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GEOGRAPHICAL ENVIRONMENT
Cuba has a longitude of 1250 km and a coastline of 5746 km, along
which there is more than 300 natural beaches. Plains predominate
and there exists three mountainous groups: The mountain range of
Guaniguanico in the west; the mountain range Escambray in the center
and the Sierra Maestra in the eastern portion where Turquino Peak,
the highest elevation of the country is situated. This peak rises
more than 1974 meters above sea level. The Cauto River is the longest
river, 370km long and the Toa is the largest, both located in the
eastern region of the country.
CLIMATE
Tropical without being excessively so, refreshed by the gentle breezes
of the trade winds. Two seasons can be distinguished, the rainy
one (from May to October) and the dry one (from November to April).
Cuba has an average of 330 days of sun per year. The outside average
temperature: 25,5oC. January is the coldest month and July the warmest.
The average temperature of coastal waters: 25o C in winter and 28o
C in summer. The average relative humidity: 78%. The average annual
precipitation is 1515 mm and the months with lesser precipitation
are August and December.
FLAG
Each element of our national ensign has a special significance.
The triangle, because of its shape, is a clear allusion to the famous
triptych of the French Revolution, "liberty", "equality";
and "fraternity";. The single star, situated in the red
triangle is representative of the unity of the Cubans gained by
the blood spilt for the cause. The three blue stripes represent
the three departments into which the island was divided, West, Center
and East, and at the same time, because of its color, is indicative
of the altruistic aspirations of the Cubans to be free. The white
stripes represent the purity and the virtue of the Cuban people.
COAT OF ARMS
The coat of arms, symbol of the nation, describes as a whole our
homeland in any place of the world. It represents the geographical
and political importance of Cuba by means of a key that opens up
the entrance of the Gulf of Mexico, transversally placed between
the cape of Sable de la Florida and the Catoche of the Yucatan;
the sunrising signifies the young republic that emerges, the lower
section to your left is allusive to the stripes of the Cuban flag,
the section adjacent to the right represents a typical Cuban landscape.
Serving as support to the coat of arms is a bundle of eleven sticks
which symbolizes the union of the Cubans in the fight for liberty,
crowned by a Phyrigian cap, that together with the star in the center,
signifies liberty, while the red color represents the blood shed
to obtain this. Adorning the coat of arms, on your right, is a holm
oak branch, and to your left, one of laurel that represents strength
and victory.
NATIONAL FLOWER
The Butterfly Lily (Hedychium coronarium Koenig). White flower and
perfumed. It was a symbol of rebellion and purity during the wars
of independence.
NATIONAL BIRD
The Cuban Trogan (Priotelus lemnurus). Native specie. Its plumage
reproduces the colors of the national ensign. Indigenous name: Guatiní.
NATIONAL TREE
The Royal Palm ( Roystonea regia). Its profusion and symbolism is
of maximum significance to the Cubans.
LANGUAGE
The official language is Spanish.
FLORA AND FAUNA
Cuba has one of the richest island flowers in the world. More that
50% are endemic. Those that stand out are the royal palms, the coconut
palms, the sugar cane and the tropical fruits, among many others.
It has 900 different kinds of fish, 4000 mollusks and 300 kinds
of birds. Those that attract attention are the colored trogans,
flamingoes and parrots.
ECONOMY
Sugar cane and its industry is the fundamental base of the Cuban
economy. Other traditional crops are tobacco, citric fruits, coffee
and minor fruits.
Mining is a fundamental item, especially that of nickel, as Cuba
has the biggest deposits in the world under open sky.
The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries are developing and
have become a resource of exportation.
The fish industry is also important. Cuban shellfish and crustaceans,
such as lobster and prawns, enjoy great fame and international prestige.
Other important products are rum, honey and cocoa, just as are heat
resistant chrome, manganese, asphaltite and marble.
Under development, tourism as well weighs heavily in the national
economy.
The principal exports of Cuba are raw and refined sugar, nickel
oxide, fish and seafood, citric fruits, rum and alcohol, leaf and
handmade tobacco, marble, leather articles.
PUBLIC HEALTH
Cuba reckons with a health system considered to be unique in Latin
America, giving full coverage to the country.
Medical services are free to all Cubans.
It has the lowest infant mortality rate in Latin America and one
of the lowest in the world: 10,7 for every 1000 born live. The life
expectancy rate of Cubans is 75,2 years.
The country is amongst the only six in the world that produce interferon
(INF). It also produces the epidermal growth factor, a very efficient
healing cream for burns; the vaccine against Hepatitis B; theantimeningococica
type B vaccine (the only one in the world), and the recombinant
streptoquinase, a medicine that acts against myocardial infarcts.
In addition, medicines are produced against thromboembolism, weaknesses
in the immunological system, hypertension, cholesterol and some
forms of cancer.
EDUCATION
Education is free at all levels of instruction. There are no illiterates
in Cuba. There are universities or university faculties in each
province, as well as secondary teaching, specialized, polytechnic
and other institutes. The school term extends from September to
June.
CULTURE
During the last five centuries the Cuban culture has been able to
achieve its singularity, between two strong currents that nurtured
it: the African and the Spanish one.
In the XX century, it has attained its biggest splendor in manifestations
such as dance with the launch of the national school of ballet,
and fine art, with numerous painters famous in the main places in
the world. Strengthened, the actual Cuban literature continues a
tradition that has delivered its best fruits in poetry, essays and
narrative, with authors such as Alejo Carpentier, Cintio Vitier,
Dulce María Loynaz, Elíseo Diego, Fina García
Marruz, José Lezama Lima, Nicolás Guillén and
Virgilio Piñera, amongst the most notables. Music and cinema,
are the two expressions where the island¢s culture has reached
its biggest international popularity, by presenting a vital product
of perfect aesthetic value, through the work of Amadeo Roldán,
Alejandro García Caturla, Leo Brouwer, Harold Gramatges and
in the voice of singer-songwriters Pablo Milanés and Silvio
Rodríguez. Son, troubadours and even rock show that Cuba
possesses a special gift for music. The country is the crib for
rhythms such as danzón, bolero, mambo and the cha-cha. In
cine, with directors such as Tomás Gutiérrez Alea,
who died in April 1996, Humberto Solás, Juan Carlos Tabío,
Santiago Álvarez or Manuel Octavio Gómez, amongst
others, the country exhibits before the world an attractive and
captivating national cinematographic industry, in existence for
over 30 years.
SPORT
The National Institute of Sport, Physical Education and Recreation
(INDER) steer and promote the sporting activities in the country.
Cuba has become a powerful sport rival. It holds the world supremacy
in boxing and baseball. In volleyball and athletics it has obtained
important titles in first class competitions. The Caribbean island
hosts numerous international sport events. Cuba is ranked amongst
the top ten Olympic nations.
RELIGION
In Cuba there is total freedom of worship. The most extended religion
is the Catholic one. There exist numerous churches all over the
country where religious services are celebrated every day. The afrocuban
religions enjoy great popularity and are very deeply rooted. They
are a result of syncretism between pantheons of African origin and
catholic saints.
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