the main plaza and heart of the city (Parque Calixto Garcia). Demographics In 2004, the municipality of Holguín had a population of 326,740. With a total area of , it had a population density of . By 2012, the population had increased slightly to 346,195 for a population density of . Infrastructure There are several small city parks such as Parque Infantil, Parque San José, Parque San Isidoro (Las Flores), Parque Martí, among others, most central the Calixto García in the downtown area. Close by one finds the galleries Centro Provincial de Arte and Bayado, a library, the club Casa de la Trova, the Martí cinema, the Theatre Eddy Suñol, the Province Museum La Periquera, a science museum, and a history museum. One of the most famous landmarks of the city is the hill Loma de la Cruz (English: Hill of the Cross), which can be ascended by climbing its +450 stairs, and from where the whole city can be admired. There, in the early years of the city, a large cross was erected with the belief that it would protect it from evil coming down from the North. Holguín has a baseball stadium, named after Calixto García. Transportation Holguín is served by Frank País Airport (HOG/MUHG), located at 20°47´08"N, 076°18´54"W, with flights to Havana and several other world destinations, mostly in Canada and Europe. Education The main post-secondary education institution is the University of Holguín "Oscar Lucero Moya" (Spanish: Universidad de Holguín "Oscar Lucero Moya", UHO). Other post-secondary educational centers are: Universidad de Ciencias Médicas (University of Medical Sciences) "Mariana Grajales", Universidad Pedagógica (Pedagogical University of Holguin, formerly Instituto Superior Pedagógico, ISPH) "José de la Luz y Caballero", and Universidad Deportiva (formerly Facultad de Cultura Física) "Manuel Piti Fajardo". Notable residents Faustino Oramas, Cuban composer and musician Mario Kindelán, Olympic Gold Medalist amateur boxer Eglise Gutiérrez, opera singer Reinaldo Arenas, poet and novelist Oscar Hijuelos, Cuban-American Pulitzer Prize-winning author, whose parents were born and raised in Holguín before immigrating to the USA. Puntillita (Manuel Licea), Cuban popular singer Aroldis Chapman, Major League Baseball player Odalis Revé, Olympic Gold Medallist judoka Sister cities Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico Yazd, Yazd, Iran References Bibliography External links Holguín Web portal English-language city guide Holguin beaches guide Holguin Cuba Cuba Holguin Holguin Casa particular website - English city guide and photos Cities in Cuba Populated places in Holguín Province