Cubatoday.com - Travel

Location

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, Florida

Area in total

110,860 sq km

Land boundaries in total

29 km

Border countries

US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 km
Note: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and thus remains part of Cuba

Coastline

3,735 km

Climate

Tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October)

Terrain

Mostly flat to rolling plains, with rugged hills and mountains in the southeast

Elevation extremes

Lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Highest point: Pico Turquino 2,005 m

Natural resources

Cobalt, nickel, iron ore, chromium, copper, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, arable land

Natural hazards

The east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to November (in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year); droughts are common

Geography - note

Largest country in Caribbean and westernmost island of the Greater Antilles

Population

11,346,670 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 19.6% (male 1,139,644/female 1,079,412)
15-64 years: 70.1% (male 3,977,110/female 3,975,818)
65 years and over: 10.4% (male 540,720/female 633,966) (2005 est.)
Median age: 35.36 years

Ethnic groups

Mulatto 51%, white 37%, black 11%, Chinese 1%

Religions

Nominally 85% Roman Catholic prior to CASTRO assuming power; Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, and Santeria are also represented

Language

Spanish

Independence

20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered by the US from 1898 to 1902)

National holiday

Independence Day, 10 December (1898);
Note: 10 December 1898 is the date of independence from Spain, 20 May 1902 is the date of independence from US administration; Rebellion Day, 26 July (1953)

GDP

$33.92 billion (2004 est.)

GDP per capita

USD 3,000 (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate

2.5% (2004 est.)

Government

Communist state

Capital

Havana

Head of State

President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers
'Fidel CASTRO Ruz'

Inflation rate

3.1% (2004 est.)

Major Trading Partners

Western Europe, Latin America, Russia, China, Iran & North Korea

Agriculture products

Sugar, tobacco, citrus, coffee, rice, potatoes, beans; livestock

Industries

Sugar, petroleum, tobacco, construction, nickel, steel, cement, agricultural machinery, pharmaceuticals

Currency

Cuban peso (CUP) and Convertible peso (CUC)

Internet country code

.cu

Internet users

120,000
Note: private citizens are prohibited from buying computers or accessing the Internet without special authorization; foreigners may access the Internet in large hotels, but are subject to firewalls; some Cubans buy illegal passwords on the black market, or take advantage of public outlets to access limited email and the government-controlled 'intranet' (2004)

Time zone

GMT/UTC -5

Dialing Code

53

Electricity

110V, 60Hz

Tipping

Moderate tipping is expected. However, as more foreigners pass through Cuba, many people who would not normally merit them have begun to demand tips. Some discretion may be required.

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Facts