Today, most Cubans — about 70% — live in urban areas, beginning with Havana, the capital city of 2 million people. Habana grew to be the most important city in Cuba as a result of its location; it became very important to Cuba's internal [east-west] trade and external trade [exports to the United States and elsewhere]. Santiago is the second most important city in Cuba, for it is a vital seaport on the eastern end of the island with an important history in commerce and the slave trade. Other important cities in Cuba include Pinar del Río, Cienfuegos, Camagüey, and Holguín.
