Sustainable Development Program Benefits Cuba's Mountain Dwellers

"The Turquino Project is a program for comprehensive and sustainable development to harmonize production and social development with conservation of the environment and reinforcement of the country's defense system."

"This program, which involves a number of central state administration agencies, has changed life for the historically marginalized montañeses (mountain dwellers), who now have highways, electricity, water and food supplies, schools, hospitals and cultural centers for entertainment."

"From an economic standpoint, all of the country's coffee and cacao production are based in the mountains, particularly in Baracoa, thanks to its excellent environmental conditions."

"The mountains contain the greatest volume of forests in the nation, which provide a large percentage of raw materials for the lumber industries. "