Santiago de Cuba

Santiago de Cuba, formerly the capital of the island of Cuba, and now the chief town of the eastern department, stands on a bay on the south coast, and has a harbour, deep, well protected, and fortified. During the Spanish-American War of 1898 Santiago was besieged by the United States forces; the Spanish fleet under Admiral Cervera, which had taken shelter in the harbour, made a dash out (3d July), but all the ships were sunk or captured. The town surrendered 17th July. It exports sugar, rum, cacao, coffee, tobacco, and mahogany. Pop. 71,307.