- Baconao
Infobox protected_area
name = Baconao Biosphere Reserve
iucn_category = IV
caption = Location of "Baconao Biosphere Reserve" inCuba
locator_x = 245
locator_y = 92
location=CUB
nearest_city = Santiago de Cuba
lat_degrees = 19
lat_minutes = 54
lat_seconds = 7
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 75
long_minutes = 27
long_seconds = 46
long_direction = W
area = km2 to mi2|923.6|abbr=yes|wiki=yes
established = 1987
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = El Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Medio Ambiente (CITMA)Baconao Park is a large park region, located about 20 kilometers away from the city of
Santiago de Cuba , with a total surface of km2 to mi2|923.6|abbr=yes|wiki=yes. In 1987, it was declared aWorld Heritage Biosphere Reserve by theUNESCO .UNESCO . [http://www2.unesco.org/mab/br/brdir/directory/biores.asp?code=CUB+04&mode=all Baconao Biosphere Reserve Information] ]Origin of Name
The name Baconao is related to the name of a little native that lived in the south of
Cuba during thepre-Columbian period. Legend mentions a magical tree, called "bacona", that allowed the kid to play music from the lagoon'ssnails .This little Cuban was known for his fishing and swimming skills, as well as playing "Batos" (Cuban original baseball game).
The kid used to sit under the "bacona" tree to play music from his snail. Everybody in the village was fascinated, and thought that the ability to play the music was a gift from the magical tree. Therefore, they began to call the kid "Baconao".
One day, the young boy left the village for a trip, and never came back. The villagers believed that the kid's magic returned back to the trees, and as time passed, the whole area got the name "Baconao".
Attractions
The park contains a variety of attractions beside
wildlife refuge s andcoffee plantation s.cite web|url=http://www.radiohc.cu/espanol/medioambiente/reservas/baconao1.htm |title=Reserva de Baconao |author=Radio Habana |accessdate=2007-10-11 Es icon];Great Rock (Gran Piedra)The Great Rock is a large rock of volcanic origin, measuring m to ft|51|abbr=yes|wiki=yes long, m to ft|25|abbr=yes high, and m to ft|30|abbr=yes wide. Its estimated
weight is more than 63 thousandton s.It is possible to climb 459 stone steps to the summit of the rock, and stand 1,234 meters above
sea level for apanoramic view . It is said that on a dark night one can see the lights ofJamaica .;Prehistoric ValleyIn the Valle de la Prehistoria visitors encounter
dozen s of life-size modeldinosaur s sculpted in stone and other prehistoric creatures lurking in lush vegetation.;Farm (Granjita Siboney)The farm is the place where the attackers of the
Moncada Barracks "(Cuartel Moncada)" led byFidel Castro , spent the night prior to the attack onJuly 26 ,1953 .;Botanical GardenThere is also a km2 to mi2|0.45|abbr=yes|precision=2
garden , called "Jardin Ave de Paraiso", dating from 1860, that was laid out on a formercoffee plantation and features a series of colour-coded gardens with uniquescent s and displays in each.;Museum of History of Terrestrial TransportThe museum displays over 2,500 small-scale car
replica s.;AquariumThe
aquarium is m to ft|30|abbr=yes deep, and has asubmarine tunnel, and a Dolphinarium.;Baconao LagoonThe
lagoon has an area of km2 to mi2|4|abbr=yes. There is also areproduction of aTaíno Village , and a restaurant specialized inseafood .References
External links
* [http://www.aboutcuba.com/en/p_detail.asp?ft=3&p=80 About Cuba] - Baconao Park
* [http://www.dtcuba.com/ShowReport.aspx?c=36 DTCuba] - Baconao Park
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