| Official Name: | Yara |
| Settlement Type: | Municipality |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Cuba |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | Granma |
| Established Title: | Established |
| Established Date: | 1912 |
| Area Total Km2: | 576 |
| Population As Of: | 2022 |
| Population Total: | 53,818 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Timezone: | EST |
| Utc Offset: | -5 |
| Coordinates: | 20.2767°N -76.9469°W |
| Elevation M: | 30 |
| Area Code: | +53-23 |
| Website: | https://www.yara.gob.cu/ |
Yara is a small town and municipality in the Granma Province of Cuba, located halfway between the cities of Bayamo and Manzanillo, in the Gulf of Guacanayabo. Yara means "place" in the Taíno language.[1]
The Taíno Cacique (chief) Hatuey was burnt at the stake in Yara, on February 2, 1512, after he organized a guerrilla war against the Spaniards. Hatuey is known as "Cuba's First National Hero".[2] This action gave birth to one of Cuban mayor's myths; "La Luz de Yara", The Light of Yara.[3]
On October 10, 1868, the beginning of the Ten Years' War in Cuba occurred and is known as El Grito de Yara (The Cry of Yara) and was the beginning of the First Cuban War of Independence.
Yara was established as a municipality in 1912, when Manzanillo was split up.
The municipality is divided into the barrios of Yara, Yara Arriba, Veguitas, Buey de Gallego, Coco, Caboa, Cabagán, Calambrosio, Canabacoa, Cayo Redondo, José Martí, Los Cayos, Mateo Romás and Sofía.[4]
In 2022, the municipality of Yara had a population of 53,818.[5] With a total area of 576km2,[6] it has a population density of 93/km2.