Viñales

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Viñales
Downtown Viñales
Location of Viñales in Cuba
Area Population Density	693,77 km² (Municipality) 27,129 (Municipality) 39.1 /km²
Established Location Altitude Province	1878 22°37′15.1″N, 83°42′27.3″W 180 m Pinar del Río
Municipio de Viñales

Viñales is a small town and municipality in the north-central Pinar del Rio Province of Cuba.

The town consists mostly of one story wooden houses with porches. In 2004, Viñales reported a population of 27,129, with a 0.69%/year increase^[1].

The municipality is dominated by low mountain ranges of Cordillera de Guaniguanico such as Sierra de los Órganos. Typical outcrops known as mogotes complete the karstic character of the landscape^[2].

1 History
2 Economy
- 2.1 Tourism
3 References
4 External links

[edit] History

The area was colonised at the beginning of the 1800's by tobacco growers from the Canary Islands, which settled in the Vuelta Abajo region.

The first settlement in Viñales is documented since 1871, in the form of a ranch belonging to Don Andrés Hernández Ramos.

It was established in 1878 as a typical community, with church, school, hospital and recreation park^[3].

[edit] Economy

Viñales is an agricultural area, where crops of fruit, vegetables, coffee and especially tobacco are grown with traditional methods. Fishing is also an important part of the area's economy.

[edit] Tourism

Tourism centered on the Viñales Valley is developing, the area being protected by constitution since February 1976, and declared a national monument in October 1978. The Viñales Valley has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since November 1999^[4], for the outstanding karst landscape and traditional agriculture as well as vernacular architecture, crafts and music.

Attractions in Viñales include the Museo Municipal, Casa de Caridad Botanical Gardens, Museo Paleontológico and the nearby caves (Cueva del Indio, Cueva de José Miguel, Cueva de Santo Tomás).

Hotel Horizontes Los Jazmines, outside Viñales, Pinar del Rio, Cuba	At a local casa particular, food is prepared from the end of the meal's life to its serving	A man rides down the main street in Viñales	Viñales Indian caves
The local Viñales police and Comité de Defensa de la Revolución office.	The Viñales Valley	A Viñales cafe	Local government graffiti: We are from the same house