Page 170 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

168  CUBA REGION B Y REGION

6 Península de Zapata

This peninsula is named after the landowner who was
granted the land by the Spanish crown in 1636. It is one
of the least populated areas of the island, and mostly consists
of a huge swamp, partly covered by forest. In the past the
inhabitants made their living by extracting peat and making
charcoal. Zapata is one of the most complete wildlife reserves
in the Caribbean, rich in birds and animals, and one part,
the area around the Laguna del Tesoro, has been designated
a national park, the Gran Parque Natural de Montemar.
The Caribbean coast, with its sandy beaches, attracts A mangrove swamp, characteristic of
scuba divers and snorkellers. some tropical coastal areas

Santo Tomás
Key Quemado Grande
Maneadero
Major road
Minor road

The Fauna of the Zapata Swamp Z A P AT A
Caletón
This habitat supports about 150 species of bird, including the
zunzuncito (see p25), the Cuban Pygmy owl, the Zapata Rail, a rare Buena
type of baldicoot, waterhen, various species of parrot, and heron. Ventura
Along the coast manatees can be seen (the Caribbean species
is over 4 m/13 ft long and weighs about 600 kg/1,320 lbs).
The beaches and roads are invaded each spring by crabs
leaving the water to mate.

KEY
1 The Laguna de las Salinas is the
winter home of many species of
The Cuban crocodile The Cuban Pygmy owl migratory bird from November to
(Cocodrilo rhombifer) has been (Glaucidium siju) is a small May and offers excellent bonefishing.
protected since the 1960s. nocturnal raptor. 2 Corral de Santo Tomás is a
refuge and observation point for
migratory birds. It can only be visited
with an official guide (ask at the
National Park office).
3 La Cueva de los Peces is a
natural pool (cenote), 70 m (230 ft)
deep, lying along a fault line. It is
an ideal spot for scuba diving
and snorkelling.
The grey heron lives in the The zunzuncito (Mellisuga 4 Caleta Buena, a splendid cove
mangrove swamps and feeds helenae) is multicoloured (male) 8 km (5 miles) from Playa Girón, is
on small fish and amphibia. or black-green (female). perfect for snorkelling.

For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp259–60 and pp273–4

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