Cuba, the captivating island nation nestled in the Caribbean Sea, is a land of contrasts and curiosities.
From its iconic vintage cars and colorful colonial architecture to its world-renowned cigars and salsa music, Cuba has long captured the imagination of travelers and historians alike.
However, beyond the well-known aspects of Cuban culture, the country is home to a wealth of lesser-known facts that showcase its unique history, diverse geography, and resilient spirit.
In this article, we will delve into some of the most fascinating and little-known facts about Cuba, providing a glimpse into the heart and soul of this remarkable Caribbean gem.
History of Cuba
Cuba’s history began with the settlement of Indigenous peoples around 6,000 years ago.
Christopher Columbus claimed the island for Spain in 1492, leading to colonization and the exploitation of the Taíno population.
Cuba gained independence from Spain after the Spanish-American War in 1898, but U.S. influence persisted.
The 1959 Cuban Revolution, led by Fidel Castro, established a communist regime, resulting in strained U.S.-Cuba relations.
Since then, Cuba has faced economic challenges, particularly after the Soviet Union’s collapse, and has seen leadership transitions from Castro to Díaz-Canel.
With that said let’s have a look at some interesting facts about Cuba;
1. Cuba gained independence from Spain in 1898 after the Spanish-American War, but the U.S. maintained significant influence over the island nation.
2. The Cuban Revolution in 1959, led by Fidel Castro, established a communist regime and strained relations with the U.S.
3. Fidel Castro survived over 600 assassination attempts.
4. Cuba is a founding member of the United Nations.
5. Voting is legally mandated in Cuba.
6. The Plaza de la Revolución in Havana is the nation’s most iconic square.
7. There are no statues of Fidel Castro in Cuba.
8. Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean and the 17th largest in the world.
9. Around a third of Cuba is covered in high mountains and hilly terrain, while the remaining two-thirds is lowland plains.
10. Cuba’s coastline is 3,500 miles long.
11. Pico Turquino, at 1,972 meters (6,469 feet), is the highest mountain in Cuba.
12. From the air, Cuba resembles a crocodile or alligator, leading to its Spanish nicknames “El Cocodrilo” or “El Caimán”.
13. Catholicism is the primary religion in Cuba.
14. The national flower of Cuba is the butterfly jasmine.
15. Baseball is Cuba’s most popular sport.
16. Cubans love to dance, especially salsa, rumba, mambo, cha-cha-cha, trova, and danzón.
7. Chess is a popular pastime, with José Raúl Capablanca being one of the greatest chess grandmasters of all time.
18. The average Cuban earns about $234 each month.
19. Cuba has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.
20. Cuba has become more LGBT-friendly, with gay marriages set to become legal and hotels catering to the LGBT community opening across the island.
21. Cuba is the top producer of sugar.
22. The country’s biggest exports are tobacco, sugar, and nickel.
23. Bacardi rum was originally manufactured in Cuba but moved to Puerto Rico after Fidel Castro’s takeover.
24. Cuba is one of the most eco-friendly holiday destinations in the world, ranked the world’s most sustainable country by the Sustainable Development Index in 2015.
25. Only two countries in the world are not allowed to sell Coca-Cola officially: North Korea and Cuba.
26. Cuba contains nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
27. The ideal time to visit Cuba is during the dry season.
28. The Tropicana show in Havana has remained almost entirely unchanged since it began in 1939.
29. Cuba has a vibrant festival culture.
30. The first French settlement in Cuba was in 1819 with the creation of the town of Cienfuegos.
31. Ernest Hemingway stayed in Cuba for a third of his life.
32. The first Spanish settlement in Cuba was in Baracoa in 1511.
33. Cuba is famous worldwide for its cigars, with cigar festivals like the Festival Del Habano held annually.
34. Cuban cigars are known to be the finest in the world.
35. The world’s smallest bird, the bee hummingbird, is found in Cuba.
36. The world’s smallest frog is also found in Cuba.
37. The national dish of Cuba is ropa vieja, a hearty stew of chopped beef, onions, tomato sauce, and peppers.
38. Cuba is famous for its rum, with Havana Club being a popular brand.
39. Ernest Hemingway was known for his heavy drinking in Cuba, once boasting of drinking 13 double daiquiris in a single sitting.
40. President Kennedy imported many of his favorite H. Upmann cigars just before imposing the U.S. embargo on Cuba.
41. In 1980, over 120,000 Cubans migrated to the U.S. during the Mariel boatlift, freely allowed to do so by Fidel Castro.
42. A man left Havana in 1986 in a hot air balloon and has been missing ever since.
43. The dance forms of bolero, mambo, and cha-cha-cha were invented in Cuba.
44. Cuba’s healthcare system has been recognized around the world, with the country having one of the highest ratios of doctors per person.
45. The adult literacy rate in Cuba is 96.7%, significantly higher than many first-world countries.
46. Cuba’s government is a Marxist-Leninist single-party state that has been headed by a member of the Castro family for many decades.
47. In an effort to break down the U.S. embargo, Barack Obama visited Cuba in 2016, becoming the first U.S. president to do so since Calvin Coolidge in 1928.
48. The CIA allegedly tried to assassinate Fidel Castro by sending him an exploding cigar and a poisoned box of his favorite Cohiba cigars.
49. Cuba’s classic vintage cars have a complicated background, with many being restored and maintained due to the U.S. embargo.
Conclusion
Cuba is a fascinating country with a rich history, vibrant culture, and unique challenges.
From its colonial past to the Cuban Revolution and beyond, the island nation has faced significant political and economic obstacles, particularly in its relationship with the United States.
Despite these challenges, Cuba has managed to maintain a strong sense of identity and pride.
The country is known for its stunning natural beauty, world-renowned cigars and rum, and lively music and dance traditions.
Cuba’s healthcare system and high literacy rates are also impressive achievements.
As Cuba continues to evolve and adapt to the changing global landscape, it will be interesting to see how the country navigates its future.
With its resilient spirit and dedication to its socialist principles, Cuba remains a compelling and complex country that continues to capture the imagination of people around the world.
