The village had the first settlement in the south coast at the region known as Batabano in 1514. It was a swampy area and people decided to move it to the bank of the river Almendares (former La Chorrera), and finally on 16th November 1519 was stablished officially in the place nowadays is

Forty years later the village was declared capital of Cuba. Its port became the obligatory arrival place for the european ships in order to supply and defend themselves against pirates and corsairs attacks. From there with their cargo full of gold and silver they sailed to Spain in convoys. The naval transit made possible a succesfull trade, that in a little period of time was favourable for the village, developing its economy more than the others city of the country. The cuban capital concentrates the maximal functions of the state and the government. Its industries produce a powerful effect in the national economy. The Havana Port (Puerto de la Habana) is the most important in the country. Through this port more than the half of cuban importations and exportations came in and out. Havana City is the national capital.

The Municipalities (Municipios) in Havana are : Playa, Plaza de la Revolución, Centro Habana, Habana Vieja, Habana del Este, Marianao, La Lisa, 10 de Octubre, Cerro, Boyeros, Arroyo Naranjo, Regla, Guanabacoa, Cotorro y San Miguel del Padrón.