Gravimetric measurements of the particulate matter fractions PM10 and PM1, conducted at Camagüey, Cuba are reported. Samples were collected with a low volume particulate impactor Dekati PM10 two times a week, between February and October 2008. Sampling was conducted both under the local background conditions and in the presence of the Saharan dust events. The mean values of particulate matter concentrations were 28.4 μg/m3 and 14.6 μg/m3 for PM10 and PM1, respectively. The maximum/minimum concentrations of particulate matter measured for PM10 and PM1 were 73.3 μg/m3/13.1 μg/m3 and 33.4 μg/m3/4.9 μg/m3, respectively. An analysis of the eight major inorganic species (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, NH4+, Cl-, NO3- and SO42-) in aerosol samples using ionic chromatography was conducted. An aerosol classification was developed depending on the air masses origins, wind velocity and direction at the measured site. The air masses origins were determined using backward trajectories derived from the HYSPLIT model. © Sociedad Española de Óptica.