Santiago de Cuba was one of the first seven villas or townships founded by Diego Velazquez during the initial years of the conquest and colonization of the island of Cuba by Spain. It served as Cuba's capital from 1515 to mid 16th century but the disappearance of gold from the panning areas and the death of all the indian slave laborers led to the economic collapse of the eastern region, which was too far away from the new strategic interest of the Spanish empire. Fleets of galleons had to be built to transport all the gold and silver of the New World back to Spain to fill the depleted coffers of the treasury of the Hapsburg kings.

When the oriental or Easter department was established in 1607, Santiago de Cuba became its administrative center. The city was protected by a defense system centered mainly on the entrance to its beautiful bay.

During the 17th century, Santiago de Cuba gained greater economic independence through its extensive cattle production, its copper mines and its budding sugar industry, which was already exporting to the mainland.

By mid 1741, the patriotic spirit of the people of Santiago de Cuba was so strong that its ill-prepared militia challenged the British army in unequal combat.

Santiago de Cuba also served as the see of the Bishopric and Archbishopric of the isle of Cuba and was the birthplace of the first Cuban bishop.

At the turn of the 18th century, a new wave of immigrants reached Santiago de Cuba's coasts: a large group of French emigres fleeing from the Haitian revolution. These new immigrants further enriched the already complex cultural environment of Santiago de Cuba and started the region on the road to the plantation system based on slave labor.

The French emigres developed coffee, sugar cane and cotton plantations on the lands they acquired in the Sierra Maestra mountains and in the Central Valley.

When the war of Independence was resumed in 1895, Santiago de Cuba became the breeding ground of giants whose courage has become legendary. Cuba's National Hero, José Marti, was killed at Dos Rios, facing the sun, at the very beginning of the necessary war for Cuba's independence.

Shortly before the imminent triumph over Spanish colonialism, the united Stated, with its significant capital investments in the region's mines, sugar mills and railroads, intervened in the war cheating cheating the Cubans of their hard-earned victory. Aware of Santiago de Cuba's strategic value on the shores of the Caribbean, the U.S. troops landed close to this city participated in several bloody battles such as those of El Viso and San Juan Hill, before the armistice signed under the Peace Tree, almost at the city's gates.

The average annual temperature in the province is 26.3C, 71% of percent humidity and the yearly amount of  precipitation.

The higher mountain is "Pico Turquino" with 1974 m above sea leavel, also "Pico Cuba" at 1872 m (Secound place).

A view of Santiago de Cuba bay.

"La Gran Piedra" at 1230 m above sea leavel just at 25 km from Santiago de Cuba city.

El Cobre Church, dedicated to the Virgin of Charity.

One of the old American cars.

"Dolores" park.