ALTURAS DE BANAO This area has been proposed as an ecological preserve. It contains beautiful mountain valleys, rivers, waterfalls and domed karsts peaks. More than 900 species of plants have been reported in this area, and many botanists come here to collect species of Cuban flora—more than 150 of which, including several kinds of banana plants, are endemic to Cuba.
A high percentage of the amphibians and reptiles are also endemic, and fossil remains of monkeys and sloths that were exclusive to Cuba have also been found. Hike or ride a mule along the Banao-La Sabina Trail to a beautiful wooden house.
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ALTURAS DE BANAO, located north of the town of Banao, is Sancti Spiritus Province, this ecological preserve cover the upper and middle parts of the Banao River - which runs form north to south - and Higuanojo River - which runs from south to north and from east to west Valleys. It is mountainous, with peaks between 328 and 2625 feet. |
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SANCTI SPIRITUS Located at the center of the island, the province of Sancti Spíritus has the privilege of being the only territory of the Cuban archipelago where two of the first seven villas were founded at the beginning of the XVI century by the Spanish discoverer, Diego Velázquez: Espíritu Santo and Santísima Trinidad.
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The highest mountain in the area is known as Las Tetas de Juana. Because of its ecological wealth, many scientific collecting expeditions and studies have been carried out here since the 1900´s. More than 900 species of plants - more than 150 of which are endemic to Cuba and some of which are typical of the immediate area around Banoa.
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