Basic information about Cuba

- Location: Cuba is located in the Caribbean Sea, between the Gulf of Mexico and the
North Atlantic Ocean.
- Capital City: Havana
- Population: 11,031,433 (July 2015 est.)
- Population Growth Rate: -0.15 percent (2015 est.)
- Ethnicities: Mestizo 26.6 percent, black 9.3 percent, white 64 percent (2012 est).
- Official Language: Spanish
- Religion: 85 percent are nominally Roman Catholic. The other 15 percent identify as
Protestant, Jehovah's Witness, Jewish, and Santería.
Economy

- 2019 GDP of Cuba: $148 billion; GDP per capita $12,920.

- GDP Annual Growth Rate: 1.9%. 
- Inflation: 5.9%. Unemployment: 1.7%. 
- Agriculture: sugar, tobacco, citrus, coffee, rice, potatoes, beans; livestock. 
- Labor force: 5.233 million; note: state sector 72.3%, non-state sector 27.7% agriculture
19.7%, industry 17.1%, services 63.2%
- Industries: Sugar, petroleum, tobacco, construction, nickel, steel, cement, agricultural
machinery and pharmaceuticals. 
- Exports: $1.41 billion (2017 est.): Mainly - sugar, tobacco, hard liquor, refined petroleum
and nickel,
- Imports: $6.21 billion (2017 est.): Mainly – poultry meat, refined petroleum, vehicles,
and agricultural products (such as wheat and corn)
- Major trading partners: China, Spain, Germany, and USA

Facts

- Cubans were not allowed to own cell phones until 2008 when the ban was lifted by
President Raul Castro’s government.
- There are now just two countries in the world where Coca-Cola cannot be bought or sold
– at least not officially. They are Cuba and North Korea, which are both under long-term
US trade embargoes (Cuba since 1962 and North Korea since 1950).
- When viewed from the air, the island of Cuba resembles a crocodile. Hence, it is also
referred to in Spanish as “El Crocodilo” or “El Caima.”
- The uniform color of school children depicts their grade level. Every child between the
ages of 6 and 15 is required to attend the school.
- Recipes in Cuba are passed down from generation to generation. They typically do not
write down their recipes.
Culture
Religions, Festivals and Holidays

- Cubans are not allowed to practice any religion. But it changed in the year 1970s, and
Cubans are religious freedom but has restrictions. In 1992 the freedom of their religion is
completely allowed. 60% of Cuban population are catholic. Few Cubans are practicing
the Santeria, a blended African traditional religion and Christianity.
- The Cubans festival was celebrated with great enthusiasm and enjoyment. The January 1
and July 26 are both associated with important events. The Communist holiday was
celebrated in May. October 10 was their Independence Day.
Music and Dance

- The music scene in Cuba is influenced by both Spanish and African music. Some of the
popular traditional music styles of Cuba include mambo, cha-cha-cha, charanga, danzon,
rumba, and a few others. The salsa evolved from a blend of these rhythms. Celia Cruz, a
Cuban native, is an internationally famous salsa star and is known as the Queen of Salsa.
- Cuban ballet is a highly popular performing art form in the country. The Cuban National
Ballet, established by Alicia Alonso, is recognized worldwide.
Literature and Arts

- Cuba started to develop its own literary style in the first half of the 19th century.
- In the 19-century slavery, racial mixing, colonialism, etc., were the major focus of the
country’s literature
- Cirilo Villaverde wrote the Cecilia Valdes a landmark novel. Jose Marti a national Cuban
hero also produced works in the late 19th century.
- after slavery was abolished, the country’s literature featured themes based on
independence and patriotism.
- Art in Cuba is a diverse mix of elements of African, South American, European, and
American origin.
- Federico Beltran Masses famous Cuban artist. Amelia Pelaez and Wifredo Lam a painter.
Alberto Korda internationally famed Cuban photographer whose photograph of Che
Guevara.
- Cuba is well known for the handmade cigars. The world’s finest cigars.
Cuisine

- Traditional Cuban cuisine is influenced by Spanish, African, Caribbean, and to a certain

extent, by Chinese cuisines.
- Pork
- Black beans
- Tomatoes, cassava, lettuce is the common vegetables
 - Cuban coffee is the world-famous coffee.
Clothing

- The Cuban dressing style is often described as cool and relaxed with a tradition based on
authenticity and simplicity.
- The Guayabera is the most famous traditional clothing of Cuba that is worn by men as a
classic linen or cotton shirt, usually white-colored, with or without embroideries.
- The shirts are worn on both formal and informal occasions including weddings. Panama
hats and linen trousers complement the look of Guayabera- wearing Cuban men.
- The Guayabera style is now not only popular in Cuba but is also worn by the fashion-
conscious men across the world.
- Guayabera dresses for women are also popular.
- Women and men in Cuba also wear western-style clothing and a pair of blue jeans is a
favorite of most.
- Low-cut tops and short skirts and vibrant dresses make Cuban women look very pretty.
- Rumba dresses with extravagant frills and ruffels and traditional African head wraps are
occasionally worn by Cuban women.
Sports

- Cubans love sports and sports play a very significant role in the social life and identity of
the country. Baseball, football, volleyball, boxing, etc., are all popular sports played in
the country.
- Baseball is by far the most popular sport in Cuba.
- The government of the country promotes sports by selecting young talented sportspersons
to attend special boarding schools where they are allowed to play various sports along
with their usual studies.
- The practice is one of the reasons why the country has been a consistently good
performer in international games like the Olympics. In 1992, the country earned more
medals per capita in the Olympic Games than any other country.
- The top athletes in the country are worshiped as heroes by the Cubans.
History

- Three tribes lived in Cuba: Taínos (wealthiest), Ciboneys and Guanajatabeyes.

- Christopher Columbus arrived in Cuba and claimed the islands for the Spanish.
- The Spanish ruled Cuba and treated Cubans with extreme cruelty.
- America went to war with the Spanish and defeated them Cuba became American for 4
years
- Cuba became independent in 1902 (Even though America still controlled the island by a
law called the Platt Amendment)
- Cubans stopped the Platt Amendment, but Americans still had a big say in Cuban politics
and owned most of the businesses.
- The Americans supported the leader Fulgencio Batista, who was seen by many Cubans as
corrupt.
- Fidel Castro led a revolution against Fulgencio Batista Castro gained power and ended
Cuban’s relationship with America
- America convince Cubans to attack Castro, but the plan failed
- Castro found out and asked the Soviet Union for help
- The Soviet Union put nuclear weapons in Cuba and aimed them at America
- America demanded that they be removed, or a new war would begin (AKA Cuban
Missile Crisis) The Soviet Union removed the missiles