Havana's National Capitol building, or Capitolio as it is known in Spanish, resembles its Washington, D.C. counterpart in both design and name, although it is slightly taller. Construction lasted three years and the mammoth structure was completed in 1929. Designed to house the Cuban congress, after the 1959 revolution, it was occupied by the Academy of Sciences and is currently used by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and the Environment. A restoration effort is now underway, led by the Havana City Historians Office, directed by the world renowned architect and city historian Eusebio Leal. When completed, the Capitol Building will house the country's parliament and the Council of State. In today's program, host Cristina Escobar interviews Leal about the restoration work on the Capitol building, the history and details of the impressive structure, relations with the United States, if Havana is prepared for the expected arrival of increasing number of U.S. tourists, and his vision of the city's future. teleSUR