The Escambray Mountains ( Spanish : Sierra del Escambray ) are a mountain range in the central region of Cuba , in the provinces of Sancti Spíritus , Cienfuegos and Villa Clara .
6-545: The Escambray Mountains are located in the south-central region of the island, extending about 80 kilometers (50 mi) from east to west, and 80 kilometers (50 mi) from north to south. Their highest peak, Pico San Juan , rises to 960 m (3,150 ft) above sea level. The Escambray range is divided into two sections by the Agabama River . The western part is called the Guamuhaya Mountains , and
12-540: A height of 1,142 meters above sea level, its last 2 meters were lowered to the current height in the 1980s, with the purpose of installing a meteorological radar that is still in that place. At the top, there is also a bust of the prominent Cuban caver Antonio Núñez Jiménez . The Sierra del Escambray, in the "Guamuhaya" Massif, was the scene of small combats between the Cuban aborigines and the Spanish conquistadors during
18-517: Is developed at the south-eastern foot of the mountains, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site . The mountains were the theater of the Escambray Rebellion in 1959–1965. It was also a planned refuge during the Bay of Pigs Invasion ; however, it was never used as such. [REDACTED] Media related to Escambray Mountains at Wikimedia Commons Pico San Juan Pico San Juan is
24-661: The 16th century. Later, during the last third of the 19th century, it was a refuge for the Mambises who fought for the independence of Cuba (1868-1898). Finally, it was also the scene of the armed struggle in the 1950s and 1960s, first of the 26th of July Movement , the Directorio Revolucionario Estudiantil and the Second National Front of Escambray against the army of General Fulgencio Batista (1957-1958), and then, during
30-450: The eastern part, raising between Trinidad and Sancti Spiritus , is best known as Sierra de Sancti Spíritus . After Pico San Juan, the highest points are Caballete de Casas , Gavilanes , Loma de Banao , Caja de Agua , and Pico Tuerto . Topes de Collantes is a nature reserve park established in the south-eastern ranges of Escambray Mountains, protecting and showcasing caves, rivers, waterfalls, and canyons. The Valley de los Ingenios
36-549: The highest point of the central area of the island of Cuba with 1,140 meters above sea level. Pico San Juan is located in the municipality of Cumanayagua , in the Cienfuegos Province , and belongs to the Escambray Mountains or "Guamuhaya", the largest mountain range in central Cuba. The mountain rises on a 1,140 meters above sea level of rivers, forests, valleys and peaks. Originally counting at
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