Guayos

Infobox Settlement
name = Guayos
settlement_type = Town
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position = none
pushpin_map_caption = Location of Guayos in Cuba
pushpin_mapsize = 280
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = flag|Cuba
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = Sancti Spíritus
subdivision_type2 = Municipality
subdivision_name2 = Cabaiguán
named_for = Plant with the same name
elevation_m = 96
population_total =15000
population_demonym = Guayense
timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
latd=22 |latm=02 |lats= 59|latNS=N
longd= 79|longm=27 |longs=44 |longEW= W
postal_code_type =
postal_code =
area_code =+53-41-6xxxx
blank_name = Demonym
blank_info = Guayense
blank1_name =
blank1_info =
blank2_name =
blank2_info =
website =
footnotes =

Guayos is a small town located in the municipality of Cabaiguán, province of Sancti Spíritus, Cuba.

History

The name of Guayos was given to the town by travelers that were inspired by trees of the same name which surrounded the town. These trees would serve travelers as a place of rest and relaxation.

The Central Road (Carretera Central) and the Railway of Cuba (Ferrocarriles de Cuba) run along the whole island and connect Guayos with all the other provinces and their capitals, including the capital of the country, as well as with other small towns on the island. The bridge "Los Elevados" (literally "The High") was constructed at the same time as the Central Road under Gerardo Machado's plans to connect the whole country. "Los Elevados", keeps both, the Central Road and the railway running without interruptions and has become a symbol of the town and of national character.

Geography

The town is located in the central region of Cuba, only 13.6 miles (22 km) away from the exact geographic center of the island. Guayos' coordinates are 22° 2' 59" north, 79° 27' 44" west,cite web |url=http://reference.allrefer.com/gazetteer/G/G05990-guayos.html |title=Guayos, Sancti Spiritus Prov., Cuba - Facts & Statistics |accessdate=2008-07-23 |work=AllRefer.com |publisher=Columbia University Press] the town is only 231 m (373 km) away from Havana, the capital of Cuba and only 8 miles (13 km) away from its provincial capital, Sancti Spíritus. Guayos has an altitude of 96 amsl. The people that live in Guayos are called "guayenses".

Demographics

The population in Guayos has been growing since early 20th century. Today the population surpasses 15,000 inhabitants and is mainly composed by descendants of the Spanish Canary Islands. [cite web |url=http://www.guije.com/pueblo/municipios/vsancti/index.htm#pguayos |title=El Municipio de Sancti Spíritus Ciudades, Pueblos y Lugares de Cuba |accessdate=2008-07-23 |work=Guije.com |publisher=Mariano Jimenez es icon]

Education

As stated in the Cuban Constitution, there are no private schools in the town. School attendance is compulsory until end of basic secondary education (normally at 15) and uniforms are always required. Four primary schools and one basic secondary school cover the educational needs of Guayos. All schools have free lunch for the school staff, including students and teachers. The town has a public library in addition of each school having their own. Guayos also has a house museum, a house of culture, in-charged of managing cultural events in the town and a center for film projections and stage shows.

Healthcare

Guayos has a renovated cottage hospital and a pharmacy. The demolition of the old cottage hospital started on February 28, 2003 by the hospital's staff and volunteers. The Empresa Constructora de Obras de Arquitectura (ECOA 51) started the rebuilding, this process required the hospital to be moved into mobile facilities for several months. Manuel Wong, president of the hospital, assures that in this time, besides doctor, he became designer, bricklayer, plumber, leader of work and investor. The new building takes up a whole manzana (1.68 acres) and 2,372 square meters (2836 square yards) of length. The hospital offers new services and features such as ultrasound, observation rooms, X-Rays, microbiology, duodenal biliary drainages and a gym for physical therapy and rehabilitation.cite news | author = Juan Antonio Borrego | title = ¿Policlínico, hospital o academia? | url = http://209.85.215.104/search?q=cache:NRPmnIT6fNYJ:www.granma.cubaweb.cu/2004/11/13/nacional/articulo09.html+http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/2004/11/14/nacional/articulo09.html&hl=en&gl=us&strip=1| publisher = Granma | location = Cabaiguán, Sancti Spíritus | date = November 14, 2008 | accessdate = 2008-07-23 (Retrieved from Google's cache) es icon]

The pharmacy, located in front of the hospital, sells medication with and without prescription at very affordable prices; ranging from CUP$0.50 to CUP$20.

Economy

Guayos' economy is based mainly on agriculture. The sugarcane and the tobacco are cultivated extensively on the outskirts of the town. On the southwestern region of Guayos, the now destroyed sugar mill "Remberto Abad Alemán" lays next to the "Donqui" river. Cattle also contributes to the economy of the town.

Natural resources

On the outskirts of Guayos the quarry "Nieves Morejón" is found, from where limestones are extracted for the production of white cement in the nearby factory of Siguaney. Next to it, a maximum security prison of national character is located. On May 2008, the facility faced demands form prisoners that were not receiving letters. The post office of Guayos said that the were not delivering letters "because they do not have personnel to deliver the correspondence to the prison". [cite news | author = Yoel Espinosa | title = Prisoners at Nieves Morejón are not receiving any correspondence. | url = http://www.puenteinfocubamiami.org/News/2008/May/002.htm | publisher = Cubanacan Press | location = Santa Clara, Cuba | date = May 1, 2008 | accessdate = 2008-07-23 ]

Notable Residents

*Tomas Alvarez de los Rios - Journalist and writer of 'Farfán'
*Fayad Jamis - Author and painter
*Rafeal Garriga - Author, journalist, and lawyer
*Luis Alberto Acosta - Journalist
*Crucelia Hernandez - Poet and composer
*Kimany Ramos - Poet
*Isbel Gonzales - Author

ee also

*List of places in Cuba

References