Ciego de Ávila, together with its sister province, Sancti Spiritus, form the central plains of Cuba. Cuba's least populous province, Ciego de Ávila has approximately 400,000 residents and is Cuba's leading producer of pineapples.

The capital of the province, also known as Ciego de Ávila, has approximately 100,000 residents and was founded in the mid-sixteenth century around cattle land owned by Jacomé de Ávila. His property included a large clearing (known as a ciego) that was frequented by travelers. Later, the area became known as Ciego de Ávila.

The captial city is 450 kilometers (285 miles) from Havana.