Cuba
| Cuba | |
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| Motto: Spanish: Patria y Libertad (English: "Homeland and Freedom") | |
| Anthem: La Bayamesa (The Bayamo Song) | |
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| Capital | Havana 23°8′N 82°23′W |
| Largest City | Havana |
| Official Language | Spanish |
| Government: President of the | Republic |
| Independence - Declared from Spain |
Ten Years' War |
| Area - Total - Water (%) | 110,860 km² (104th) 42,803 sq mi |
| Population - 2005 est. | 11,345,670 (70th) 11,177,743 |
| GDP - Total | 2004 estimate |
| Human Development Index | 0.817 (52nd) - high |
| Currency | Peso Convertible peso |
| Time Zone - Summer (DST) | EST (Starts April 1, |
| Internet TLD | .cu |
| Calling Code | +53 |
| ~1~ 1993–2004, the U.S. dollar was used in addition to the peso until the dollar was replaced by the convertible peso. | |
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 [(eh?)] 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).
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, 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.
Havana has four main areas: La Habana Vieja (Old Havana), a World Heritage Site; and La Habana Moderna (Modern Havana), no less attractive and full of life and visitors, Miramar, and Vedado.
Old Havana:
"Old Havana has so much charm that only by visiting it can one capture fully the contrasts, sounds and colors that coexist there."
Old Havana has all the appearance of a Spanish colonial city. Havana is ideally situated for trade and communications, and many of the defences built to protect it from pirates and corsairs still exist, which is why it is impossible to walk in Old Havana without encountering impressive fortresses like the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, the Castillo de San Salvador de la Punta, La Cabaña, and the most unique of them all, El Morro (Morro Castle), located at the entrance to the Bay. From here each night the lighthouse guides ships passing by Havana, and by day visitors come to admire the stunning views the capital has to offer.
Old Havana also has spacious and beautiful cobbled plazas (squares) such as la Plaza de San Francisco de Asís, la Plaza de Armas, la Plaza Vieja and la Plaza de La Catedral (Cathedral Square), the latter a popular choice for photos and post cards of Cuba. Here you can try out some Cuban cocktails in an open air restaurant, while enjoying the view of the surrounding buildings and the sound of Cuban music in the air.
Havana has numerous museums: the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales (Palace of the Spanish Governors) which houses the Museum of the City of Havana, the Gabinete Arqueológico (Archaeological Bureau) and the Museo del Chocolate (hmm!!)
in nearby Morro Castle there is a permanent exhibition of the fort's construction process. Also located on that side of the Bay on a hillside is the giant statue of Christ of Casablanca, which is lit nightly.
Modern Havana
There is the state-subsidised Coppelia ice-cream parlour (you have to pay in pesos) where a dollar gets you 22 scoops. Apparently not bad ice cream.
There are several night clubs that offer music programs, among them El Gato Tuerto (The One-Eyed Cat), the Jazz Café, the Cocodrilo (The Crocodile), the Habana Café and Dos Gardenias (Two Gardenias).
Necrópolis de Colón (Columbus Graveyard) - Besides its tranquility there are some amazing stories there. There is a tomb shaped like a domino piece, one surrounded by women who wanted to get pregnant, a pyramid tomb built for the professor of the school of architecture...lots of interesting things to see.
It's along the Malecón that Havana's architecture really shines. From what I can gather, the Maelcón is a promenade much cherished by the people of Havana.
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. The Guardian
For geography, history & culture: Encarta