Cuba

Cuba

Geography

Cuba is the biggest of over one thousand islands that make up the Carribean. It is situated a little south of the Tropic of Cancer. The surface area of the Archipels is bigger than that of the Isla de Pinos, and the Isla de la Juventud put together. In comparison to other islands, the surface of Cuba consists of many wide low lying areas that are separated by four chains of mountains.

A section of the Golf of Mexico also belongs to Cuba, whilst the north coast is on the Atlantic, and the Caribbean is on the south coast. The north coast consists of many rock formations, which are getting steeper and steeper due to the island rising. The south coast has many sandy beaches, mangroves and swampy areas and is rather flat.

The main part of the country consists of relatively monotonous areas that range between 0 and approx. 100 meters. In the areas where the soil is fertile, sugarcane is farmed. The barron soil has been used for years as pastural land.

Food

The meals in cuba are a combination of African, Caribbean and Spanish cusine. The spices used, and the methods of preparing the food have a lot in common with the Spanish and African ways of cooking. While the spices and the aromas come from the Caribbean.

Culture

Music and dance are an extremely important part of life on this Caribbean island. The main dances of Latin America stem from here, and the dancing traditions live on due to the enthusiasm of the people. Many rhythums and dances stem from the traditions bought in by the slaves from by gone years.

Literature also plays a very important role on the island, and gives the tourists an insight into the Caribbean way of thinking. Every week groups of individuals that are inspired by literature meet in culture centers to present and discuss their work. The American Ernest Hemingway, would have to be the most famous writer to spent 20 years of his life in Cuba.

Fauna and Flora

This Caribbean island has over 8000 different types of plants which makes it a natural paradise. Almost 20% of the country is covered with mahogany and pine trees. The Royal palm decorates the Coat of Arms and has the honour of being the official national plant of Cuba. It can grow to be between 40 and 50 feet in height. You will find many schrubs and trees that are rare and are threatened with extinction: the Fig tree with its roots above ground, the pre historical Cork palm, the Holly Cotton tree and the Butterfly Jasmine (symbolizing purity, rebelliousness and independence).

As far as the plants go, the island can be divided into two sections. The north coast is dominated by beautiful bays and beaches, whilst the south coast has developed into tropical swamp lands. The sheer variety that can be witnessed amongst the plant life enriches the impression every tourist will get from Cuba.

The 342 different species of birds that can be seen on the island, dominate the wildlife. The national bird is the Tocororo. In some national reserves and in some breeding areas you will find crocodiles... be careful! More than 700 different species of fish and sealife live in Cuban waters.

Cuba was discovered in 1492 by Christopher Columbus and was declared as being a Spanish colony. In the following years the indiginous folk almost completely vanished. This situation did not change until the middle of the 19th century.

In 1868 the Cubans began to rebell against the supression of colonialism. After two very unsucessful civil wars, America intervened. America did not have the interests of the Cubans at heart, they wanted to take over the country themselves. In 1902 the Republic of Cuba was declared as being under the control of America.

A further 50 years later, a fascist General by the name of Batista, established a dictatorship with the support of America, and began to terrorise the people.

In order to free themselves from this dictatorship and from the USA, the Guerrilla troups began to fight for freedom, lead by Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, and Camilo Cienfuegos.

In 1959 the Guerilla troups carried out an assault on the official residence of the Government Batistas. At this point, the USA had withdrawn, and the Batista could no longer count on their support. The consequences lead to Batista leaving the country and the Guerillas, with the support of the people, began to rebuild the country.

The biggest island in the Caribbean
Cuba is the biggest island in the Caribbean and belongs to the Antilles. The climate is tropical and is cooled by the prevailing north east trade winds. Generally the dry season is from November to April, whilst the rainy season lasts from May to October.
A US Marine base, the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, is on the south east side of the island. Cuba has very impressive landscape, especially for nature lovers. There is the Mogote Valley or the Biosphere reserve of the Las Terrazas.

Currency

The national currency is the Cuban Peso. The US-Dollar was finally rejected in November 2004. The currency accepted by all businesses is the Peso Convertible (CUC). The exchange rate is 1 CUC = 0.85 EUR at the moment. Be aware if you exchange US-Dollars to Peso Convertible you will be charged a 10% fee, which is not charged if you exchange another currency such as Euro, or Swiss Francs.

The CUC (Peso Convertible) can be attained in banks, at the reception desks in hotels, and in special exchange offices, or can be withdrawn from banks with a credit card. The Peso Convertible is valid as a method of payment for the Cubans themselves, as well as for tourists in shops, hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes, taxis, rent a cars and other businesses, that previously accepted the US Dollar.

In the holiday destinations of Varadero, Jardnes del Rey and in the northern regions of Holguín, it is possible to pay using the Euro. Most common international credit cards are also accepted in tourist centers, as long as they are not of American origin. In addition to credit cards and cash, travellers checks are also valid and can be exchanged for cash without any problems.

Please exchange your money at official offices or in hotels to avoid fraud or being cheated.

Enjoy life and relax in the sun
You will be greeted with hospitality by the Cubans all over the island, and their enthusiastic attitude to life is definitely contagious. They love music and grab every opportunity they can to dance the Salsa, Rumba or Cha-Cha-Cha with a passion to be admired. Rum and handmade cigars, are just as important in the life of the Cubans, as dance and music.
One of the most important tourist attractions would have to be the tropical beaches, a paradise on earth consisting of over 300 picture book beaches. The most popular being the Varadero beach in the north of the island. Here you can take part in one of the many watersport activities, or just relax on the beach and take in the sun.