Baconao

Infobox protected_area
name = Baconao Biosphere Reserve
iucn_category = IV

---

caption = Location of "Baconao Biosphere Reserve" in Cuba
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 a World Heritage Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO.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 the pre-Columbian period. Legend mentions a magical tree, called "bacona", that allowed the kid to play music from the lagoon's snails.

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 refuges and coffee plantations.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 thousand tons.

It is possible to climb 459 stone steps to the summit of the rock, and stand 1,234 meters above sea level for a panoramic view. It is said that on a dark night one can see the lights of Jamaica.

;Prehistoric ValleyIn the Valle de la Prehistoria visitors encounter dozens of life-size model dinosaurs 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 by Fidel Castro, spent the night prior to the attack on July 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 former coffee plantation and features a series of colour-coded gardens with unique scents and displays in each.

;Museum of History of Terrestrial TransportThe museum displays over 2,500 small-scale car replicas.

;AquariumThe aquarium is m to ft|30|abbr=yes deep, and has a submarine tunnel, and a Dolphinarium.

;Baconao LagoonThe lagoon has an area of km2 to mi2|4|abbr=yes. There is also a reproduction of a Taíno Village, and a restaurant specialized in seafood.

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