Prior to the 1959 Revolution, the eastern half of Cuba was a single province, straightforwardly called "El Oriente," or the East. Most Cubans still refer to everything east of Camagüey -- a region much more scenically and historically interesting than most of central Cuba -- as El Oriente, even though it is now composed of the distinct provinces of Holguín, Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantánamo. The region is less known and visited than the west, but every bit as rewarding for travelers (and perhaps more so). The farther east you go, the more emphatically Caribbean it feels. The region's remarkable landscapes include the north coast's exuberant banana and coconut groves, densely wooded peaks of the Sierra Maestra, and tropical rainforest on the east coast.
The wars of independence began in El Oriente in the 1860s, and nearly a century later Castro concentrated his power base in the inaccessible Sierra Maestra. Quiet but dignified Bayamo, which played a pivotal role in Cuba's revolutionary struggles, is the capital of Granma province. The gorgeous beaches of Guardalavaca, part of Holguín province, make it the fastest-growing resort in Cuba, while tiny, remote Baracoa, where Columbus first dropped anchor at the extreme northeastern edge of Guantánamo, is one of the most beautiful, rugged spots on the island. The former capital city of the Spanish colony, Santiago de Cuba, is not only known as a vibrant musical center, but also the cradle of the Revolution.
