Cienfuegos, April 22 (RHC) -- The southern city of Cienfuegos, one of four towns in Cuba categorized as World Heritage sites, is celebrating today the 195th anniversary of its foundation by French-born settlers.

The city of Cienfuegos was founded on April 22, 1819, as part of the Spanish metropolis' policy to increase the white population in the Caribbean nation for fear of another slave-led revolt such as that of Haiti in 1804.

The city, known at the time as the community of Fernandina de Jagua, was founded by French-born official, Luis De Clouet, who worked in the army of the Spanish crown, and who brought a group of settlers to the island, mostly from Bordeaux and New Orleans.

Cienfuegos, which adopted its current name 10 years later, in honor of the Asturian soldier Jose Cienfuegos y Jovellanos, who as Cuban captain general approved the city's foundation, became the only population founded by French settlers in Hispanic American territories.

Its architecture, urban design and sanitation network make it outstanding among its Ibero-American peers of the 19th century, prompting UNESCO to include it in its world heritage list in 2005.

As a culmination to celebrations in that central city, that kick off with a Culture Week, a trova concert led by the Hermanos Novo will convene about 30 artists and groups to perform at the 100-year old Tomas Terry Theater.