Mariel, Cuba

This article is about the city in Cuba. For other uses, see Mariel.

Mariel
—  Municipality  —
Location of Mariel in Cuba
Coordinates: 22°59′37″N 82°45′14″W / 22.99361°N 82.75389°W / 22.99361; -82.75389Coordinates: 22°59′37″N 82°45′14″W / 22.99361°N 82.75389°W / 22.99361; -82.75389
Country	Cuba
Province	Artemisa
Area[1]
- Total	269 km2 (103.9 sq mi)
Elevation	5 m (16 ft)
Population (2004)[2]
- Total	42,504
- Density	158.0/km2 (409.2/sq mi)
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
Area code(s)	+53-7

Mariel is a municipality and city in the Artemisa Province of Cuba. It is located approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) west of the city of Havana. The town is situated on the south-east side of the Mariel bay. La Boca, Henequen, Mojica, Quiebra Hacha, Cabañas are major towns that conform the municipality of Mariel.

On the east side of the bay are a port, cement works and a power station, which contribute to very high levels of environmental contamination. On the west side of the bay is a former submarine base, later designated as a free trade zone.

The port of Mariel is the nearest port to the United States. In 1980, some 125,000 Cubans left Mariel and went to the United States in what is known as the Mariel boatlift. While many reached the USA, several died while traveling through the ocean. Those involved became known as "Marielitos".

Agustin Parla, born in Key West on October 11, 1887, of Cuban parents exiled during the struggle for Cuban's independence, was the first man to fly 119 miles (192 km) over the sea from Key West, Florida to El Mariel, Cuba, on May 19, 1913.

Demographics

In 2004, the municipality of Mariel had a population of 42,504.^[2] With a total area of 269 km² (104 sq mi),^[1] it has a population density of 158.0 /km² (409 /sq mi).

See also

• Municipalities of Cuba
• List of cities in Cuba

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Statoids (July 2003). "Municipios of Cuba". http://www.statoids.com/ycu.html. Retrieved 2007-10-07. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Atenas.cu (2004). "2004 Population trends, by Province and Municipality". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. http://web.archive.org/web/20070927111826/http://www.atenas.inf.cu/todo/Estadisticas/TABLA+No_3balance.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-07.  (Spanish)

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