Official Name: Republic of Cuba
Capital: Havana
Cuba is an island country in the Caribbean, located where the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean meet. It is the largest island in the Caribbean and has over 4,000 islands and cays. Its landscape is diverse, with mountains, plains, and beautiful beaches.
Area: Approximately 109,884 square kilometers (approximately 42,426 square miles).
Population: Approximately 11.3 million people (as of 2023 estimate).
Language: The official language is Spanish.
Cuba has a tropical climate, with two distinct seasons: the dry season (November to April) and the rainy season (May to October). The country is located in the hurricane belt and is prone to hurricanes from June to November.
Cuba’s economy is dominated by state-run enterprises and it’s known for its exports of sugar, tobacco, coffee, and skilled labor. Tourism is an important sector, contributing greatly to the economy.
Cuba is a socialist republic, with the Communist Party being the leading and only legal political party. The President of Cuba is the head of state and the Prime Minister is the head of government.
Education in Cuba is compulsory from ages 6 to 15 and all students, regardless of age or gender, wear school uniforms. The country is known for its high literacy rate and strong emphasis on education.
Cuban culture is a rich blend of Native American Taino, Spanish, African, and Caribbean cultures. The country is known for its music and dance forms, such as salsa, son, and rumba, as well as its cuisine, literature, and sports, particularly baseball.
Notable Cubans include writer and journalist Ernest Hemingway, who lived in Cuba for many years, ballet dancer Carlos Acosta, and music icon Celia Cruz.
This is a general overview of Cuba, and there’s so much more to learn about this fascinating country, from its unique political history to its rich artistic traditions.
