Spanish ships arrive annually to Havana from…
1563 CE
Spanish ships arrive annually to Havana from May through August, waiting for the best weather conditions, and together, the fleet departs for Spain by September.
Goods traded in Havana include gold, silver, alpaca wool from the Andes, emeralds from Colombia, mahoganies from Cuba and Guatemala, leather from the Guajira, spices, sticks of dye from Campeche, corn, manioc, and cocoa.
Ships from all over the New World carry products first to Havana, in order to be taken by the fleet to Spain.
The thousands of ships gathered in the city's bay also fuel Havana's agriculture and manufacture, since they have to be supplied with food, water, and other products needed to traverse the ocean.
In 1563, the Capitán General (the Spanish Governor of the island) moves his residence from Santiago de Cuba to Havana, by reason of this city's newly gained wealth and importance, thus unofficially sanctioning its status as capital of the island.