THE GEOGRAPHY (Foreign Office UK)
Area: 110,860 sq. km (42,803 sq. miles)
Population: 11.2 million
Capital City: Havana (population 2.2 m)
People: Ethnically mixed population
(white 66%; mixed race 22%; black
12%), Chinese 1%
Language: Spanish
Religion: The State is secular in Cuba;
the main religions are, Catholicism,
Santeria (an informal mixture of
Christianity and African religions
brought over by slaves), and
Protestantism.
Currency: Cuban Peso
Major Political Parties: Only party û
Cuban Communist Party or PCC (Fidel
CASTRO Ruz, First Secretary)
Government: Cuba has a one party
system of government and is the only
country in the Western Hemisphere
with a Communist government. Over
Forty years after the Cuban
revolution, Fidel Castro remains Head
of State and leader of the Communist
Party. The Vth Party Congress in
October 1997 reaffirmed the
Revolution's political direction and
named Raul Castro as Fidel's chosen
successor.
GEOGRAPHY
Cuba is the largest island in the
Caribbean, located between the
Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic
Ocean.
THE HISTORY (Foreign Office UK)
1492 Christopher Columbus lands on
Cuba, the start of Spanish occupation.
1762 British forces take control of
Havana.
1763 British hand Cuba back to the
Spanish.
1868-78 Ten Years War: Cuba loses to
the Spanish.
1895-8 War of Independence: End of
Spanish rule.
1902 Republic of Cuba is created.
1934-58 Fulgencio Batista effective
Head of State for 17 of these 25 years.
1959 Triumph of the Revolution. Fidel
Castro Ruz takes control.
THE ECONOMY (Foreign Office UK)
Basic Economic Facts (2000)
Nominal GDP (billion US$): 25.5 billion
(2001 est.)
Nominal GDP per head (US$): 2,150
Inflation rate: 0.5 % (2001 est.)
Main industries: tourism, sugar, nickel,
tobacco, and agriculture.
The Cuban economy has experienced a
gradual recovery since its 'freefall' in
the early 1990s. Following the collapse
of the former Soviet Union, Cuba's
preferential partner in trade and aid,
Cuba was forced to take tough
economic measures. These included the
legalisation of the use of hard
currency and of family private
enterprises, as well as reform of
agricultural production and land tenure
to permit more private ownership.
Overall, GDP now stands at about 85%
of its pre-1989 level and general living
standards are well above those
experienced in the most difficult days
of the so-called 'Special Period'.
Tourism is now a key foreign exchange
earner for Cuba, with about 2m
visitors a year bringing in $2bn dollars
in revenue.
Following both the effects of
Hurricane Michelle in November 2001
(the most damaging hurricane to hit
Cuba since the 1940s) and the
worldwide downturn in tourism after 11
September 2001, the Cuban economy
faces continued challenges in 2003.
Shortages of basic foodstuffs and
medicines, and poor public transport
are all still regular features of daily life
for ordinary Cubans. The national
average wage is roughly $10 a month at
real market prices. The state provides
basic rations of food; education and
health are free and by regional
standards, very good; utilities are
subsidised heavily and most, if they do
not 'own' their houses, pay little or no
rent. Nevertheless only those with
regular access to foreign currency -
through remittances, or by working or
providing services for foreigners -
can achieve a reasonable standard of
living and ownership of cars and
freedom to travel are extremely
limited.
The Cuban authorities remain firmly
committed to maintaining a planned
economy, but will continue to carry out
enterprise restructuring and to seek
foreign business participation.
Under the Foreign Investment Law
passed in 1995 (which allows 100%
foreign ownership in certain
circumstances), Cuba is actively
seeking foreign participation in
commercial activities. There are good
opportunities for establishing joint
ventures or other forms of
commercial association in Cuba,
although investors face practical
difficulties, and often need patience.
Through central planning and sacrifice,
Cuba has, for the region, an unusually
diversified economy - with world class
bioscience and promising informatics.
Other positive developments include
the introduction of free trade zones
and the re-structuring of the banking
sector, resulting in the formation of
the new Central Bank (both in May
1997). The Cuban Government is
committed to introducing market
elements. Salary scales now vary with
responsibility, dollar bonuses are
common and over 30% of land is
privately farmed. Private markets for
agricultural produce are increasing.
But a poor hard currency debt
situation, lack of medium and
long-term finance and a perception of
threat from the Helms/Burton
legislation remain significant potential
deterrents for foreign suppliers.
Flags Of The World: Republic of Cuba
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