HAVANA, a city and capital of the island of Cuba, on Havana Bay, on the N. coast. It is one of the most impor tant commercial points in the Western hemisphere, and its harbor is one of the finest in the world, well sheltered, and entered through a deep and narrow channel, opening into a large basin, ca pable of sheltering 1,000 vessels. The harbor is provided with excellent cov ered wharves, and a dry dock. The city is divided into two sections, the older one of which has narrow, crooked streets, while the modern Havana has broad and beautiful avenues. The parks and prom enades of Havana are among the most beautiful in the world; among them are the Plaza de Armas, in front of the gov ernor's palace; the Alameda de Paula, along the bay; and the Parque de Isabel, Among the notable buildings are the Opera House; the Cathedral, built in 1724; the Government Buildings; and the celebrated fortresses, Morro Castle and Punta, at the mouth of the harbor; and La Cabana, a fortress S. E. of Morro.
The city has a university, botanical gar dens, scientific, educational and benevo lent societies, gas and electric lights, and an excellent water supply, from the Chorrera. From 1761 till after the American occupation yellow fever was epidemic every summer, often very severe, but improved sanitary condi tions, due to the rigid rule of the Ameri can military authorities, have stamped out the disease. The manufactures of the city include cigars and cigarettes, sugar, rum, straw hats, molasses, honey, and preserved fruits. It has railroad communications with Cabanos, Matan zas, Santiago, and other cities, and steamship lines to the United States, France, Spain, and Great Britain. Ha vana was for years the seat of Spanish power in Cuba. The city was formally evacuated by the Spanish on Jan. 1, 1899. Pop. (1918) 360,500. See CUBA.