Jardines de la Reina

Infobox protected_area | name = Jardines de la Reina
iucn_category = II

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caption = Location of "Jardines de la Reina" in Cuba
locator_x = 156
locator_y = 70
location=CUB
nearest_city = Santa Cruz del Sur
lat_degrees = 20
lat_minutes = 49
lat_seconds = 00
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 78
long_minutes = 55
long_seconds = 00
long_direction = W
area = km2 to mi2|2170|abbr=yes
established =
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body =

Jardines de la Reina ( _en. Gardens of the Queen) is an archipelago in the southern part of Cuba, in the provinces of Camagüey and Ciego de Ávila.

It was named by Christopher Columbus to honour the Queen of Spain. Jardines de la Reina was established as a national park ( _es. Parque Nacional Jardines de la Reina). With a surfaces of km2 to mi2|2170|abbr=yes, it is one of Cuba's largest protected area.cite web|url=http://www.pprincipe.cult.cu/santacruz/index.php?pag=vew_page.php&page=69|title=Jardines de la Reina|author=National Council for Cultural Heritage|accessdate=2007-10-08]

Geography

It is located in the Caribbean Sea, between the Gulf of Ana Maria (north-west), Gulf of Guacanayabo (south) and Caballones Channel (west). It extends on a general north-west to south-east direction, paralleling the Cuban coast for km to mi|150|abbr=yes from Cayo Breton to Cayos Mordazo. Cuba's second largest archipelago (smaller only than Jardines del Rey), it is formed by more than 600 cays and islands. Other cays in the archipelago include Caguamas, Cayos Cinco Balas, Cayo de Las Doce Leguas, Cayo Anclitas, Cayo Algodon Grande, Cayos Pingues and Cayo Granada.

Fishing

The archipelago is a popular destination for diving and fishing. It used to be one of Fidel Castro's favorite fishing spots. Species of fish found here include Cubera snapper, Bonefish, Yellowfin grouper, Black grouper, Goliath grouper as well as Strombus gigas, the large caribbean conch and Whale shark.

ee also

*Geography of Cuba

Read more about Jardines de la Reina at:
* [http://www.cadenagramonte.cu/english/science/doce_leguasl.asp Doce Leguas Labyrinth: a Community Offshore]

References

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