Havana

Havana (/həˈvænə/; Spanish: La Habana [la aˈβana] ⓘ; Lucumi: Ilú Pupu Ilé)[5] is the capital and largest city of Cuba. The heart of the La Habana Province, Havana is the country's main port and commercial center.[6] It is the most populous city, the largest by area, and the second largest metropolitan area in the Caribbean region. The population in 2002 was 2,137,847 inhabitants,[7][6] and its area is 728.26 km2 (281.18 sq mi)[2] for the capital city side and 8,475.57 km2 for the metropolitan zone.[7][8] Havana was founded by the Spanish in the 16th century. It served as a springboard for the Spanish conquest of the Americas, becoming a stopping point for Spanish galleons returning to Spain. Philip II of Spain granted Havana the title of capital in 1607.[9] Walls and forts were built to protect the city.[10]