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. |
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