Varadero
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Template:CoorHeader Image:Varadero Location.png Image:Varaderonasa.jpg Varadero is a popular resort town in the province of Matanzas, Cuba, and one of the largest in the Caribbean.
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Geography
It is situated on the Hicacos peninsula, some 140 kilometres east of Havana. The peninsula is only 1.2 km wide at its widest point, and is separated from the island of Cuba by the Kawama Channel. It slopes to the northeast, where its tip Punta Hicacos is the northernmost point of Cuba. On it there is north point a nature reserve with virgin forests and beaches.
Tourism
Varadero is first and foremost a tourist resort, and boasts more than 20 kilometres of white sandy beaches. Tourism grew as Irenee Dupont Nemours, an American millionaire, in the early 1930's built her estate on the peninsula. But the first tourists arrived at Varadero already in the 1870's, and for years it was considered an elite resort. But in 1959 when the Cuban Revolution triumphed the beach was opened to the people and all the mansions were expropiated from their rich owners.
As of 2006, Varadero is primarily visited by European and Canadian tourists, but also the number of American tourists is picking up. Juan Gualberto Gomez Airport (Varadero's airport) is the second-most important airport of the island after José Martí Airport in Havana.
Photo gallery
 Varadero Beach |
 Varadero Beach |
 Town of Varadero |
 City Park in Varadero |
Varadero is also called Playa Azul.