Bay of Cárdenas facts for kids
The Bay of Cárdenas (called Bahía de Cárdenas in Spanish) is a large, shallow bay on the northern coast of Cuba. It is located in the Matanzas Province, which is one of Cuba's provinces.
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About the Bay of Cárdenas
The Bay of Cárdenas is found along the Cuban coast. It faces an area of water called the Nicholas Channel. To its north, the bay is bordered by the Hicacos Peninsula.
To the northeast, you can see small islands called cays. These cays are part of the Sabana-Camaguey Archipelago. Some of these islands include Cayo Cruz del Padre, Cayo Galindo, and Cayo Cinco Leguas.
Bay Features and Size
On the southeast side, the bay meets coastal wetlands and mangrove forests near the town of Martí. The Bay of Santa Clara is also nearby. The city and port of Cárdenas are located on the bay's southeastern shore.
The Bay of Cárdenas is quite large, covering more than 250 square kilometers (about 96 square miles). An artificial channel, known as the Kawama Channel, connects the bay to the Straits of Florida. This channel is located south of the popular town of Varadero.
Activities in the Bay
Besides the busy industrial port in Cárdenas, there are other places where boats can dock, called marinas. These marinas are found at Siguapa and Júcaro. The bay's waters are also important for fishing, especially for lobster.
On the southern shore, there are some cays, like Cayo Cupey. These cays, along with special roads built over the water (causeways), are used for getting oil from the ground.
A Bit of History
The Bay of Cárdenas was the site of a historical event called the Battle of Cárdenas. This battle happened on May 11, 1898, during the Spanish–American War.
See also
In Spanish: Bahía de Cárdenas para niños
