Cuba

Cuba | Cuba flag | Political Map Cuba

Cuba, though a small country, is much talked about. The hostile relations the country shares with its big neighbour to the north, the US, is a favourite topic in the international diplomatic parlance. As a matter of fact the communist country is a thorn in the eyes of the world’s most powerful nation most famously associated with capitalism.

One of the world’s few remaining Communist states, Cuba was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492. Its subsequent colonization by Spain resulted in the decline of the indigenous Amerindian population. Centuries of highly oppressive Spanish rule provoked an independence movement. Rebellions occurring at some intervals were suppressed with firm hands. The Spanish-American War in 1898 saw the end of the Spanish rule. In 1902 Cuba became independent by the Treaty of Paris. Fidel Castro came at the helm of affairs in 1959 when he led a rebel army to victory. He has been ruling the country with iron hand since then.

Cuba has to some extent overcome the severe economic recession in 1990, thanks to the withdrawal of former Soviet subsidies. However the island state holds the US responsible for the difficulties to be the outcome of the US sanctions in place since 1961.

Cuba is located in the northern Caribbean at the confluence of the Caribbean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Travel overview
With its rich history and a wide range of natural attractions Cuba has lots to offer. Thanks to the communist regime, Cuba is an isolated place, thus keeping its culture intact. Retaining the old world charm, the country boasts many heritage buildings where Spanish architecture finds its fullest expression.
The capital, Havana, is home top many historic sites including Old Havana, a World Heritage site).

Other tourist attractions in the island sate is the city of Santiago de Cuba. The Indian pictographs at Cueva de Punta del Este are fascinating.

Capital: Havana
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean,
Climate: tropical,
Total Area: 110,860 sq km
Total Population: 11,394,043
Population Growth Rate: 0.273%
Sex Ratio: 0.992 male(s)/female
Literacy: 97%
Ethnic Groups: mulatto, white, black , Chinese
Irrigated land: 8,700 sq km
Languages: Spanish
Time Zone: UTC-5
Currency: Cuban peso (CUP) and Convertible peso (CUC)
Neighbouring countries: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay
Type of govt.: Communist state
Head of Govt.: Fidel CASTRO Ruz
Major Political Parties: NA
Participation in International Organizations: ACP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS (excluded from formal participation since 1962), OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Major Agricultural Products: sugar, tobacco, citrus, coffee, rice, potatoes, beans; livestock
Natural Resources & Minerals: cobalt, nickel, iron ore, chromium, copper, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, arable land
Industry & Transport: sugar, petroleum, tobacco, construction, nickel, steel, cement, agricultural machinery, pharmaceuticals
Airports: 92
Railways: 4,226 km
Roadways: 60,858 km
Waterways: 240 km
Major Trade Partners: China, Spain, Canada, US, Germany, Brazil, Italy, Mexico, Japan, Netherlands
Exports: $2.956 billion
Imports: $9.51 billion

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