About Cuba

Cuba is a dynamic island full of bright art, soul-stirring music, and charming historic villages. Cuba, once again accessible to American travellers, is a country waiting to be explored, with nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a population as kind and enticing as its tropical environment and vibrant arts.

OVERVIEW

Cuba is the largest Caribbean island republic, located 90 miles off the coast of Key West, Florida. The Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and Haiti are its neighbours. Cuba has a length of 44,200 miles, making it somewhat smaller than Pennsylvania. Rolling farmland, rocky mountains, metropolitan metropolises, quaint Colonial villages, and white-sand beaches make up its diverse topography.

Isla de la Juventud is a specific municipality on the island that is organised into 15 provinces. Rural Piar del Rio, where tobacco production is gaining traction, seashore Santiago de Cuba, the country’s second largest city after Havana, is teeming with colourful Afro-Cuban culture, and colonial Havana are all worth visiting.

With 11.2 million people, Cuba has a diversified population. Despite its indigenous roots, European, African, and North American influences have had the most impact on Cuban culture. With 11.2 million people, Cuba has a diversified population. Despite its indigenous roots, European, African, and North American influences have had the most impact on Cuban culture.

ENVIRONMENT

Cuba is a world leader in sustainable ecological practices and has begun making the transition from agricultural imports to low-footprint, sustainable farming. It’s also one of the first countries to ban the sale of incandescent lighting, having replaced bulbs with energy-saving compact fluorescents. Environmentally conscious travelers can revel in six rich UNESCO biosphere reserves, ranging from tropical dry, humid or deciduous forest to mangroves. The island features 3,570 miles of coastline. Its longest river, the Rio Cauto flows for 213 miles. Cuba is also home to the world’s smallest bird, the zunzuncito, a bee hummingbird native to the island.

EDUCATION

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizations Institute for Statistics, Cuba’s literacy rate is 99.8 percent, the second highest in the world. Cuba’s longstanding, highly regarded educational system is anchored by 47 universities and 23 medical schools. Education has been nationalized since the Cuban Revolution. As of 2008, according to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, 13.6 percent of Cuba’s GDP is spent on education, which is subsidized for all Cuban people, regardless of income. Primary and secondary education are part of Cuba’s educational system. Students can select between pre-university, technical, and professional education after completing basic secondary school. They can then enrol in public universities or higher education centres, such as pedagogical or polytechnic institutes.

HISTORY

Cuba is a place of perseverance. Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492, it was colonized by Spain. The U.S. claimed Cuba during the Spanish-American War in 1898. However, in 1902, the island gained its independence. During the Cuban Revolution between 1953 and 1959, Fidel Castro replaced U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista. Castro declared Cuba a socialist state in 1961. He remained in power until he became ill in 2008 and relinquished governmental control to his brother, Raul. The Communist Party of Cuba is the country’s governing political body. Following a Marxist-Leninist model, it is committed to socialism.

ECONOMY

The Cuban government operates on a socialist economic paradigm. While the government controls most resources and employs the majority of inhabitants, there has been a noteworthy rise in the private job sector. Private ownership of homes and automobiles was just introduced under new legislation. In 2006, the private sector employed 22 percent of the population, up from 14 percent in 1981. Cuba’s primary sectors include food production and industrial items, with sugar, nickel, shellfish, citrus, tobacco products, and rum serving as major exports.

WEATHER

Cuba has a semi-subtropical climate, divided into two seasons: wet (May-October) and dry (November- April). However, regional variations and trade winds account for fluctuations. Cuba’s average temperature is 77 °F. Compared to most countries, Cuba experiences little variation, although July and August can be hot and humid. Nearly two-thirds of all rainfall occurs during the wet season. Hurricane season is from June-November. Cuba has an advanced disaster preparedness system and civil defense network for evacuations.

LANGUAGE

Cuba’s official language is Spanish. Please keep in mind that there are variances in Cuban-Spanish, which can make it difficult for native Spanish speakers to understand. The majority of Cubans speak solely Spanish, but English is widely spoken in larger towns and tourist destinations. The English-speaking hosts of InsightCuba will provide translation throughout the show. Although knowledge of Spanish is not needed, we recommend that you learn a few basic words and phrases to make the most of your time in Cuba.

RELIGION

Cuba’s predominant religion is Catholicism, which has been influenced by a variety of faiths. Santera, a mix of Christian-West African Yoruba and Roman Catholic Christianity, is one of the most prominent influences. Palo Monte and Abakua, both founded in African traditions, are two other religions. Thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses also live in the area. For ages, Jewish Cubans have lived on the island. On the Caribbean island, a Muslim minority makes up roughly 0.1 percent of the population.

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