General background: Fidel CASTRO led a rebel
army to victory in 1959; his iron rule has held the country
together since. Cuba's Communist revolution, with Soviet
support, was exported throughout Latin America and Africa
during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. The country is now slowly
recovering from a severe economic recession in 1990, following
the withdrawal of former Soviet subsidies, worth $4 billion
to $6 billion annually. Havana portrays its difficulties
as the result of the US embargo in place since 1961. Illicit
migration to the US - using homemade rafts, alien smugglers,
or falsified visas - is a continuing problem. Some 3,000
Cubans attempted the crossing of the Straits of Florida
in 2001; the US Coast Guard interdicted only about 25%
of these.
Area comparative: Slightly smaller
than Pennsylvania
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
Population: 11,224,321 (July 2002 est.)
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
Government type: Communist state
Capital: Havana
Legal system: Based on Spanish and American
law, with large elements of Communist legal theory;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction.
Economic overview: The government continues
to balance the need for economic loosening against a
concern for firm political control. It has undertaken
limited reforms in recent years to stem excess liquidity,
increase enterprise efficiency, and alleviate serious
shortages of food, consumer goods, and services, but
is unlikely to implement extensive changes. A major
feature of the economy is the dichotomy between relatively
efficient export enclaves and inefficient domestic sectors.
The average Cuban's standard of living remains at a
lower level than before the severe economic depression
of the early 1990s, which was caused by the loss of
Soviet aid and domestic inefficiencies. High oil prices,
recessions in key export markets, and damage from Hurricane
Michelle hampered growth in 2001. Cuba paid high prices
for oil imports in the face of slumping prices in the
key sugar and nickel industries and suffered a slowdown
in tourist arrivals following September 11. The government
subsequently depreciated the peso by approximately 30%
and now aims for 3% growth in 2002.
Communication/Telephone system: Principal trunk
system, end to end of country, is coaxial cable; fiber-optic
distribution in Havana and on Isla de la Juventud; 2
microwave radio relay installations (one is old, US-built;
the other newer, built during the period of Soviet support);
both analog and digital mobile cellular service established.
Places of interest: Excellent fishing waters.
Travel tips: Cuba's backcountry and beaches are
perfect chill out destinations for hikers, swimmers,
spelunkers or those who just want to smoke a fine cigar
under a palm tree.
|
