cuba map and information page

Details

The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the European discovery of the island by Christopher Columbus in 1492 and following its development as a Spanish colony during the next several centuries.

Large numbers of African slaves were imported to work the coffee and sugar plantations, and Havana became the launching point for the annual treasure fleets bound for Spain from Mexico and Peru.

Spanish rule, marked initially by neglect, became increasingly repressive, provoking an independence movement and occasional rebellions that were harshly suppressed.

It was US intervention during the Spanish-American War in 1898 that finally overthrew Spanish rule. The subsequent Treaty of Paris established Cuban independence, which was granted in 1902 after a three-year transition period.

Fidel Castro led a rebel army to victory in 1959 and his iron rule has held the regime together since then. Cuba's Communist revolution, with Soviet support, was exported throughout Latin America and Africa during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.

The country is now slowly recovering from a severe economic downturn in 1990, following the withdrawal of former Soviet subsidies, worth $4 billion to $6 billion annually.

Cuba still portrays its difficulties as the result of the US embargo in place since 1961. Illicit migration to the US - using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, air flights, or via America's southwest border - is a continuing problem. In fact, the US Coast Guard intercepted 2,864 individuals attempting to cross the Straits of Florida in fiscal year 2006.

On Monday, February 18, 2008, Castro announced he was finally stepping down as President, and the future of Cuba now remains uncertain.

Quick Facts and Figures

Official Name Republic of Cuba

Population 11,822,800

Capital City Havana (2.3 million)

Languages Spanish

Flag and description here

Official Currency Cuban Peso

Currency Converter here

Religions Catholic, others

Land Area 110,860 sq km

Latitude/Longitude 21º 30N, 80º 00W

Maps and more...

Cuba Outline Map here

Cuba Large Map here

Cuba CIA Map here!

Caribbean page

North American Map here

Suggested Links

Cuba.com web site

Cuba Travel here

Cuba (Complete) information on the (GDP) overall economy, imports and exports, resources, government, population, military, transportation, and more here!

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