Province located in the western region of Cuba. It limits to the north with the city of Havana and the Strait of Florida, to the east with the province of Matanzas, to the south with the Gulf of Batabanó, and to the west with the province of Pinar del Río.
It has an extension of 5 725,6 sq km (2211 sq mi) and an estimated population of 677 125 inhabitants (1996). The province ranks twelfth in extension and eighth in population. The province is divided into 19 municipalities.
The province is part of the Habana-Matanzas plain and the heights of Bejucal-Magruga-Coliseo and Habana-Matanzas. Its relief is undulated and its maximum height is 317 m. Its hydrography is represented by rivers Canasí, Jibacoa, Jaruco, Santa Cruz, Artemisa, and Capellanías, as well as the dams Pedroso, Canasí, and Jaruco.
This province has a great development in agriculture, especially sugarcane growing and crops like grains and vegetables. Bovine and porcine cattle, as well as aviculture are exploited.
Industries like that for sugar production, food processing, fishing, and production of beverages play an important role in national economy.
