Cuba

The Sierra Maestra Mountain Ranges is located in the Southeast part of Cuba and spans through 150 miles of land. This mountain range extends from Cape Cruz on the east of the island to the Guantanamo River Valley on the very west. The Sierra Maestra Mountains are also home to one of Cuba’s most visited and famous national parks: The Turquino National Park, which is the tallest mountain in the entire mountain range. The peak of the Turiquino mountain reaches 6476 feet, which is around a quarter of the height of the tallest mountain on Earth, Mount Everest. Most of the land in the Turquino National Park is protected for the diverse wildlife and to preserve the revolutionary history that happened in 1961. The mountain range is often divided and labeled into two different parts. The lower part of the mountain shows Cuba’s moist forests, while the higher parts shows Cuba’s pine forests. The moister part is unique for its high humidity, lush vegetation, and low elevation, making it home to most of the wildlife of the mountain range. The higher parts are often cooler and less humid, therefore having drier forests. In addition, the slopes of the Sierra Maestra mountains produce valuable woods like mahogany, cedar, and ebony. These areas are also suitable for growing coffee. In fact, 92% of Cuba’s coffee comes from the Sierra Maestra mountain range. The Sierra Maestra is one of Cuba’s most important natural resource regions. Many natural deposits and resources such as copper, iron, manganese, silver, chromium, asphalt, and marble, can be found scattered throughout the mountains. Additionally, the region is home to principal cities like Santiago de Cuba and Palma Soriano, which are important for the surrounding natural resources. The Sierra Maestra Mountains are vital to Cuba’s economy and environment and are a symbol of the country’s long history and stunning natural beauty.