Round hills between 60 to 80 meters above sea level are especially attractive for those that visit the Jumagua mogotes located some 5 kilometers from the central city of Sagua la Grande.

Local legend tells that these hills served as a refuge for pirates while history confirms the existence of soldiers from the liberation army hiding from the Spanish colonizers during the independence war.

With an extension of over 370 hectares, these rock formations are a unique symbol of the national geographic region.

The territory was controlled by very ancient indigenous people, mainly found in the hills with 8 caves of which 4 have over 600 meters of galleries and places used for funerals for the indigenous community.

Endemic flora and fauna found in the area are among the most important in Villa Clara while the central  part of Cuba is highlighted for its landscape and archeological values, declared a Protected Area and later Ecological Reserve.

There are over 420 species of plants, 48 endemic to the Cuban archipelago.

Among them are the “palmita de Jumagua” and the “roble enamo” and are only found in the northern side of several of the 8 mogotes (rock formations).

The fauna found in the region includes over 20 types of mollusks and some 100 variety of birds among them the Perico Carey, threatened family whose population is very limited.

There are also green and woodpeckers, Tocororo (Cuba’s national bird) and other birds, 14 groups of reptiles and a same number of bats.

This region is highlighted for its natural, scientific and tourism values which are very useful for environmental education and a landscape enjoyed by Cuban and foreign visitors.( Luz María Martínez)