The History of Cuba, vol. 5Johnson, Willis Fletcher
History
The History of Cuba, vol. 5
Johnson, Willis Fletcher
Cuba -- Economic conditions; Cuba -- History
From Matanzas several short lines radiate, all of which are interesting,
especially those which wander through the valley of the Yumuri, and
another seven kilometers in length which follows the shore line and
sweeps up over the ridge, affording a beautiful view of the Yumuri,
stretching out to the westward. Another short line, only a few
kilometers in length, has been built to the caves of Bellamar, a
favorite resort for winter tourists.
Another drive reaching south to La Cidra, 16 miles distant, on the
railroad to Sabanilla, enables one to form some conception of the
country to the southward of the capital. Only a few kilometers from
Matanzas one of the main trunk lines has been completed as far east as
Contreras, 60 kilometers. From this line, just beyond Ponce, a branch
runs 8-1/2 kilometers to the charming little city of Cardenas, resting
on the southern edge of the bay.
Extending from Cardenas due west is another line, terminating at the
little town of Camarioca, 18 kilometers distant. Some five kilometers
along this road a branch sweeps north 10 kilometers to the Playa of
Varadero, the finest beach in the Island of Cuba, where many of the
wealthier families assemble for the summer to enjoy surf bathing on the
outer shore, and where the annual regatta is held during the season.
From Contreras the northern trunk line has been projected eastward,
through Corralillo, across the border into the Province of Santa Clara.
Short stretches of this line have been completed from the towns of Marti
and Itabo, but up to January 1, 1919, no trunk line extended further
west than Cardenas.
Cienfuegos, one of the principal seaports of the south coast of Santa
Clara, is the center from which two automobile drives radiate. One runs
26 kilometers to the westward, terminating at Rodas and passing through
a number of rich sugar estates. The other runs northeast, through
Caunao, Las Guaos, Cumaneyagua, and Barajagua, terminating at
Manicaragua, 38 kilometers distant. It penetrates the valley of the
Arimao where a good quality of tobacco, known as the Manicaragua, is
grown. The scenery is delightfully picturesque and interesting.
Manicaragua is on the western edge of one of Santa Clara’s most
important mining districts.
From Casilda, another seaport on the south coast, a short line has been
built to the quaint, old-time city of Trinidad, perched on the side of a
mountain and founded by the companions of Christopher Columbus in 1514.
This road has been extended further north ten kilometers and will
eventually reach the important railroad junction and road center of
Placetas, on the Cuba Company’s line, connecting the western with the
eastern end of the Island.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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