Indivisibilities Wiki - User contributions [en]

Cuba

2006-05-13T11:59:36Z

62.255.84.32:

<table border=1 align="right">
<tr>
<td colspan=2 align="center"> Cuba
<tr>
<td align="center">
 [[Image:CubaFlag_40_per_cent.jpg]] 
Flag
<td align="center">
[[Image:Cuba_coa_smaller.png]] 
Coat of Arms



<tr>
<td colspan=2 align="center"> Motto: Spanish: Patria y Libertad 
(English: "Homeland and Freedom")
<tr>
<td colspan=2 align="center"> Anthem: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Bayamesa La Bayamesa] (The Bayamo Song)
<tr>
<td colspan=2 align="center"> [[Image:LocationCuba.png]]

<tr>
<td> Capital <td>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havana Havana] 
23°8′N 82°23′W
<tr>
<td>Largest City <td>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havana Havana]
<tr>
<td>Official Language <td>Spanish
<tr>
<td>Government: 
President of the 
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_of_State_of_Cuba Council of State of Cuba:]
<td>Republic 
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fidel_Castro Fidel Castro]
<tr>
<td>Independence 
- Declared from Spain 
- Cuban Republic declared 
- Date recognised in Cuba
<td>
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Years%27_War Ten Years' War] 
October 10, 1868 
May 20, 1902 
January 1, 1959
<tr>
<td>Area - Total - Water (%)
<td>110,860 km² ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_and_outlying_territories_by_area 104th]) 
42,803 sq mi 
negligible
<tr>
<td>Population 
- 2005 est. 
- 2002 census 
- Density
<td> 11,345,670 ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_population 70th]) 
11,177,743 
102/km² ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_population_density 73rd]) 
264/sq mi 

<tr>
<td>GDP 
- Total 
- Per Capita
<td> 2004 estimate 
$33.9 billion ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_%28PPP%29 89th]) 
$3,000 ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_%28PPP%29_per_capita 126th])
<tr>
<td>Human Development Index 
<td> 0.817 ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_Human_Development_Index 52nd]) - high
<tr>
<td>Currency 
<td>Peso 
Convertible peso (see ~1~)
<tr>
<td>Time Zone 
- Summer (DST)
<td>EST 
(Starts April 1, end date varies)
<tr>
<td>Internet TLD
<td> .cu
<tr>
<td>Calling Code
<td> +53
<tr>
<td colspan=2 align="center"> ~1~ 1993–2004, the U.S. dollar was used in addition to the peso until the dollar was replaced by the convertible peso.
</table>

Check out the discussion board
==Cuba==

====Overview====

Known as the "Pearl of the Antilles", Cuba offers picturesque colonial towns, an Afro-Cuban culture, almost 300 unblemished beaches, great countryside, potent rum and excellent beer. Cuba is great for scuba diving, yachting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding and golf. Cuba has been described as a "fascinating smorgasbord of nonstop discovery and experience".

====Timing====
November is the start of the dry season in cuba. Temperatures are normally around 27 Celsius. We will also miss the peak tourist season (mid Dec. to mid-March, & all of July & August).

[[Image:Cuba_big.gif]]

====About Cuba====

Cuba is the largest Caribbean island [16th largest island in the world :-) ]. Of its 11m inhabitants, 60% are of Spanish descent; there are also substantial African and mixed-race minorities. Spain colonised Cuba in 1512 and decimated its indigenous population of Arawak Indians. In 1898 the US occupied the country, but relations soured in 1959 when the charismatic Fidel Castro came to power. The ban on US tourism has its advantages: apart from the coastal resort of Varadero the island remains non-commercial, and the people genuinely friendly. Well known for its musical culture, the rumba, mambo, cha cha cha, son and salsa all originated in Cuba. The Capital, Havana, founded on its present site in 1519, is one of the oldest cities in the Americas.

====Things to do, when in Cuba====

- smoke Cuban cigars

- take a ride in a Vintage american car

- stay in a 'casa particular' - a common phenomenon in Cuba - for locals to rent out a room or 2 of their houses for tourists, this is the best way to gain an insight into the country

- drink 'Mojitos' - 'just the ticket after a hard day on the beach, Cuba's quintessential cocktail, a refreshing concoction of rum, limes & mint'

==Havana==

The capital, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havana Havana], with its colonial architecture and ostentatious 50s and 60s cars, is the biggest Caribbean city (pop. approx. 2.2 million) and the hub of Cuban nightlife.

We will spend a good 2 or 3 days in Havana.

====Things to do in Havana:====

- Fabrica de Tobaco Partagas - famous Havana cigar factory, offers a fascinating insight into the skills behind cigar making and lays bare some idiosyncratic Cuban working practices.

- La Guarida restaurant - where the excellent food is matched by Baroque surroundings,

- Visit Habana Vieja (old Havana) - including a visit to Edificio Bacardi - A slice of dazzling art deco architecture, the Bacardi family's pre-revolution HQ is a fitting place for to enjoy a Cubre libre

==Other potential places to visit==

Maria La Gorda - approx. 5 hrs drive from Havana - this seems to be the best place in Cuba for scuba diving. And also, you don't have to know how to scuba dive already!

Varadero - Fantastic beaches, and also good for scuba diving

Trinidad - a world heritage site, the country's most perfectly preserved colonial city, and also close to the beach & mountains.

==Useful Links:==

For practicalities - health, visas, climate etc.
[http://travel.guardian.co.uk/countries/information/0,8766,420477,00.html The Guardian]

For geography, history & culture:
[http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761569844/Cuba.html Encarta]

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuba Wikipedia]

Cuba

2006-05-13T11:33:50Z

62.255.84.32:

<table border=1 align="right">
<tr>
<td colspan=2 align="center"> Cuba
<tr>
<td align="center">
 [[Image:CubaFlag_40_per_cent.jpg]] 
Flag
<td align="center">
[[Image:Cuba_coa_smaller.png]] 
Coat of Arms



<tr>
<td colspan=2 align="center"> Motto: Spanish: Patria y Libertad 
(English: "Homeland and Freedom")
<tr>
<td colspan=2 align="center"> Anthem: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Bayamesa La Bayamesa] (The Bayamo Song)
<tr>
<td colspan=2 align="center"> [[Image:LocationCuba.png]]

<tr>
<td> Capital <td>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havana Havana] 
23°8′N 82°23′W
<tr>
<td>Largest City <td>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havana Havana]
<tr>
<td>Official Language <td>Spanish
<tr>
<td>Government: 
President of the 
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_of_State_of_Cuba Council of State of Cuba:]
<td>Republic 
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fidel_Castro Fidel Castro]
<tr>
<td>Independence 
- Declared from Spain 
- Cuban Republic declared 
- Date recognised in Cuba
<td>
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Years%27_War Ten Years' War] 
October 10, 1868 
May 20, 1902 
January 1, 1959
<tr>
<td>Area - Total - Water (%)
<td>110,860 km² ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_and_outlying_territories_by_area 104th]) 
42,803 sq mi 
negligible
<tr>
<td>Population 
- 2005 est. 
- 2002 census 
- Density
<td> 11,345,670 ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_population 70th]) 
11,177,743 
102/km² ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_population_density 73rd]) 
264/sq mi 

<tr>
<td>GDP 
- Total 
- Per Capita
<td> 2004 estimate 
$33.9 billion ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_%28PPP%29 89th]) 
$3,000 ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_%28PPP%29_per_capita 126th])
<tr>
<td>Human Development Index 
<td> 0.817 ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_Human_Development_Index 52nd]) - high
<tr>
<td>Currency 
<td>Peso 
Convertible peso (see ~1~)
<tr>
<td>Time Zone 
- Summer (DST)
<td>EST 
(Starts April 1, end date varies)
<tr>
<td>Internet TLD
<td> .cu
<tr>
<td>Calling Code
<td> +53
<tr>
<td colspan=2 align="center"> ~1~ 1993–2004, the U.S. dollar was used in addition to the peso until the dollar was replaced by the convertible peso.
</table>

Check out the discussion board
==Cuba==

[[Image:Cuba_big.gif]]

Cuba is the largest Caribbean island [16th largest island in the world :-) ]. Of its 11m inhabitants, 60% are of Spanish descent; there are also substantial African and mixed-race minorities. Spain colonised Cuba in 1512 and decimated its indigenous population of Arawak Indians. In 1898 the US occupied the country, but relations soured in 1959 when the charismatic Fidel Castro came to power. The ban on US tourism has its advantages: apart from the coastal resort of Varadero the island remains non-commercial, and the people genuinely friendly.

====Timing====
November is the start of the dry season in cuba. Temperatures are normally around 27 Celsius. We will also miss the peak tourist season (mid Dec. to mid-March, & all of July & August).

====Things to do, when in Cuba====

- smoke Cuban cigars

- take a ride in a Vintage american car

- stay in a 'casa particular' - a common phenomenon in Cuba - for locals to rent out a room or 2 of their houses for tourists, this is the best way to gain an insight into the country

- drink 'Mojitos' - 'just the ticket after a hard day on the beach, Cuba's quintessential cocktail, a refreshing concoction of rum, limes & mint'

==Havana==

The capital, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havana Havana], with its colonial architecture and ostentatious 50s and 60s cars, is the biggest Caribbean city (pop. approx. 2.2 million) and the hub of Cuban nightlife.

We will spend a good 2 or 3 days in Havana.

====Things to do in Havana:====

- Fabrica de Tobaco Partagas - famous Havana cigar factory, offers a fascinating insight into the skills behind cigar making and lays bare some idiosyncratic Cuban working practices.

- La Guarida restaurant - where the excellent food is matched by Baroque surroundings,

- Visit Habana Vieja (old Havana) - including a visit to Edificio Bacardi - A slice of dazzling art deco architecture, the Bacardi family's pre-revolution HQ is a fitting place for to enjoy a Cubre libre

==Other potential places to visit==

Maria La Gorda - approx. 5 hrs drive from Havana - this seems to be the best place in Cuba for scuba diving. And also, you don't have to know how to scuba dive already!

Varadero - Fantastic beaches, and also good for scuba diving

Trinidad - a world heritage site, the country's most perfectly preserved colonial city, and also close to the beach & mountains.

==Useful Links:==

For practicalities - health, visas, climate etc.
[http://travel.guardian.co.uk/countries/information/0,8766,420477,00.html The Guardian]

For geography, history & culture:
[http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761569844/Cuba.html Encarta]

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuba Wikipedia]