A very individual and special country, the Republic of Cuba comprises a main island, as well as the Isla de la Juventud and also a small number of archipelagos. Cuba lies directly to the south of the USA and the Bahamas, to the east of Mexico, and due north of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.Officially founded in 1492 by famous global explorer Christopher Columbus on behalf of the Kingdom of Spain, Cuba celebrates its Spanish roots and Spanish is the main language spoken here. Now home to a population exceeding 11 million people, this country has seen much revolutionary conflict over the years, with Fidel Castro leading the communist party for many years and Che Guevara famously heading up the Cuban Socialist Revolution party.
The stunning architecture of Cuba is a surprise to many, with its grand baroque and art-deco palaces being of great historical significance. Havana, the Cuban capital, has been shaped by its rich colonial heritage and contains much interest for the tourist, particularly within its Old Havana (Habana Vieja) district and around the Plaza de Armas. Trinidad de Cuba appears quite unravaged by the hands of time, remaining a Spanish colonial town steeped in character from the middle of the 19th century. Other top Cuban tourist destinations include Camaguey, Ciefuegos, Remedios, Santiago de Cuba, Vinales and Varadero.
Most travellers will find that Cuba is best visited between the months of December and April, since the heavy rains experienced during the hurricane season have passed, and the scorching, humid summer months have yet to arrive.
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World Guide to Baracoa, Cuba
World Guide to Cayo Guillermo, Cuba
World Guide to Cienfuegos, Cuba
World Guide to Havana, Cuba
World Guide to Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
World Guide to Trinidad de Cuba, Cuba
World Guide to Varadero, Cuba
World Guide to Vinales, Cuba
Cuba Information / Cuba Fast Facts
- Country: Republic of Cuba
- Population: 11.5 million
- Capital city: Havana
- Language: Cuban Spanish, also Haitian Creole, Catalan and Corsican
- Main exports: citrus fruits, coffee, fish, medical goods, nickel, sugar and tobacco
- Area: 42,430 square miles / 109,900 square kilometres
- Currency: Cuban Peso (CUP)
- Time zone: UTC-5 (daylight-saving time observed)
- Country dialing code: +53
- Religion: mainly Roman Catholic (85 percent), remainder Jehovah's Witness, Judaism, Protestant and Santeria
Map of Cuba
