Sancti Spíritus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ciudad de Sancti Spiritus
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Yayabo Bridge over the Yayabo River
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Sancti Spíritus municipality (red) within
Sancti Spíritus Province (yellow) and Cuba |
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| Country | Cuba |
| Province | Province of Sancti Spíritus |
| Founded | 1514 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,150.7 km2 (444.3 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 51 m (167 ft) |
| Population
(2022)
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| • Total | 142,618 |
| • Density | 123.940/km2 (321.004/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Espirituano/a |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| Postal code |
60100
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| Area code(s) | +53 41 |
Sancti Spíritus is an important city in central Cuba. It's the capital of the Sancti Spíritus Province. This city is one of the oldest European settlements in Cuba. Its name comes from Latin, meaning "Holy Spirit".
Contents
History of Sancti Spíritus
The city was founded in 1514 by Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar. He was a Spanish explorer and governor.
Sancti Spíritus played a part in early explorations. Some men from the city joined Hernán Cortés' trip to Mexico in 1518.
A Basque landowner named Francisco Iznaga was important in the area. He was elected mayor of Bayamo in 1540. His family later settled in Sancti Spíritus and Trinidad. The famous Torre Iznaga (Iznaga Tower) is linked to his family.
Geography and Climate
The city of Sancti Spíritus is divided into several areas called barrios. These include Banao, Bellamota, and Guasimal.
The Zaza Reservoir is a large lake located southwest of the city. It's a significant water body in the region.
The city also has a central park. This park is a popular spot for people of all ages to relax and have fun.
Interestingly, the geographic center of Cuba is located near the coast of this municipality.
Weather in Sancti Spíritus
Sancti Spíritus has a tropical savanna climate. This means it's usually warm all year. It also has a wet season and a dry season.
| Climate data for Sancti Spíritus | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 27 (80) |
27 (80) |
28 (83) |
29 (84) |
30 (86) |
30 (86) |
31 (87) |
31 (88) |
30 (86) |
29 (85) |
28 (82) |
27 (80) |
29 (84) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 18 (64) |
18 (64) |
19 (67) |
20 (68) |
22 (72) |
23 (74) |
23 (74) |
23 (74) |
23 (73) |
22 (72) |
21 (69) |
14 (57) |
21 (70) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 30 (1.2) |
43 (1.7) |
46 (1.8) |
69 (2.7) |
210 (8.3) |
280 (11) |
200 (7.7) |
200 (8) |
200 (7.8) |
220 (8.7) |
51 (2) |
23 (0.9) |
1,560 (61.4) |
| Source: Weatherbase | |||||||||||||
Population of Sancti Spíritus
In 2022, the city of Sancti Spíritus had a population of 142,618 people. The municipality covers an area of about 1,151 square kilometers. This means about 120 people live in each square kilometer.
Main Sights and Landmarks
One of the most important buildings is the Iglesia Parroquial Mayor del Espíritu Santo. This church is very old, dating back to the early 1500s. It is considered the oldest church in Cuba.
Nearby, you can find the Museo de Arte Colonial (Colonial Art Museum). This museum is in a beautiful old mansion. It used to belong to the Valle Iznaga family, a very important family in Cuba's history.
Inside the museum, you can see many original items. These include fancy furniture, French mirrors, and Italian marble tables. There are also beautiful Baccarat crystal chandeliers. The bedrooms are decorated in a grand style. You can see handmade lace and embroidered sheets.
Another interesting item is a special leather "smoking chair." In the music room, there's a very old American piano from the mid-1700s. It's one of only two like it in Cuba.
Yayabo Bridge
One of Cuba's oldest bridges crosses the Yayabo River. It was built in 1815 using clay bricks. The bridge has five arches, with the middle one being 9 meters tall. It is 85 meters long. It was first made for people walking and horse-drawn carriages. Today, it can still handle modern traffic.
Medical University
Sancti Spíritus is home to a famous Medical University. It is located on the main road in Olivos III. Students from many different countries study here. In fact, students from 34 nationalities attend this university. It is connected to ELAM in Havana, another important medical school.
Transportation in Sancti Spíritus
The city is crossed by the Carretera Central. This is Cuba's main highway that runs across the entire island.
Sancti Spíritus also has its own airport, the Sancti Spíritus Airport. The A1 motorway also has an exit for the city.
The city has a train station. You can take express trains from here to Havana. There are also terminals for long-distance buses and a local bus service.
Sports in Sancti Spíritus
The local baseball team is called the Sancti Spíritus Gallos. Their home games are played at the José Antonio Huelga Stadium. The city also has a football (soccer) team, the FC Sancti Spíritus.
Education
The Facultad de Ciencias Medicas Sancti Spiritus is a medical school in Sancti Spíritus. It helps train future doctors.
Notable People from Sancti Spíritus
- Joaquín Casillas – A former soldier and commanding officer in the Cuban army.
- Yuli Gurriel – A professional baseball player who plays in Major League Baseball (MLB).
- Lourdes Gurriel Jr. – Also a professional baseball player in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Gallery
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Street scene
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Museo de Arte Colonial
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Pedestrian zone
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Agricultural Market
See also
In Spanish: Sancti Spíritus (Cuba) para niños
