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Port of Havana
Province: La Habana · Coordinates: 23.14, -82.34
The fleet assembly point of the Spanish Americas — convoy rendezvous, shipbuilding center, naval base and defended commercial hinge.
Commodities recorded
- sugar
- tobacco
- silver (transit)
- general goods
Sourced facts
Havana became the largest port in the region in the second half of the 16th century.
In the 18th century Havana developed the most complete dockyard in the New World.
Toward the end of the 18th century about 1,000 ships entered Havana Bay annually to load sugar and deliver overseas goods.
Its bay was an obligatory stop on the maritime route to the New World; LoC map holdings include Havana harbor soundings and fortifications.
Maritime corridors
Florida Straits Corridor
Western Cuba and South Florida as one historical relationship region across ~90 miles of water.
Gulf of Mexico Corridor
Havana and the Gulf ports linked directly through the Spanish fleet system and the Gulf Stream.
Atlantic Return Corridor
The fleet assembly system: Havana's dockyards, fortifications and Gulf Stream access on the maritime route toward Europe.
Connected American ports
- Key West
- Miami
- Tampa
- Veracruz
- New Orleans
All Cuban ports
Full port record
Maritime formalities
Sources
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Old Havana and its Fortification System (World Heritage 204)
- UNESCO — The Enchanted Seashell: a portrait of Old Havana
- Library of Congress — Historical maps of Havana harbor and Cuban ports
Information only — CubaAtlas does not operate a port, freight company or customs service, and does not sell, book or clear anything.