Jovellanos

Jovellanos is a municipality and town in the Matanzas Province of Cuba.

This article is about the Cuban town. For the Spanish writer, see Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos.
Jovellanos
Municipality
Jovellanos municipality (red) within
Matanzas Province (yellow) and Cuba
Coordinates: 22°48′38″N 81°11′53″W
CountryCuba
ProvinceMatanzas
Founded1842 (Corral de la Bemba)[1]
EstablishedFebruary 26, 1866
Area
 • Total505 km2 (195 sq mi)
Elevation
45 m (148 ft)
Population
 (2004)[3]
 • Total58,685
 • Density116.2/km2 (301/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
Area code(s)+53-45

Overview

The municipality is divided into the barrios of Asunción, Isabel, Realengo and San José.[1]

It was founded in 1842 as Corral de la Bemba[1] on the location of an old ranch called Bemba. It took its current name in 1870, in honor of the Spanish writer Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos. The same year it achieved the status of villa (town).

Jovellanos is also called "Bemba" by its inhabitants and locals. "Bemba" means "big lip" in Cuban Spanish; this term refers to the black population of the city. To outsiders, it may have negative racial overtones, but in the city this is not the case. Inside Jovellanos, the black and white population for the most part live harmoniously, side by side. Therefore, "Bemba" is an affectionate name for the town used by locals.

Jovellanos is an industrial town, with large and small factories, while sugar cane is cultivated in the surrounding areas.

Demographics

In 2004, the municipality of Jovellanos had a population of 58,685.[3] With a total area of 505 km2 (195 sq mi),[2] it has a population density of 116.2/km2 (301/sq mi).

See also

References
  1. Guije.com. "Jovellanos" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2007-10-07.
  2. Statoids (July 2003). "Municipios of Cuba". Retrieved 2007-10-07.
  3. Atenas.cu (2004). "2004 Population trends, by Province and Municipality" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-10-07.
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