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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
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.
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.
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North
Total Area: 110,860 sq km
Total Population: 11,394,043
Population Growth Rate: 0.273%
Sex Ratio: 0.992 male(s)/female
Ethnic Groups: mulatto, white, black , Chinese
Irrigated land: 8,700 sq km
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
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