Cuba (Spanish Cuba), the official name is the Republic of Cuba (Spanish República de Cuba), unofficial since 1959 - the Island of Liberty) - an island state in the northern Caribbean. The country occupies the territory of the island of Cuba as part of the Greater Antilles, the Juventud Islands and many smaller islands. Cuba is separated from North America by the Florida Strait in the north and the Yucatan Strait in the west.
The capital and largest city is Havana.
Geographical position
Cuba is located at the junction of North, Central and South America, on the island of Cuba (the largest in the West Indies), Juventud Island, as well as on the adjoining 1600 small islands and coral reefs belonging to the Greater Antilles group. The coastline is characterized by deep bays and many convenient bays. The island is surrounded by reefs and other coral formations.
The territory of Cuba is 111 thousand km². The island, which stretches from west to east for 1250 km, is often compared to a lizard, whose body is facing the Atlantic, and the tail is at the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico. In the south, Cuba is washed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea, in the northwest by the Gulf of Mexico, and in the northeast by the Atlantic Ocean. The distance from Cuba to the United States at the narrowest point of the Florida Strait is 180 km, to the island of Haiti through the Windward Strait - 77 km, to the island of Jamaica through the Colon Strait - 140 km, to Mexico through the Yucatan Strait - 210 km.
Relief
The relief of Cuba is predominantly flat. Hills and mountains occupy about a third of the territory. The highest mountain range, the Sierra Maestra, stretches along the southeast coast for 250 km. Its highest point is Turkino Peak (1972 m). The picturesque low mountains located in the west of the island are intricately dissected and poorly populated.
Karst is widely developed in Cuba, in this regard, many caves are known, including large ones. So, in the west, the Santo Tomas Cave has an extensive network of underground galleries with a total length of 25 km. Often there are the so-called "mogotes" - forms of tropical karst, which are hills with almost vertical slopes and flat tops. About 2/3 of the entire area of \u200b\u200bCuba is occupied by slightly hilly plains. They are the most populated and developed. The shores are usually low, sometimes swampy, in many cases overgrown with mangroves. There are often sandy beaches that stretch for many kilometers (for example, on the Icacos Peninsula, where the famous resort of Varadero is located).
Minerals
Cuba occupies one of the leading places in the world in nickel mining (2nd in the world in terms of reserves and 3rd in production), has significant reserves of chromium, manganese, iron and copper ores, asbestos, rock salt, phosphorites. Oil and gas fields have been discovered in the west of the country.
Climate
Cuba's climate is tropical, trade wind. The average annual temperature is 25.5 ° C. The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is 22.5 ° C and the hottest month (August) is 27.8 ° C. The temperature of surface waters off the coast is 22-24 ° C in winter and 28-30 ° C in summer. The average annual amount of precipitation, which usually falls in the form of rainstorms, is 1400 mm, however, dry years often occur.
Cuba has two distinct climatic seasons: rainy (May-October) and dry (November-April). The rainy season accounts for 3/4 of the total annual precipitation.
A feature of the Cuban climate is the typical high humidity throughout the year. The combination of high humidity and high temperature has an overall adverse effect on human life. However, on the coast, the wind from the sea moderates the heat, brings freshness, and in the evenings and coolness. In any place the winds are characterized by a certain constancy, therefore it is often possible to see trees, the trunks of which have a corresponding inclination.
Cuba is prone to tropical cyclones, which originate in the summer-autumn period (June - mid-November) east of the Lesser Antilles and in the west of the Caribbean Sea, then moving towards Florida. Typhoons are accompanied by heavy downpours and strong winds that can cause great damage to the economy and population of the island. Rivers in Cuba are short, not full of water. Forests, covering about 10% of the territory, have survived only in mountainous and swampy areas. The fauna of the land is relatively poor. At the same time, in the waters surrounding Cuba, there are valuable commercial fish, molluscs, lobsters, shrimps and sponges.
Administrative division
Cuba is a unitary state. The national territory is divided for political and administrative purposes into 14 provinces and the special municipality of Juventud Island.
- Juventud Island (Spanish Isla de la Juventud)
- Pinar del Rio (Spanish: Pinar del Rio)
- Havana (Spanish: La Habana)
- City of Havana (Spanish: Ciudad de La Habana)
- Matanzas (Spanish: Matanzas) Cienfuegos (Spanish: Cienfuegos)
- Villa Clara (Spanish: Villa Clara)
- Sancti Spiritus (Spanish: Sancti Spiritus)
- Ciego de Avila (Spanish: Ciego de Avila)
- Camagüey (Spanish: Camagüey) Las Tunas (Spanish: Las Tunas)
- Granma (Spanish: Granma)
- Holguin (Spanish Holguin)
- Santiago de Cuba (Spanish: Santiago de Cuba)
- Guantanamo (Spanish Guantanamo)
On the island of Cuba there is a railway (Cuban railway, Spanish Ferrocarriles de Cuba), a network of highways. There are sea and air links with other countries. Cubana de Aviación, the leading airline in Cuba, has offices in 32 countries.
Communication
After Castro came to power, the development of telecommunications on the island was extremely difficult. Cuba, however, was helped a lot by the Soviet Union, which provided some resources, such as communication channels.
In 2003, there were 2 Internet providers operating on the island. National domain.cu.
Cuba has only one operator today mobile communication - ETECSA company under the Cubacel trademark. An interesting fact is that until 2008 the use of mobile services for ordinary residents of the country was prohibited. Only foreign citizens and senior officials of the country were allowed to use mobile communication services. After Raul Castro canceled the terms of use mobile phones in the country, the national telecom operator - ETECSA - from April 14, 2008 began to provide communication services for ordinary citizens. In Cuba, the GSM 900 standard is currently in force, and in some areas of Havana and the resort Varadero - GSM 850.
Population
Cubans are a people of mixed origin. By the time the Spaniards appeared here, Cuba was inhabited by the tribes of the Siboneans, Indians of the Arawak group, Guanahanabes and Indians who migrated from Haiti. But as a result of Spanish colonization, most of the Indians were exterminated.
Since the Spanish colonists needed a lot of labor, primarily to work on the plantations, they began to import slaves from central Africa (mainly Yoruba, Ashanti, Ewe, Congo). Over 350 years, the Spaniards imported more than 1 million African slaves, their descendants make up 40% of the population. For the same reason, over 125,000 Chinese were imported from Asia between 1853 and 1874. The Chinatown has survived to this day in Havana. In addition, Indian slaves were imported, but in small numbers, from Yucatan, Central and South America. During the same period, 850,000 immigrants arrived from Spain, mainly Galicians, Castilians, Navarrians, Catalans, however, it should be noted that not all of them remained to live in Cuba. They are collectively called Gallego (Galician). Since the end of the 18th century. there was also a large stream of French from Haiti and Louisiana. Quite an intensive flow of immigrants was also from Germany, Italy and Britain. At the beginning of the 20th century, many Americans settled in Cuba, who created their colonies on about. Pinos (present. Juventud Island). There were very strong waves of immigration to Cuba during and after the first and second world wars, first of all, Jews moved here.
Data on the racial makeup of Cuba are conflicting. According to official figures, the population of Cuba consists of white - 65.1%, mulattos - 24.8%, blacks - 10.1% (according to the 2002 census). According to the Institute of Cuban Studies at the University of Miami, 68% of Cubans are blacks and mulattoes. The international minority rights group claims that 51% of the population is mulatto.
In 1953, the proportion of the white population was 84%, but then declined, mainly as a result of emigration after the revolution.
History
The first of the Europeans to find themselves here was Columbus, who landed in the east of the archipelago in October 1492. In 1511 Diego Velazquez de Cuellar subdued the indigenous population of the islands, built Fort Baracoa and became the first Spanish governor of Cuba. By 1514, seven settlements were founded. In 1515, Cuellar moved his headquarters to Santiago de Cuba, which became the first capital of Cuba. Colonization took place in a struggle with the indigenous population of the island - the Taino Indians, who constituted 75% of the population.
In 1823, the first independence uprising was suppressed.
In 1868, Cuba's Ten Years War of Independence began; the rebels were supported by the United States. Military operations culminated in 1872-1873, but then the rebels fought only in the eastern provinces, Camaguey and Oriente. In 1878, a peace agreement was signed that eliminated the most unpleasant legislation for the inhabitants of the island.
In 1895, a detachment of Cuban patriots under the leadership of José Martí landed in Cuba. This event became the starting point of a new war with the Spaniards, during which the Cubans gained control over almost the entire territory of the island, excluding large cities (see Cuba's War of Independence).
In 1898, the United States began a war with Spain, which was won. Cuba becomes dependent on the United States. The constitution stipulated the right of the United States to send troops into the country. This item was canceled in 1934.
In 1933, as a result of a coup organized by revolutionaries led by Sergeant Fulgencio Batista, the dictator Gerardo Machado y Morales was overthrown and a democratic regime established.
On March 10, 1952, Fulgencio Batista carried out a coup d'etat and established a personal dictatorship.
On July 26, 1953, a group of revolutionaries led by Fidel Castro attempted to seize the Moncada barracks. The attempt was unsuccessful, and the participants in the assault ended up in prisons, but this event became the starting point of the Cuban revolution. In 1955, the revolutionaries were amnestied. On December 2, 1956, a new group of revolutionaries disembarked from the yacht Granma in the east of the island and began military action against the Batista government.
On January 1, 1959, dictator Batista fled Cuba. At that time, the rebel forces occupied the city of Santa Clara in the center of the island and controlled large tracts of terrain in the east, although the capital was not in immediate danger, and significant military forces remained at Batista's disposal. In the conditions of the power vacuum resulting from Batista's flight, on January 8, the rebel column entered Havana, where it was greeted with popular jubilation.
As a result of the victory of the revolution, power in Cuba was given to a left-leaning government headed by Fidel Castro, who then leaned towards the path of building socialism and is in power to this day. The ruling and only authorized party in the country is the Cuban Communist Party. The government of Fidel Castro carried out an agrarian reform, the nationalization of industrial assets, launched widespread social transformations, which alienated many groups of the population, and the process resulted in a massive emigration of dissatisfied people, mainly in the United States, where a large diaspora of opponents of Castro and his policies was created.
In April 1961, Cuban emigrants, with the active support of the United States, landed an armed assault on the southern coast of the island with the aim of organizing a massive uprising against the policies of the new government in the future, but the intervention was quickly suppressed, and the expected social explosion did not occur. Subsequently, the émigré organizations have repeatedly organized terrorist attacks and small-scale landings in Cuba, but without much results.
From the early 1960s to the early 1990s, Cuba was an ally of the USSR, which provided significant financial, economic and political support, actively supported the Marxist rebels and the Marxist regimes of Latin America (Puerto Rico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Bolivia, Peru , Brazil, Argentina, Chile), Africa (Ethiopia, Angola) and Asia, and also pursued a policy of providing humanitarian assistance to various countries of the world. In the late 1980s, more than 70,000 Cubans were abroad on military and humanitarian missions.
Immediately with the revolution of 1959, political repressions began (see repressions during the reign of Castro), primarily directed against the leaders of the ousted regime of the dictator Batista and the CIA agents.
Castro reacted negatively to the policy of perestroika in the USSR and even banned the distribution of a number of Soviet publications in Cuba (Moskovskie Novosti, Novoye Vremya, etc.), and at the same time supported Gorbachev's main opponent, Yeltsin. According to Yeltsin's recollections, Castro expressed sympathy for him both during the years of disgrace and later, after his coming to power, despite the obvious anti-socialist nature of the reforms in Russia.
With the collapse of the USSR, Cuba suffered huge economic losses (up to half of its GDP), and analysts predicted the imminent fall of the Castro government, but by 1994 the situation had basically stabilized, and the country's economic condition is currently assessed by international organizations as quite satisfactory.
On February 19, 2008, through the Granma newspaper, Fidel Castro announced his resignation from the post of Chairman of the State Council and Commander-in-Chief of Cuban troops. "To my dear fellow citizens, who gave me the immeasurable honor of electing me a member of Parliament, which will make decisions that are most important for the fate of the revolution, I inform you that I do not intend and will not give my consent to take the post of Chairman of the State Council and Commander in Chief," in circulation.
Observers are concerned about the political stability of Cuba in the process of transfer of power from Fidel Castro to his heirs.
State structure
Public administration is a republic. The legislature is a unicameral parliament (National Assembly).
Executive power belongs to the chairman of the State Council (head of state) and the chairman of the Council of Ministers (head of government).
Economy
Benefits: The tourism industry attracts foreign investors. Export of sugar and nickel. Elite cigars. The banking sector is strengthening.
Weaknesses: Lack of access to important markets and investments due to the US embargo. Acute foreign exchange deficit. Fluctuations in world prices for sugar and nickel. Complicated trade restrictions and lack of legal regulations discourage investment. Bad infrastructure. Lack of fuel, fertilizers and spare parts. 2001 hurricane damage
There are different points of view regarding the level of development of Cuba before the revolution. According to a number of sources, in terms of GNP per capita, Cuba was ahead of Spain and Japan at that time. Robin Blackburn also wrote that Cuba was one of the richest countries in the underdeveloped category. Professor Maurice Halperin, who worked in Cuba immediately after the revolution, objected to the application of the term "underdeveloped" to pre-revolutionary Cuba, which, in his words, evoked false associations with truly backward countries, and suggested calling it "moderately developed." On the other hand, the Groningen Growth and Development Center, having carried out their own retrospective calculations using a special method, received data stating that Cuba in 1958 was inferior to these countries and a number of Latin American ones.
According to statistics, in 1951 in Cuba there were 122 thousand cars per 5.5 million population, that is, 1 car for 41 people. At the same time, according to the authors of the Area Handbook for Cuba, “all this, as a fact, does not matter at all, since there were de facto two Cubes, in one the elite lived beautifully and comfortably, and in the other the most necessary things for life were not available ".
In 1960, a massive nationalization of the private sector was carried out. Cuba currently has one of the most state-owned economies in the world. In the second half of the 1960s. the government has tried to move away from central planning in favor of sectoral planning and is shifting to experiments involving moral incentives and widespread use of free forced labor. The decline in production levels and the avoidance of forced labor forced a return to Soviet-style central planning. In the 1970s - 80s. with the help of the countries of the socialist bloc in Cuba, the basis of the industry is being created.
After the collapse of the USSR, purchases of Cuban sugar were reduced and economic aid was terminated. For 1989-1993. Cuba's GDP fell by a third. The economic collapse was avoided by opening the country for foreign capital in industry and tourism.
Venezuela (Hugo Chavez is a personal friend of Fidel Castro) provides Cuba with cheap oil; Cuba provides medical care to Venezuela.
According to official data, in 2006 GDP growth was 12.5%. According to the CIA handbook, in 2007 real GDP growth was 7%.
The main branch of the Cuban economy is the sugar industry. The capacities of the sugar factories of Cuba are capable of processing 670 thousand tons of sugar cane per day (production of 9-9.5 million tons of sugar per year). In the past, the industry has developed extensively thanks to the support of the CMEA.
The Cuban government creates free economic zones (FEZ) in order to attract foreign investment. In 1996, a law was adopted on the procedure for the creation and functioning of free economic zones. The term of the concession for the right to operate in the FEZ is 50 years. In 1997, three FEZs began to operate (Mariel, Havana City and Wahai).
Exports ($ 3.8 billion in 2008) - sugar, nickel, tobacco, seafood, medical products, citrus fruits, coffee. The main export partners are China (28%), Canada (25%), Spain (6%), the Netherlands (5%), Iran (4%).
In November 2004, during a visit to Cuba by Chinese President Hu Jintao, an agreement was reached that China would invest $ 500 million in Cuba's nickel industry. In January 2008, Brazilian President Lula da Silva and head of the state oil company Petrobras, Jose Sergio Gabrielli, who visited Cuba, announced their intention to invest $ 500 million in the exploration of Cuban hydrocarbon deposits in the Gulf of Mexico and the construction of a plant for the production of technical oils in Cuba.
Cuba imports ($ 14.5 billion in 2008) - oil products, foodstuffs, industrial equipment, chemical products. The main import partners are Venezuela (31.5%), China (11.8%), Spain (10.6%), Canada (6.7%), USA (6.6%).
Cuba's banking system consists of the Central Bank, 8 commercial banks, 13 non-bank financial institutions, 13 representative offices of foreign banks and 4 representative offices of foreign financial institutions. There are 2 types of currency in Cuba. Cuban citizens receive black and white Cuban pesos, foreigners receive colored (convertible) pesos when exchanging currency. Western media reported on the currency manipulation of the top Cuban leadership and the family of F. Castro.
Since 1962, a rationing system has been operating in Cuba, products are issued according to the same standards for the whole country. According to Cuban experts, at present, the population receives from 40 to 54 percent of the minimum required calories from food distributed by ration cards. Milk is given free by the state to children under 6 years old or purchased by the population on the market. During all the post-revolutionary years, there was a black market in Cuba. A number of goods, the distribution of which by cards is carried out irregularly or intended only for beneficiaries, are still purchased on the black market.
In 2008, Cubans were allowed to buy cell phones, computers and DVD players, as well as 19-inch and 24-inch televisions, electric pressure cookers and e-bicycles, car alarms and microwave ovens (but only with convertible currency). The country has about 100 thousand registered cars, of which 60 thousand are old American cars that were on the island before the revolution.
According to the BBC broadcaster, there is an increase in prostitution and corruption in Cuba. The average monthly salary in Cuba is $ 12, but there are many government benefits. For example, workers are given free clothing. There is a system of free medical care and free higher and secondary education.
Foreign policy
Panama
August 23, 2004 - Panamanian President Mireia Moscoso announced the recall of the Panamanian ambassador from Cuba in response to a warning issued on August 22 by the Cuban Foreign Ministry about the readiness to sever diplomatic relations with Panama if its authorities pardon the criminals who were preparing the assassination attempt on Fidel Castro. At the same time, the President of Panama noted that the recall of the Panamanian ambassador from Havana does not mean a break in diplomatic relations between the two countries.
August 25, 2004 - The Cuban Ambassador to Panama, Carlos Zamora, left for his homeland at the request of the Panamanian authorities. Before leaving, he made a statement to the press in which he noted that “Cuba considers it its duty to achieve an exemplary punishment for the terrorists” who were preparing the assassination attempt on Fidel Castro. In March 2004, the Supreme Court of Panama sentenced six conspirators detained in Panama in 2000 to jail. The new President of Panama, Martin Torrijos, who took office on September 1, expressed the hope that the Panamo-Cuban conflict would be resolved on the basis of mutual “respect and common sense ".
Russia
From the very beginning of the revolution in Cuba, the attitude of the leadership of the CPSU towards the Island of Freedom was ambiguous, in a sense similar to the position regarding the SFRY. First, neither the Castro brothers nor their associates were formally Leninists. Their theoretical basis was limited to the legacy of Marx and Engels. Secondly, among other things, Cuba was fundamentally not a part of military blocs. Highly valuing freedom, Cuba since the Belgrade Conference (Yugoslavia, September 1-6, 1961) has been one of the most active participants in the Non-Aligned Movement. She joined the CMEA only in 1972.
January 21, 1964 - the USSR and Cuba signed a Long-Term Agreement on the supply of sugar to the USSR.
Relations between Cuba and Russia changed after the collapse of the USSR, which, in particular, was caused by the termination of economic aid to Cuba and the reduction of the Soviet (Russian) military presence on the island. Soviet military bases were established here in the early 1960s. Their existence was based on the agreement between the Soviet and American leaders, reached after the "Caribbean crisis" in 1962. In 2001, the last Russian military base in Cuba was closed, and all the remaining Russian troops were withdrawn from the Island of Liberty. Recently, since November 2008, there has been a revival of interest in building relations between Russia and Cuba, which are of an economic, political, scientific and social nature.
The United States owns the Guantanamo military base, located in Cuba. The Guantanamo military base is located in southeastern Cuba, occupied by the United States under a 1901 treaty, which the Cuban authorities later abandoned. In January 2002, a prison for suspected international terrorism was created at the base, where the first 20 people accused of participating in hostilities on the side of the Taliban were brought from Afghanistan.
With regard to Cuba in 1961, the United States imposed an embargo regime, any ties with Cuba were prohibited, US sanctions against Cuba continue to operate as of 2008; this blockade is regularly condemned by the UN General Assembly.
However, now the US share in Cuba's imports is 6.6% (in 2008).
In 1962, the US Department of Defense planned Operation Northwoods to prepare American public opinion for an armed invasion of Cuba and to overthrow the government of Fidel Castro. The operation was part of the operation Mongoose, developed by the US government on the initiative of President John F. Kennedy, directed against Cuba, and involved the implementation of terrorist acts with imaginary and / or real victims in the United States, Cuba and other countries, including hijacking planes, simulating hostile actions under a false flag. acts of terror organized by the state. However, Kennedy rejected the project.
In 2001, five Cuban agents ("Cuban Five") were sentenced to lengthy prison terms in the United States. According to them, they passed on information about the impending terrorist attacks against Cuba.
In 2006, a committee was set up at the US Department of State to develop US policy towards Cuba in the event of the death of Fidel Castro.
Participation in international organizations
Cuba is a member of the WTO and the World Customs Organization. Takes part in international agreements - the New York Convention on International Arbitration, the Paris Convention and the Madrid Protocol.
Health care
On the eve of the revolution, there were 6 thousand doctors in Cuba, that is, 1 doctor per 1000 people, which was equal to the indicators of France. However, unlike the developed countries, Cuba lacked a system of health insurance and cheap or free social medicine. Therefore, for example, the infant mortality rate was 100-110 per 1000, which corresponded to the level of the most backward countries of Western Europe - Spain and pre-war Italy.
Immediately after the revolution, about 3 thousand doctors left the country. However, this deficiency was made up by the organization of the medical education system.
The Cuban health care system is now considered one of the best in the world with extensive primary health care and scientific development programs. The CIA estimates for 2009 the average life expectancy in Cuba is 77.45 years. Cuba has the lowest infant mortality rate in Latin America. All medical services are free of charge.
Budgetary spending on health (2004): 5.5% of GDP.
Education
Cuba has a traditionally high educational level of the population. Since the beginning of the 20th century, there has been a system of state free 9-grade elementary education for children from 6 to 14 years old (the ninth grade was optional, the rest are compulsory). In 1932, elementary schools (state and church) were attended by 90% of school-age children. In 1951, 22% of the adult population was illiterate, which was lower than in Spain and pre-war Italy.
In 1961, a massive campaign to eradicate illiteracy began. As a result, in 1980 the number of illiterates was only 2%, and in 1990 Cuba became a country of continuous literacy. A public secondary and high school was created. During the 60s, the number of students doubled (from 717 thousand to 1.5 million) with a population growth of 1-2% per year. In total, counting all stages of education, the number of people covered by them has tripled.
Currently, there is a compulsory 9-grade education in Cuba (the secondary is 12-grade education). There are 50 centers of higher education. Education for all levels is free.
The main educational institution of the country is the University of Havana, located in different parts of the capital. Until 1999, Russian was taught there as the main foreign language (faculty of the Pais brothers). The work of this faculty was supervised by the CMO of Moscow State University. After 1999, English became that language. Other universities in Cuba: Agrarian University of Havana.
Budgetary spending on education (2002-05): 9% of GDP.
Culture
Painting
Independent Cuban painting emerged only at the end of the 19th century. In the 1930s, artists who traveled to Europe got acquainted with contemporary artistic trends there and brought them to Cuba. Thus, Marcelo Pogolotti used Cubism to create images on themes related to the poverty of the Cuban people. The most famous Cuban artist, Wifredo Lam, painted in a surreal style. Mario Carreño was greatly influenced by the work of Mexican muralists. Jorge Arche is known for his portraits that are similar in style to those of other Latin American artists of the 1930s.
The science
Illiteracy was virtually eradicated in Cuba in 1961. Education here is free at all levels - from elementary grades to higher education - and compulsory until the end of the nine grades. All graduates of primary, secondary, upper secondary and technical schools are guaranteed the opportunity to continue their studies, and graduates of higher educational institutions are guaranteed the right to work. Since 1959, higher education in Cuba has become accessible to everyone. Now there are about 700,000 people with higher education in the country. Out of every seven Cuban workers, one holds a university degree.
There are about 9,500 primary schools, about 2,000 secondary schools and 48 higher education institutions in the country. The school is considered a basic cultural institution.
More than 170 research institutes operate in Cuba.
After the victory of the Revolution to this day in Cuba, about 630 thousand people graduated from higher educational institutions in various specialties, and millions received secondary education. The illiteracy rate (among the population aged ten and over) is 3.8 percent.
There are 1,115 kindergartens in the country, attended by 145.1 thousand children. 135 thousand working mothers use kindergarten services.
The total number of primary school students - 1,028,900; children of secondary school students - 778,000; students of higher educational institutions - 127 thousand. The system of secondary and higher evening and correspondence education covers more than 100 thousand people.
Cuba has 9,487 primary schools, 1,943 secondary schools and 48 higher education institutions. For every thousand inhabitants, there are a total of 17.8 teachers. Education is allocated 9 percent of GDP. The country allocates significant funds for research, in particular related to human health, in the field of biotechnology and genetic engineering, the production of vaccines and numerous medicines; the results of these studies have received universal recognition. All this became possible due to the existence of significant human resources, including highly qualified specialists trained within the framework of the national education system.
Cuba also ranks 4-5 among Latin American countries (and 51st in the world) according to the UN classification in terms of Human Development.
Religion
In Cuba, the church is separated from the state, and the Cuban Constitution guarantees the population freedom of religion. The most widespread religion is Catholic.
Despite the peculiarities of socialism as a socio-political system that has dominated the country for many decades, Cubans are quite religious. Even members of the Cuban Communist Party are not prohibited from attending churches. Catholic churches exist throughout the country. Even after the victory of the revolution, masses are held daily and solemn services are held on national or local religious holidays.
With the arrival of black slaves on the island, various beliefs of African descent spread. Over time, three main currents were formed from them, which exist and are still popular. These are Regla de Ocha (Spanish Regla de Ocha) or Santeria (Spanish Santeria), Las Reglas de Palo (Spanish Las Reglas de Palo) and La Sociedad Secret Abacua (Spanish La Sociedad Secreta Abacua). As a result of the historical process, a mixture of Catholic dogmas and African cults has also formed. For example, the Most Pure Virgin of the Merciful of Cobre is considered by the Catholics to be the patroness of Cuba. In Santeria, she bears the name Ochun.
In recent years, Protestant churches have begun to emerge, especially in the provinces.
Sport
Sports in Cuba is available to everyone, and this massiveness of it allows us to constantly replenish national teams in various sports, which brought important world and Olympic awards to the small Caribbean island. Cuba is home to world famous athletes. Sports include baseball, boxing, athletics and volleyball.
Military establishment
The Cuban Army (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias - FAR) is the main armed formation of Cuba, providing its national defense.
Cuba's constitution states that the country's president is the supreme commander in chief and determines the structure of its army.
The Cuban Army includes the following units:
Ground troops
Navy
Air Force and Air Defense.
The Cuban Army is under the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief Raul Castro.
The daily newspaper of the Island of Liberty, Granma, bears the name of the yacht of the same name, on which a group of revolutionaries led by Fidel Castro landed in Cuba to carry out a guerrilla struggle against the Batista regime. The newspaper is the official conductor and popularizer of the policies pursued by the Cuban Communist Party (CCP). Once a week for english language "Granma Internacional" is released. Also, the press of Cuba is represented by such publications devoted to the problems of economy, tourism, finance, culture, politics, as "Opciones", "Bohemia", "Juventud Rebelde", "Trabajadores".
Republic of Cuba
Date of creation of an independent state:December 1, 1898 (declaration of independence); January 1, 1959 (victory of the Cuban Revolution)
Area:110.9 thousand sq. km
Administrative divisions:14 provinces and 1 special municipality (Juventud Island, other name - Pinos Island)
Capital:Havana
Official language:spanish
Currency unit:pesos
Population:11.38 million (2006)
Population density per sq. km:160.9 people
Share of urban population:75 %
Ethnic composition of the population:predominantly Cubans (over 95%)
Religion:dominates Christianity; syncretic Afro-Christian cults also persist
Basis of the economy:sugar production
Employment:in the service sector - St. 60%; in agriculture - St. thirty %; in industry - approx. ten %
GDP:44.5 billion USD (2002)
GDP per capita:3.9 thousand USD
Form of government:unitarianism
Form of government:socialist state; republic
Legislature:unicameral parliament
Head of State:
Head of the government:chairman of the Council of State
Party structures:one-party system
Fundamentals of government
The Republic of Cuba after numerous upheavals at the end of the twentieth century. managed to preserve the socialist statehood. The country has the Basic Law, adopted on February 15, 1976 after discussion at a popular referendum and entered into force on February 24, 1976. This is the fifth Constitution since the declaration of independence of Cuba (the previous one was adopted in 1959), the preamble states that its the goal is to consolidate the victory of socialism in the country. The 2002 amendment consolidates the provision on the unshakable character of the socialist system. Amendments to the Constitution (it consists of fifteen chapters and one hundred thirty-seven articles) were also made in 1978 and 1992.
The head of state is the chairman of the State Council, who is elected by the National Assembly, and he is also the head of government.
Legislative power is vested in a unicameral parliament - National Assembly.The National Assembly is composed of six hundred and fourteen deputies who are elected by popular vote for a term of five years. The right to vote belongs to persons who have reached the age of sixteen, and the right to become a deputy belongs to all eighteen-year-old citizens of the country.
The National Assembly forms State Council -the highest governing body of the country. He represents the National Assembly between sessions, implements its decisions and performs other functions defined by the Constitution. In its activities, the Council of State is fully accountable to the National Assembly. The State Council has thirty-one members.
Members of the National Assembly elect a head of state (president) who is simultaneously head of the Council of State, head of government, and leader of the only permitted party, the Cuban Communist Party (CCP).
The highest executive body is Council of Ministers.Its members are nominated by the President of the Council of State and approved by the National Assembly. (According to the laws of the country, only members of the National Assembly can apply for top leadership positions, including the presidency.)
After the victory of the Cuban Revolution in January 1959, the presidents were M. Urrutia (interim) and O. Dorticos Torrado, but in fact the country was led by Fidel Castro Ruz, who from February 1959 served as head of the Revolutionary Government.
In July 2006, after a complex proctological operation, seventy-nine-year-old F. Castro temporarily transferred all his powers to his younger brother Raul (born in 1931), who served as First Deputy Chairman of the State Council, First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Second Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Minister defense of the country. Six months later, F. Castro first announced his possible resignation, but it was assumed that he would return to governing the country before the upcoming parliamentary elections.
According to the results of the elections, which took place on January 20, 2008, both Raul and Fidel Castro (they ran in different constituencies) overcame the fifty percent barrier and entered parliament. F. Castro won 98.2% of the vote, while his brother - 99.3%.
And yet the event, which it was not customary to talk about in Cuba, took place: on February 19, 2008, the permanent head of state for almost half a century announced that he was resigning from his post. Addressing the people on the pages of the Granma newspaper, he said: "I will not apply for and will not accept the post of Chairman of the State Council and Supreme Commander in Chief."
Local state power is exercised by provincial and municipal assemblies, elected by general suffrage. The term of office of the provincial bodies is five years, of the municipal bodies - two and a half years. To help maintain public order in the localities after 1960, committees for the defense of the revolution were established and are still in operation.
Judicial system
Cuba's judicial system is led by Supreme People's Court.
The Supreme People's Court implements legislative initiative, issues judicial regulations, etc.
Direct control over compliance with the law is carried out State Attorney's Office,which reports to the National Assembly and the Council of State.
Local prosecutors are independent from government agencies and subordinate to the State Prosecutor's Office.
Each province has its own provincial courts (audiences), courts of first instance, municipal courts, etc., elected by the Supreme Court.
Leading political parties
There is one party in the country - Communist Party of Cuba(PDA). It was founded in August 1925 at the 1st National Congress, held in Havana, as a result of the unification of the left Workers' Socialist Party of Cuba(RSPK; created in 1904) and various communist circles. In 1926, the CCP was outlawed and worked underground until mid-1938. In 1939, in the block with Revolutionary Union of Cuba(RSK; established in 1938) The CPC took part in the elections to the Constituent Assembly and won six seats. In 1940, the RSK leadership decided to merge with the CPC; the updated party was named Revolutionary communist unionRKS. In January 1944 RKS was renamed to People's Socialist Party of Cuba(NSPK). In November 1953, under the dictatorship of RF Batista-i-Saldivar, the activities of the NSPK were banned. As a result of the victory of the Cuban Revolution of 1959, the NSPK actually came to power. The activities of the opposition NSPK parties were terminated, and three organizations loyal to the new regime ("July 26 Movement", "March 13 Revolutionary Student Directorate" and the People's Socialist Party) were merged into United Party of the Socialist Revolution of Cuba(EP-SRK), which in October 1965 was renamed the Communist Party of Cuba. According to the Constitution, the party plays a leading role in society. Trade unions, youth, women and all public organizations operate under her control. The official program of the CPC was adopted at the III Congress in 1986. The IV Congress, held in 1991 under the conditions of the collapse of the socialist system, spoke in favor of economic reforms while maintaining command positions for the state and endowed the CPC Central Committee with extraordinary powers. The V Congress of the CPC (1997) confirmed that the historical goal of the party at the present stage is the completion of the building of socialism, and its ultimate goal is the building of a communist society. One-party system was recognized as "the fundamental principle of the Cuban revolution." Earlier, in 1985, Cuba passed a law on associations. In accordance with it, the Cuban Party for Human Rights, the Social Democratic Party of Cuba and others made an attempt to register, but all of them were refused.
Chairman of the State Council
Since February 2008 - Raul Castro Rus
This text is an introductory fragment. From the book Secret Wars of the Soviet Union author Okorokov Alexander VasilievichCUBA. 1953-1992 Brief historical and geographical information The Republic of Cuba is located on the islands of Cuba (104 thousand sq. Km). Pi-nos (2.2 thousand sq. Km) and more than 1600 small islands in the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. Until 1898, the territory of Cuba was
From the book Petersburg in street names. The origin of the names of streets and avenues, rivers and canals, bridges and islands author Erofeev AlexeySTREET SANTIAGO DE CUBA This street runs from Northern Avenue to Lunacharsky Avenue. Initially, on July 15, 1974, it was named Hospital Lane, because the entire odd side of the street is occupied by hospital buildings (Clinics of deep mycoses and Regional
From the book Encyclopedia of Special Services author Degtyarev KlimCuba: the secret army of Liberty Island The country's intelligence system: General Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior (Dirección General de Inteligencia (DGI); General Intelligence Directorate Ministry of the Interior); Military Counterintelligence Directorate of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (under the Ministry
From the book of Aphorisms the author Ermishin OlegCuba José Julian Martí (1853-1895) writer, thinker If the freedom of tyranny is terrible, then the tyranny of freedom is disgusting, shocking, frightening. The most difficult profession is to be human. Suffering is the result of the discrepancy between the desired and the achieved. Someone who does not
From the book Great Soviet Encyclopedia (SA) of the author TSB TSB From the book Great Soviet Encyclopedia (KU) of the author TSB From the book Great Soviet Encyclopedia (KU) of the author TSB From the book Great Soviet Encyclopedia (KU) of the author TSBCUBA Hurricane Flora, September 30-October 9, 1963 Hurricane Flora, which raged in Cuba for 10 days, from September 30 to October 9, 1963, killed over 1,000 people and left 175,000 homeless. Heading to Haiti, he killed 5,000 people there and left 100,000 homeless. * * * Hurricane paths can be
By Davis Lee
CUBA AND FLORIDA Havana, Florida, October 13, 1944 With an “eye” 112 kilometers across with winds reaching speeds of 270 kilometers per hour, a deadly hurricane hit Cuba and killed hundreds of people. * * * Strange Hurricane Havana-Florida "Originated in the Colombian
From the book Natural Disasters. Volume 2 by Davis LeeCUBA Santa Cruz del Sur, November 9, 1932 A hurricane with wind speeds of 340 kilometers per hour destroyed half of the population of Santa Cruz del Sur (Cuba), which was 2500 people. This happened on November 9, 1932 * * * The captain of the ship, which was stationed off the coast of Cuba on November 9, 1932,
From the book Memo to Citizens of the USSR Traveling Abroad author author unknownRepublic of Cuba Consular Section of the Embassy: Havana, Vedado, st. 8, 306, between st. 13 and st. 15, tel. 360-18, 339-34. Consulate General: Santiago de Cuba, Vista Alegre, st. 4, 202, corner on st. 7, tel. 423-46 Consulate General: Cienfuegos, Buena Vista, Avenida 64, 11103,
Cuba, also known worldwide as "Freedom Island", is located in the northern part Caribbean and is a large-scale island archipelago belonging to the Greater Antilles group. The country is located at the junction between the North and South America, in its geographical shape a little resembling a lizard, whose tail is located in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and the body, together with its head, is turned towards the Atlantic Ocean.
Features:
Cuba is considered one of the most picturesque and picturesque places on the planet. The majestic mountain ranges of the Cordillera de Guaniguanico, Escambray and Sierra Maestra, gracefully combine with flat terrain, dense tropical forests and grandiose waterfalls, thus forming a unique landscape appearance of the republic. Large islands teeming with white sandy beaches are surrounded by numerous coral reefs and small islands that gracefully complement the unique seascapes. Today, Cuba is ruled by the national Communist Party, and the executive power is concentrated in the hands of the head of state, who simultaneously acts as the secretary general and the chairman of the Council of Ministers. The main export commodities are sugar and nickel. Famous Cuban cigars are traditionally in great demand in the West.
The general standard of living of the population in the state is quite low, although, like in many other countries of South and Central America, there is a large difference in income between the elite and ordinary citizens. Health care and infrastructure are poorly developed, which is seriously affected by the US embargo against the republic. On the other hand, serious attention is paid to education on the island, the level of which is considered here one of the highest in Latin America. The main religion in the country is Catholicism. The ethnic composition is extremely diverse. Representatives of almost all continents live in Cuba. The total percentage of the white population is slightly over 60%. One of the main reasons for the discontent of many islanders in relation to the current government is the fact that for local residents who want to leave their homeland, a special permit is required, which is not so easy to obtain. Since there is a communist system in the country, many elements of everyday life and features of the state structure here are similar to the Soviet models of the second half of the last century, including free milk and the sale of products by cards.
general information
The area of \u200b\u200bCuba is nearly 111 thousand square meters. km, with a population of about 11 million people. The official language is Spanish, but some residents, especially in the resort areas, speak English fluently. The national currency is the peso (CUP); convertible pesos (CUC) are used for settlements with foreigners. 100 CUC \u003d $ CUP: USD: 100: 2. Euros are also accepted, but American dollars, to put it mildly, are not popular. Local time lags behind Moscow by 7 hours in summer and 8 hours in winter. The time zone is UTC − 4 in summer and UTC − 5 in winter. Mains voltage 110 V @ 60 Hz, A, B. Telephone country code +53. Internet domain.cu.
A brief excursion into history
For Europeans, Cuba was discovered by the famous Spanish navigator Christopher Columbus in the fall of 1492. Colonization of the island proceeded in parallel with the regular opposition of the local population, represented by the Taino Indians. In the second half of the 19th century, a large-scale war for the independence of Cuba began, which lasted for 10 years, and in 1898, Spain was defeated by the US army during the Spanish-American confrontation, after which American influence spread here. At the beginning of the 20th century, the country gained the long-awaited independence, which later turned into the dictatorial regime of Gerardo Machado y Morales, and then Fulgencio Batista. In the summer of 1953, the Cuban Revolution broke out, one of the main organizers of which was the future Prime Minister of the country, Fidel Castro. It ended 6 years later with the establishment of the communist regime. Agrarian reforms and widespread social transformations soon followed. Dissatisfied with the new policy, they were exiled to the United States without the right to return to their homeland. As in the USSR, severe sanctions were applied to the "enemies of the people." With the rise to power of Fidel's brother, Raul Castro, in 2008, the Cuban people gained more freedom, although in general the state system has not changed much.
Climate
The island is dominated by a tropical trade wind climate, and the average annual air temperature is from +25 to +28 degrees. From May to September, Cuba is the rainy season, which is characterized by prolonged tropical showers. Clear sunny days with high humidity prevail from October to April. On the coast, the heat is transferred much easier than in the interior of the island, due to the light winds blowing from the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The best time to visit Cuba is between November and April.
Visa and customs regulations
To travel to Liberty Island, a visa is not required for citizens of Russia, but it is necessary for citizens of Ukraine. Customs regulations include some restrictions on the export of cultural property, seashells, any antiques or precious metals from the country. When buying goods made of crocodile skin, you should acquire a license from the seller in order to avoid the seizure of the product during customs inspection at the border. It is interesting that no more than 50 Cuban cigars can be brought to Russia, but in this case, the Russian customs already acts as a restriction on the freedom of import.
How to get there
The most popular and visited resorts of the Liberty Island are, and. The most popular of them is Varadero. It is always noisy, bright and cheerful there. Magnificent sandy beaches framed by evergreen palms create a relaxed atmosphere, and numerous hotels, shops, restaurants and entertainment venues make your vacation as comfortable and varied as possible. Holguín and Santa Maria del Mar are not so crowded and are more suitable exclusively for a beach pastime. In general, the tourist centers of Cuba enjoy great attention from tourists. All beaches are municipal, equipped with the appropriate attributes and there is practically no local population on them. Hotels, mainly operate on an "all inclusive" system and are located on the first line.
For travel lovers, Cuba is a wonderful world with beautiful nature and architecture, rich in history, traditions and culture. The friendliness of the locals and the bright sun rays reflecting in the emerald waters of the Caribbean Sea bring an additional positive to the unique romantic atmosphere of the island.
Accommodation
A popular tourist destination in Cuba is Varadero, where there are expensive 4-5 * hotels with good territories and infrastructure, there are also more economical 3 * hotels in the resort, but do not be surprised if you see huge cockroaches there. If you want to truly experience Cuba, it is best to stay at the Casa Particular, which is significantly cheaper than a hotel and provides local flavor. In general, in Cuba, every city and village has good city hotels with its own charm.
Kitchen
Widespread in Cuba, Creole cuisine includes an abundance of different national culinary creations, including pork, chicken and vegetables, seasoned with an impressive amount of spices. The delicacies are dishes made from crocodile or turtle meat, as well as turtle eggs. True gourmets should definitely try such national drinks as mojito, cuba libre or daiquiri. Restaurants and cafes are represented in the resorts and in the capital Havana, while in the provincial areas, there are only catering establishments and small eateries.
Shopping
In shops, souvenir shops and markets, there are numerous souvenirs from crocodile skin, turtle shell and black coral. Tourists often buy Cuban cigars, coffee and rum, as well as T-shirts, dishes and other products with images of the leaders of the national liberation movement, Fidel Castro and Ernesto Che Guevara, applied on them.
Precautionary measures
Cuba is a safe country, you can safely walk the streets at night. The police are efficient and competent enough. The only thing is to always check the change that you are given when paying for services, in stores, etc., such cases are often calculated. Women are advised to stick to more discreet dress code so as not to attract undue attention from men.
Liberty Island Cuba is a legendary country, about which, with all its flavor, we do not know so much. Meanwhile, this island is rich in its history, culture and incredible life experiences. Time in Cuba stopped about three decades ago. And you still have the opportunity to see the world of the past.
What is Cuba on the map
In the north of the Caribbean Sea, there is a very interesting, original and uniquely memorable country, the Republic of Cuba. It covers not only the central island, but also several smaller ones. Divided into 16 provinces, it also includes the municipality of Juventud Islands. No matter how large the area of \u200b\u200bCuba may seem, its population is about 11.3 million people.
The state is a member of the United Nations Organization and the World Trade Organization. The dominant Communist Party is in charge of politics. The flag of Cuba is painted in white, blue and red colors. Three blue stripes symbolize the Spanish parts of Cuba, two white stripes - independence, a red triangle - equality, and a star - freedom.
Cuba covers a total area of \u200b\u200b110,860 square kilometers and a length of 1,250 kilometers. The state borders on the USA, Mexico, Jamaica and the island of Haiti. The climate here is tropical, with temperatures ranging from 22 to 30 degrees Celsius.
Where the name of the Island of Freedom came from is not fully known. It is believed that the word "Cuba" came from the Taino Indians, who called the island "a beautiful place". And some historians say that the island of Cuba was named Columbus after the village of the same name in Portugal.
History of Cuba
Cuba has gone through a difficult path during its formation. These lands have seen a lot of revolutionary action. The first civil uprising took place back in 1823, when the locals decided to fight for an independent Spain. From 1868 to 1878, battles were fought here during the Ten Years War for the Independence of the Cuban People. This was followed by a number of revolutionary leaders who introduced their own rules and principles of government to Cuba.
The well-known Fidel Castro came here in 1953. It was with his activities that the Cuban Revolution began, which opposed the ruling dictator Batista. When he fled the island, the "left" revolutionaries took over the leading position. But the optimistic trend did not last long, as repressions soon began in Cuba. Castro feared dangerous US influence and began to actively cooperate with the Soviet Union.
It was this, the largest state at that time, that supported Cuba materially and financially. But when Perestroika began in the Union, relations changed. And Cuba itself has lost its former power. Money was scarce, jobs were scarce. Stability was achieved only by 1994.
The Church in Cuba operates according to its own rules, because everyone here has the right to their own religion. Mostly they profess Catholicism. But sometimes there are examples of Protestantism and African worship, which are built on the sacrifice and worship of various pagan gods.
They say that here it is mainly in Spanish, but you can hear both English and Italian. In certain regions, Dutch, German and various local dialects are spoken.
Cuba and its cities
The capital of Cuba, the city of Havana, is tourist center and one of the largest in the country. Its total area is almost 727 square kilometers, on which there are 15 municipalities. Havana received the status of the capital in 1902, and at the moment it is the cultural, economic and political center of the country.
There are many museums in the city, in particular the Colonial, the National, the Jose Marti house-museum and the Museum of the Revolution. Also here you can see many old restored houses of the XVI-XVIII centuries. Also opened is the house-museum of the great writer Ernesto Hemingway, who was impossibly in love with Cuba.
The second largest and most important city in Cuba is Santiago de Cuba. It was built and inhabited at the beginning of the 16th century, and until 1556 served as the capital of the state. Here, as in the capital, a lot of museums were opened: ethnographic, municipal, natural history and others.
Tourists come to the south of Cuba to try their hand at recreational diving and see the San Pedro de la Roca del Morro fortress. By the way, it is in this city that the grave of the dictator Fidel Castro is located.
The city of Camaguey was built in the center of Cuba in 1514. The locals have suffered from pirate attacks for several decades, but over time, the area has changed. Surrounded by picturesque nature, the city is famous for its numerous attractions - the Ignacio Argamonte Museum, the Trabahadores and Soledad squares, and, of course, the Casino Campestre park.
How to organize an unforgettable vacation in Cuba
Despite the fact that Cuba is not the richest country, tourists will definitely have something to see here.
In the capital rises the bell-shaped Cathedral of St. Christoph, the building is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built from 1767 to the end of the 19th century; the frescoes by Giuseppe Perovani became the crown of the architectural creation. The bells are made of bronze mixed with silver and gold.
Be sure to take a stroll down the Prado in the capital, a promenade that separates the two regions of Havana. Noisy and colorful Cuban weddings take place here, because the Wedding Palace is located on the boulevard. A large hotel "Sevilla" was built for tourists, and the old Capitol tower rises nearby. Walking along the boulevard in the evening, you will certainly see the Bolshoi Theater and Central Park. Walk a little more and you are on the Malecon embankment.
Scenic and one of the largest parks, the Sierra del Rosario, can be seen if you get to the Rosario ridge. The large park is a protected area with a length of 250 kilometers. This land is home to a tropical forest with over 800 plant species. At the moment, the park is of particular natural value for UNESCO
And, of course, you cannot come to Cuba and not look into Hemingway's house. It was here that the writer lived almost until the end of his life. He was inspired by the unique seascape and fresh brackish air. Hemingway arrived in Cuba in 1940, but the house in which he settled was built at the end of the 19th century. Luxurious views, rum and national flavor inspired the author to write the legendary novel "The Old Man and the Sea".
In 1961, the writer passed away, and a year later, in tribute to his work, the Cuban authorities made a museum in his house. Everything here is preserved in the form that Ernest used to see. Even in the bedroom, on the desktop, they installed an exact copy of the typewriter on which the brilliant works were created.
Cuba is something unique
Such a different country is definitely not found anywhere in the world. And there are plenty of quirks on the Island of Freedom. Accustomed to prohibitions, repression and restrictions, Cubans have some other permissions. Surprisingly, the activities of Masonic lodges are still legal here. To this day, there is an organization of masons, including slightly less than 300,000 local residents.
But there are much more bans. For example, one of the strangest rules is the prohibition on catching and eating lobsters by locals. This product is considered exclusively for tourism and is grown or harvested by state monopolies. Locals are not entitled to this product. We are talking not only about lobsters, but also about lobsters. To tell the truth, this rule is of course violated. But it still remains within the law and implies a prison sentence of several years.
Photography in Cuba is a separate art form. But before you take the cherished picture, make sure it's legal. It is strictly forbidden to photograph administrative and military buildings, cars or any other place. There are a lot of KGB officers in all cities, but it's better not to risk taking photos or videos with them. If you are photographing locals or taking selfies with them, then first of all, ask permission. You will hardly hear a refusal, but if this happens, it is better to immediately erase the photo.
And the most popular entertainment in Havana is the Tropicana show. It features traditional cabaret with colorful Cuban costumes. The ticket price is 95 Cuban pesos, which includes a pass to the event, a glass of champagne, a can of Coca-Cola and a bottle of rum. Cabaret talks about the rich history of Cuba from the days of the Indians to the dictators of Castro.
Cuba and tourism
What does a tourist do when he gets tired of sightseeing or when a little less than a couple of hours are left before the plane? Of course she goes shopping!
The Caribbean coastline is rich in ocean sights and beauty. In local souvenir shops you can buy bracelets and turtle shell figurines. It will be interesting for musicians to bring a bongo, for fashionistas - a Guayabera shirt. Well, and where without the traditional portraits of Che Guevara, who look at tourists from T-shirts, cups, key rings and other things.
You are unlikely to have to buy groceries, but you will not be able to do it especially. In Cuba, everything is issued with coupons, and there are supermarkets for tourists. To tell the truth, there are only two large shopping centers in Cuba, and then in the capital.
What to try in Cuba?
Of course, drink a glass of rum and, if tastes permit, light a fragrant cigar and feel like Al Capone. Buying Rum in any city in Cuba is easier than finding a shop without a queue. Rum prices are minimal, but the quality matches the price. If you want to try a good cigar, then check out the Cigar Museum. This way you will learn more about this iconic item and buy a quality product for a relatively low price.
When it comes to restaurants, this is not the case. There are no large five-star restaurants with arches and butterfly waiters in Cuba. And even small cafes with three tables with a thatched roof are called a restaurant. But they cook quite tasty in all establishments. Seafood is widespread. The same lobsters and lobsters, which are relatively inexpensive here.
All about Cuba for tourists
To visit Cuba you will need. The Freedom Island Embassy receives Ukrainian tourists warmly enough, so the documents will be processed quickly. With such a visa, you can stay in the country for up to 30 days, and if the atmosphere of the island drags on for some more time, then the documents at the Ukrainian embassy will easily be extended.
Will cost you about $ 500-700. to Cuba ranges from 25 to 50 thousand hryvnia. The hotel will cost tourist town at about 1500 - 2600 hryvnia per day. In smaller cities, hotels cost about
1000 - 1500 hryvnia per day. You can give yourself a truly heavenly pleasure and rent a house, villa or cottage on the coast. This luxury will cost 800 - 2200 hryvnia per day.
There is one fact worth knowing about currency. There are two types of pesos in Cuba. The first one is designated as CUP, this currency is less colorfully printed and is intended for local residents. For tourists, the peso is designated, which is designated as CUC. This is the so-called convertible peso, which is 1:25 to the usual peso, respectively. Interestingly, any city in Cuba accepts both currencies. And the quirk still exists.
Video - 13 interesting facts about Cuba
As for money, it is also important to know that there are no terminals in the local stores. So you should always have cash with you. It is better to withdraw a large amount immediately from ATMs, because the commissions there are literally extortionate. Part of the amount should be kept close to you, and part should be left in the safe of the hotel or villa. Anyway, all valuable things should be kept with you. Theft rate is quite high in Cuba.
When taking photos, do not forget that posting pictures on Instagram will not be so easy. There is no Internet on a large scale in Cuba. You can use it only with a map in certain places. Or in the central districts of the city at the main post office. Or in a hotel, of course.
In Cuba, it is a separate world that cannot be compared with anything. Temperamental, emotional and to this day not discouraged Cubans will gladly share their experience with you from old memory. Ukrainians are usual guests in Cuba. Once upon a time, a tour to Cuba was organized for the children of Chernobyl. Now everything is getting better, but Cuba is still waiting for our fellow countrymen. The only thing left is to find out where Cuba is, order a visa, book a hotel and fly to a meeting for a sunny vacation.
Free economic zones were created. In 1997, there were already three FEZs in the country (Mariel, Wahai and the city of Havana).
Cuba exports, bringing income to the budget of its country, tobacco, seafood, sugar, nickel, medical goods, coffee, citrus fruits.
China, Canada, Spain and the Netherlands became Cuba's export partners. China has invested 500 million dollars in the Cuban nickel industry, Brazil - the same amount in the development of Cuban hydrocarbon deposits, in the construction of a plant for the production of technical oils. A large nickel ore mining plant has been built in the Holguin province.
The country imports today food, oil products, industrial equipment, and chemical products. Its import business partners are Venezuela, China, Spain. Particularly tight and productive ties in terms of the Petrocaribe oil program with Venezuela. The trade turnover between the states annually reaches about $ 10 billion.
Since 1962, the country has introduced a rationing system for the distribution of products. The "black market" is flourishing, as rationed products are not regularly issued here.
Cuba has a developed system of free public services: medical care, higher, secondary education.
Since October 2010, the list of types of entrepreneurial activities permitted by the government has increased in the country. In 2016, private small and medium-sized businesses were legalized.
Cuban branches of government
Cuba is a parliamentary socialist republic. Most of the deputies in parliament today represent the Communist Party of Cuba.
The head of state is the chairman of the Council of State (who is also the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba), who exercises executive power in the country. He is assisted by the chairman of the Council of Ministers, who is also the second secretary of the Central Committee.
The government of the Cuban state consists of two branches: the Council of Ministers and the Council of State. The ministry employs 31 ministers.
The supreme authority on Liberty Island is the National Assembly of People's Power, i.e. parliament of the republic. It includes 609 deputies who are elected for 5 years. She was entrusted with the formation of the government, the appointment of the head of the state council. The duties of the Assembly include the election of the People's Supreme Court. The provincial courts are elected by the provincial assemblies of the people's power, the municipal courts by the municipal assemblies.
The Republic of Cuba is administratively divided into 16 provinces, which are respectively divided into 169 municipalities. Only one municipality is accountable to the central government - Juventud, the rest are subordinate to local administrative structures.
Cuba's participation in international organizations
In recent years, having changed course in the political sphere, squeezed by economic sanctions, Cuba has become more active in influential international organizations.
The republic is a member of the World Trade Organization, takes an active part in international agreements: the Paris Convention, the New York Convention on International Arbitration, and the Madrid Protocol. Cuba is a member of the international organization of the ACP states. Cuba has been participating in social programs at the international level for several decades.
There are 57 Cuban professionals working in 101 countries, of which 70% are health workers. One of the Cuban programs "Operation Miracle" provides affordable medical care in 16 countries to poor seriously ill people. There is a “Yes, I Can” program in 28 Latin American states aimed at combating illiteracy.
Whichever direction Cuba goes, the beauty of its natural landscape, the originality of culture and the attractiveness of the Cuban mentality will remain unchanged.
