Facts
General Information
National Name República de Cuba, Republic of Cuba (short form Cuba)
National Anthem La Bayamesa
National Flag Known as 'The Lone Star Banner'
Total Area 110,860 sq km
Coastline 3,735 km
Capital Havana
Major Towns/Cities Santiago de Cuba, Camaguey, Holguin, Guantanamo, Santa Clara, Bayamo, Cienfuegos
Location Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Florida
Geographic Coordinates 21 30 N, 80 00 W
Weather/Climate Tropical; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October). Subject to hurricanes from August to October (averages about one hurricane every other year).
Physical Features Mostly flat, with mountainous terrain in the southeast. Lowest point, Caribbean Sea 0 m; Highest point, Pico Turquino 2,005 m. 3,735 km of coastline with deep bays, sandy beaches, coral islands and reefs. The Caribbean's largest country, slightly larger in size than England.
Government
Head of State & Government Fidel Castro (since 1959)
Government Type Communist State
Political Parties & Leaders One party, Cuban Communist Party (or PCC)
Administrative Divisions 14 provinces; Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Ciudad de La Habana, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, La Habana, Las Tunas, Matanzas, Pinar del Rio, Sancti Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, Villa Clara. 1 special municipality; Isla de la Juventud.
Independence 20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered by the US from 1898 to 1902)
Armed Forces 60,000 (1998), conscription mandatory for two years
Defence Spend (GDP) 5.3 (1998)
Education Spend (GNP) 6.7 (1997)
Health Spend (GDP) 6.3 (1997)
Economy
Currency Cuban peso (1 Cuban peso (Cu$) = 100 centavos)
GDP US$22.1 billion (1999)
Real GDP Growth (change on previous year) 6.2 (1999)
Consumer Price Inflation 0.5 (1999 est)
Unemployment 6% (1999 est)
Foreign Debt US$12 billion (1999 est)
Major Trading Partners Western Europe, Latin America, Russia, China, Iran & North Korea
Major Industries Sugar, minerals, tobacco, agricultural, medicine & tourism
Resources Iron ore, copper, chromite, gold, manganese, nickel, cobalt, silver, salt
Exports Sugar, minerals, tobacco, citrus fruits, fish products. Principal market Russia 21.7 (1998)
Imports Mineral fuels, machinery and transport equipment, foodstuffs, beverages. Principal source Spain 22.3 (1998)
Arable Land 34.3 (1996)
Agricultural Products Sugar cane (world's fourth-largest producer), tobacco, rice, citrus fruits, plantains, bananas, forestry & fishing
Financial Year Same as calendar year
Population
Population 11,141,997 (July 2000 est.)
Age Structure 0-14 years: 21% (male 1,221,602; female 1,157,846); 15-64 years: 69% (male 3,849,135; female 3,829,599); 65 years and over: 10% (male 503,711; female 580,104) (2000 est.)
Population Growth Rate 0.39% (2000 est.)
Birth Rate 12.68 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death Rate 7.31 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Life Expectancy total population: 76.21 years; male: 73.84 years; female: 78.73 years (2000 est.)
Population Density 101 per sq km (1999 est)
Infant Mortality Rate 7.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Language Spanish
Nationality noun: Cuban(s), adjective: Cuban
Ethnic Groups Mulatto (Mixed Race) 51%, White 37%, Black 11%, Chinese 1%
Religion Roman Catholic also Episcopalians and Methodists
Education (compulsory years) 6
Literacy Rate 97% men, 97% women (2000 est)
Labour Force 15.3% Agriculture, 23.0% Industry, 61.7% Services (1997 est)
Physicians 1 per 172 people (1998 est)
Hospital Beds 1 per 165 people (1993 est)
Television Sets 239 per 1,000 people (1997)
Radios 352 per 1,000 people (1997)
Internet Users 44.8 per 10,000 people (1999)
Internet Domain .cu
Personal Computer Users 0.7 per 100 people (1999)
Transport
Railways Total length 4,807 km
Roads/Highways Total: 60,858 km, paved: 29,820 km (including 638 km of expressway), unpaved: 31,038 km (1997 est.)
Waterways 240 km
Ports & Harbours Cienfuegos, Havana, Manzanillo, Mariel, Matanzas, Nuevitas, Santiago de Cuba
Airports International airports Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Holguin, Camaguey, Varadero. 11 domestic airports total passenger km 3,615 million (1997 est)
Other
Time USA Eastern Standard Time (GMT -05.00)
International Dialling Code +53
Visa Requirements Tourist visa required for entry/exit
Embassy in the UK 167 High Holborn, London WC1V 6PA. Tel (020) 7240 2488, Fax (020) 7836 2602
British Embassy Calle 34, 708 Miramar, Havana. Tel (7) 331 771, Fax (7) 338 104
Normal Office Hours 08:30-12:30 and 13:30-16:30 Mon-Fri. Some offices also open 08:00-17:00 on alternate Saturdays.
Banking Hours 08:30-1200 and 13:30-15:00 Mon-Fri. 08:30-10:30 Sat
National Holidays 1 Jan - Liberation Day (1959), 1 May - Labour Day, 25-27 Jul - Celebration of the National Rebellion (Rebellion Day, 26 July 1953), 10 Oct - Cuba Day (Celebration of Culture), 25 Dec - Since the Pope's visit in 1997, Xmas day has been observed as a national holiday.
Quirkies
10 things you may not have known about Cuba .....
1. Fidel Castro has reportedly survived over 600 assassination attempts.
2. Having been in power since 1959, Fidel Castro is the world's longest serving political leader.
3. The Cubans refer to their island as 'El Cocodrilo' - viewed from above Cuba is believed to resemble a crocodile.
4. Since 1959, Castro has refused to cash the cheques that America pays in rent for the base at Guantanamo Bay.
5. When Christopher Columbus first stumbled upon Cuba in 1492 he thought he had landed in China.
6. Despite being a world apart politically, Cuba is only 90 miles away from the US.
7. US law does not forbid US citizens to travel to Cuba - they're just not allowed to spend any money there! - effectively meaning a travel ban.
8. As well as producing some of the world's finest cigars - Cuba also has a knack of producing great sports stars, particularly in boxing, athletics and baseball.
9. In something of a paradox Cuba has one of the best health care systems in the world. The average life expectancy of around 76 years is comparable with that of the UK and US and one of its most successful exports is that of medical technology. Cuban scientists have developed vaccines for hepatitis-B and meningitis-B.
10. Approaching the age of 80, Castro has survived the Cold War, 9 US presidents and innumerable assassination attempts and no one is quite sure what will happen to Cuba when he eventually dies.