Colonial Havana And Its Borders

Abstract

This article analyses the early evolution of Havana from its dual border condition: as a political border between the empires; and as a “systemic” border between the economy/world and the empire/world. This relationship allowed it not only to survive to the end of the fleets and the annual transfers of monetary resources from Mexico (situados), but to become a developmentalist city, center of the most formidable agroexport complex of XIX century, with a high level of capital accumulation. It implied the empowerment of the urban elite, with high ability to articulate economic, political and symbolic resources depending on the positioning of the city in the global system.

Keywords: City, Cuba, Borders, Ports, Caribbean.