Facts About Cuba | Cuban History | Map of Cuba

Introduction

Teacher Resources

Timeline

About Cuba

Activities

Glossary

Yalta

Citizen Kurchatov

Berlin Crisis

Facts About Cuba

Facts about Republic of Cuba

Geography

Area: 44,200 square miles; approximately equivalent in size to Pennsylvania

Capital City: Havana (population approximately 2 million)

Topography: Flat to rolling plains, hills, mountains rising to 6,000 ft.
in the southeastern part of the island

Climate: Tropical, but moderated by trade winds

People

Population: 11 million, largely urban

Ethnic Groups (based on Cuban census information): 51% mulatto,
37% white, 11% black, 1% Chinese

Language: Spanish

Literacy Rate: 95%

Government

Current Government: totalitarian state (since Revolution of January
1, 1959)

Head of State: Fidel Castro who is not only Chief of State, but Head
of Government, First Secretary of the PCC, and Commander in Chief
of the armed forces

Administrative Subdivisions: 14 provinces, including the city of
Havana, and one special municipality

Independence from United States: May 20, 1902

Political Party: Cuban Communist Party (PCC); one-party system.
The party monopolizes all government positions, including judicial
offices. Though not a formal requirement, party membership is
virtually a de facto prerequisite for high-level official positions and
professional advancement in most areas, although non-party
members are sometimes allowed to serve in the National Assembly.

Economy

Economy: state-controlled, most means of production owned and run
by the government, roughly 75% of the labor force also employed by
the state

Natural Resources: nickel, cobalt, iron ore, copper, manganese, salt,
timber

Agriculture: sugar, citrus and tropical fruits, tobacco, coffee, rice,
beans, meat, vegetables

Industry: sugar and food processing, oil refining, cement, electric
power, light consumer industry

Recent Reforms: In response to loss of Soviet economic support,
Cuba has introduced the following economic reforms:

• Expanded the tourist industry to the point that
  it surpassed sugar industry in mid 1990s
  
• Legalized the U.S. dollar in 1993 which
  resulted in a widening of the gap between
  those with dollars and those without
  
• Authorized some self-employment, still tightly
  controlled by taxation, contributing to the rise
  of a black market

Exports: $1.4 billion (1999 estimate): sugar, sugar byproducts,
nickel, seafood, citrus, tobacco products, rum; Markets: Russia, Netherlands, Canada

Imports: $3.2 billion (1999 estimate): petroleum, food, machinery,
chemicals; Suppliers: Spain, Venezuela, and Mexico

GDP (1999): Purchasing power parity — $18.6 billion

Real Annual Growth Rate (1999): 6.2%

Per Capita Income (1999): $1,700

Religion

Cuba is a multiracial society. Its population primarily includes people of Spanish and African origins. Although Cuba has officially been an atheist (since 1991 "secular") state since Castro came to power, the largest organized religion is the Roman Catholic Church. Afro-Cuban religions — blends of native African religions and Roman Catholicism, such as the Santeria religion mentioned in the videos — are also widely practiced in Cuba.

The Santeria religion, or La Regla Lucumi, originated among the Yoruba peoples of the area of West Africa now known as Nigeria and Benin. Members of the Santeria religion believe in a god known as the Olorun, who is the source of spiritual energy that makes up all life and all things material in the universe. Olorun interacts with the inhabitants of the world through representatives or emissaries called orishas. The orishas rule over every force of nature and every aspect of human life. They are approachable and can be counted on to come to the aid of their followers. Communication with orishas can be accomplished through ritual, prayer, trance possession, songs, divination, and offerings. The white dove that perched on Castro's shoulder during his speech would have been seen by many believers as a message from Olorun about Castro and his Revolution.

Human Rights Issues and Cuba

Although the Cuban constitution theoretically provides for independent courts, it explicitly subordinates them to the National Assembly and to the Council of State. The People's Supreme Court is the highest judicial body. Due process is routinely denied to Cuban citizens, particularly in cases involving political offenses. The constitution states that all legally-recognized civil liberties can be denied to anyone who opposes the "decision of the Cuban people to build socialism." This situation has led to several cases of what outsiders might consider injustice or human rights violations. Several human rights organizations are actively seeking changes in this system. Official U.S. policy also advocates democratic change, urging allies toward a democratic transition and respect for human rights in Cuba. The U.S. opposes Cuba's return to the Organization of American States, for example, until a democratic government and respect for human rights are guaranteed.