Residents

SANTA CRUZ DEL NORTE - OUR FRIENDSHIP CITY

The community of Santa Cruz del Norte is located between the cities of Havana and Matanzas along the north shores of the Republic of Cuba. This community is located in the province of Habana. There are 26 municipalities in the province of Habana. This community’s size is 131 square kilometers and a population of 32,153 citizens. The community was founded in 1800 and became an incorporated municipality in 1931. This community is one of the most interesting in all of Cuba. Oil exploration is an increasingly important industry. A large electrical power generator, using oil, dominates the landscape. This community is also important for its large rum distillery (Havana Club) and cigar manufacturing (Montecristo). The municipality is divided into distinct neighbourhoods surrounded by agricultural lands. These neighbourhoods are, Boca de Jaruco, Jibacoa, Arcos de Canasi and Santa Cruz (the town proper).

Canasi School		Canasi Pharmacy

Providing assistance, especially medical and school supplies, to Cuban towns has been projects of several Summerland citizens for many years. Joan Lansdell was instrumental in organizing such projects. It was felt that there was a need to focus on one community. Santa Cruz del Norte was chosen because of easier access. It is a one hour drive from the airport. Over the past four years, several Summerland businesses have helped provide aid. Specifically Shoppers Drug Mart and New Horizons Publishing have donated medical and school supplies to this community. The friendship agreement was established in 2006 with the signing of the agreement between Santa Cruz del Norte mayor (presidente) Lazaro Villalonga Bermudez and then Summerland Mayor David Gregory.

Santa Cruz del Norte		Gregory and Bermudez