho composed the music
and on May 8, 1868, the march was given to the maestro of the
Manuel Munoz orchestra. On October 20th, the village gathered
in the town square and the composer sang La Bayamesa for the
first time. Nevertheless, it was not until 1940 that voters
approved the first two verses, as many Mambi fighters with
Spanish blood (those struggling for independence) were offended
by the rest of the lyrics. Over the years some words have
changed a little, but essentially, here it is:
Al combate corred, bayameses /Que la patria os contempla
orgullosa /No temais una muerte gloriosa/ Que morir por la
patria es vivir
En cadenas vivir es vivir / en afrenta y oprobio sumidos/
Del clarin escuchad el sonido/ A las armas valientes corred.
Rush onward to combat, Cubans / that our land may with pride
look upon you / Do not fear a glorious death / for to die
for one's country is to live.
Life in chains is naught else but death / in shame and insult /
Now the bugle, hear the call / the brave shall run to arms.
Preserving Biodiversity
To further conservation and the sustainable use of Cuba's
biologically diverse nature, a system of national protected
areas has been established. Until present there are 236
protected areas covering about 22% of the nation's surface.
According to the Ministry of Science, Technology and
Environment, there are 79 maximum protection areas (including
six Biosphere Reserves) in Sierra del Rosario, Cienaga de
Zapata, Baconao, Cuchillas del Toa, Vinnales and Granma. There
are also 14 natural parks, 25 ecological reserves, 7 natural
reserves, 8 animal refuges, and 7 special sustainable
development regions, including the Sierra Maestras, Canarreos
and Sabana-Camaguey archipelagos, and Guaniguanico and
Guamuhaya mountain ranges.
One of the most important animal species in Cuba is the
Tocororo (Priotelus Tenmurus spp.), considered the national
bird because its coloring matches our flag. There are other
endangered species like the Manatee, (Trichechus Manatus spp.)
and Cuban alligator gar (Atractosteus Tristoechus spp.).
Natural areas keep growing and there are procedures
established for proposals of new zones.
Diver Breaks Record
Diver Deborah Andollo just broke the women's and men's world
record for deep free dives, in just 2 minutes 36 seconds
plummeting to 74 m. at Cuba's Isle of Youth.
This kind of dive entails going down by one's own forces with
the ascent guided by a rope. Wetsuits and masks are allowed.
Since 1992 Andollo has established 14 of the world's records
and this new one, approved by international judges, broke
the U.S. Tanya Streeter's 70 m. and French Pierre Frolla's
73 m.
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