Cuba

Cuba

area:	110,860sq km (42,803sq mi)
population:	11,217,100
capital (population):	Havana (2,328,000)
government:	Socialist republic
ethnic groups:	White 66%, Mulatto 22%, Black 12%
languages:	Spanish (official)
religions:	Christianity (Roman Catholic 40%, Protestant 3%)
currency:	Cuban peso = 100 centavos

Caribbean island republic at the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico. Cuba is the largest and most westerly of the West Indies' archipelago. It consists of one large island, Cuba, together with the Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth) and many small islets.

The highest mountain range, the Sierra Maestra in the se, reaches 2000m (6562ft) at Pico Turquino. The rest of the land consists of gently rolling hills or coastal plains.

Climate

Cuba has a semi-tropical climate. The dry season runs from November to April, while May to October is the rainy season. Fierce hurricanes may occur between August and October.

Vegetation

Farmland covers about half of Cuba and 66% of this is given over to sugar cane. Pine forests still grow, especially in the se. Mangrove swamps line some coastal areas.

History and Politics

Christopher Columbus discovered Cuba in 1492, and the first Spanish colony was established in 1511. The indigenous population was quickly killed, replaced by African slave labour. Cuba formed a base for Spanish exploration of the American mainland, and became a prime target for pirates. Discontent at Spanish rule erupted into war in 1868. Slavery was abolished in 1886. In 1895, a second war of independence was led by José Martí. In 1898, the sinking of the US battleship Maine precipitated the Spanish-American War. From 1898 to 1902, Cuba was under US occupation before becoming a republic.

During World War I, Cuba's economy flourished as the price of sugar rose dramatically. From 1933 to 1959, Fulgencio Batista ruled Cuba, maintaining good relations with the US. In 1952 he imposed martial law. Fidel Castro (supported by ‘Che’ Guevara) launched a revolution in 1956 and became premier in 1959. Castro nationalized many US-owned industries. In 1961 the US broke off diplomatic ties and imposed a trade embargo. Castro turned to the Soviet Union. Cuban exiles, supported by the US government, launched the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion. In 1962, the potential siting of Soviet missiles fuelled the Cuban Missile Crisis. Castro's attempt to export revolution to the rest of Latin America ended in diplomatic alienation. Cuba turned to acting as a leader of developing nations and providing support for revolutionary movements. Between 1965 and 1973, more than 250,000 Cubans went into voluntary exile. Castro legalized emigration in 1980, and many disaffected Cubans chose to leave. In 1998, Pope John Paul II became the first pontiff to visit Cuba and the UN called for an end to the US embargo. In 2002, the last Russian base in Cuba closed, and former US President Jimmy Carte, on a historic visit to Cuba, called on the USA to lift its 40-year embargo on the republic.

Economy

The collapse of the Soviet Union devastated Cuba's economy (2000 GDP per capita, US$1700). In 1993 Castro relaxed restrictions on private ownership of industry. The US trade embargo continues to bite, and the Helms-Burton Act (1996) imposed penalties on firms that invest in Cuba. Cuba relies heavily on its sugar industry (75% of exports). It is the world's fourth-largest producer of sugar cane. Nickel ore is the second largest export. Other exports include cigars, fishing, and rum.

Political map

Physical map

Websites

http://www.cubagob.cu/ingles; http://www.cubaheritage.com