Mayabeque is made up of the 11 eastern municipalities of the former La Habana province, with the capital in
San José de las Lajas. Mayabeque Province is named after the
Mayabeque River (the largest in this territory) as well as the south shore of Mayabeque beach, the place believed to be the original location of
Havana village (San Cristóbal de La Habana) that was founded in 1514. The new province became the smallest (excluding
Havana city province) and least populated province in the country. Mayabeque's economy is based on agriculture (potatoes, fruits, vegetables, sugar cane) and livestock farming, particularly milk production. It also has a relevant industry sector located mainly in
San José de las Lajas and
Santa Cruz del Norte. Products include building materials, electrical cables, rubber industry, glass vessels, ceramics, food processing, paper processing, bio-pharmaceuticals (in
Bejucal), fishing products, and oil and gas extraction. The province also has two large
Havana Club rum factories, power plants, and sugar mills; as well as important scientific institutions and an agricultural science university. == Municipalities ==