Cuba: Largest Caribbean Country Synonymous with Fidel Castro
Cuba is not just known for its Cuban cigars but also pristine white beaches and numerous bays and port cities. Cuba is a unique cultural gyroscope with Spanish, aboriginal and African influences. The country was under Spanish rule for a very long time from 15th to the 19th century who carried on sugar, coffee and tobacco plantations extensively and introduced African slaves for this purpose. Following its independence from Spain, Cuba was subjected to tortuous rule of its US-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista who was finally overthrown by Fidel Castro in 1959 in the famous ‘Bay of Pigs’ uprising. Since then Cuba has had to face constant US hostilities that also has an infamous offshore prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. Cuba has remained synonymous with the name of Fidel Castro for many years but now the baton has passed to Raul Castro, his younger brother.
Cuba Facts:
Located in the tropics Cubans enjoy a subtropical climate with summer temperatures of 25 degrees and 22 degrees in winter. Being situated near the Bay of Mexico has its downsides as Cuba is subject to frequent hurricanes and tropical storms.
Cuba Economy and Culture:
Cuba is well endowed with mineral resources and has the world’s second largest nickel deposits after Russia. Cubans are also renowned for producing fine Cuban cigars that are exported to all parts of the world. Cuba has a controlled economy in which public sector employment far outstrips the private one. In order to shore up its economy Cuban government is taking efforts to enhance medical tourism apart from regular tourism. Some oil has also been discovered in the North Cuba basin that has the potential of approximately 4.6 billion barrels.
Cuban culture features Spanish and African elements apart from aboriginal ones that is reflected in all their life aspects. Cubans love their sport especially Baseball followed closely by Volleyball and Boxing. The rich Cuban music has Son as the main style basis of other styles like salsa, rumbo and mambo. In fact, Havana is the Rap capital and also features the Reggae style prominently. Cuban cuisine is a rich fusion of Spanish and Caribbean cuisines and the typical Cuban meal consists of plantains, black beans, rice, Cuban bread, pork with onions and tropical fruits.
Cuban Tourist Attractions:
Cuba has a vibrant tourism scene with Havana and Satiago de Cuba leading the way. Havana or Habana boasts of an old town that also features on the World Heritage Site list and Malecon sea wall is the popular meeting point for young Cubans. La Bodeguita del Medio bar in Havana is closely associated with the famous write Ernest Hemingway who used it as his favourite joint. Camagüey in Santiago de Cuba features number of old churches and museums and also white pristine beaches the most famous of which is the Cayo Coco beach.
Other major Cuban Places to visit include:
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