The Almendares River traverses the city from south to north, entering the Straits of Florida a few miles west of the bay. The city extends mostly westward and southward from the bay, which is entered through a narrow inlet and which divides into three main harbors: Marimelena, Guanabacoa and Antares. Ĭontemporary Havana can essentially be described as three cities in one: Old Havana, Vedado and the newer suburban districts.

In 2009, the city/province had the third highest income in the country. The governor is Reinaldo García Zapata of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC). The city is the center of the Cuban government, and home to various ministries, headquarters of businesses and over 100 diplomatic offices.

Walls as well as forts were built to protect the city. Philip II of Spain granted Havana the title of capital in 1607. It served as a springboard for the Spanish conquest of the Americas, becoming a stopping point for Spanish galleons returning to Spain. The city of Havana was founded by the Spanish in the 16th century. The city has a population of 2.3 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of 728.26 km 2 (281.18 sq mi) – making it the largest city by area, the most populous city, and the fourth largest metropolitan area in the Caribbean region. The heart of the La Habana Province, Havana is the country's main port and commercial center.

Havana ( / h ə ˈ v æ n ə/ Spanish: La Habana ( listen) Lucumi: Ilú Pupu Ilé) is the capital and largest city of Cuba.

The dark heart of old havana