logo

Official Name: Republic of Cuba

Capital: La Habana

Language: Spanish

National Anthem: Composed by Pedro (Perucho) Figueredo in the city of Bayamo in 1867.

The Flag

Created in 1849. It was hoisted for the first time in 1850, in the city of Cardenas, province of Matanzas.

Each element of the national emblem has a special meaning. The equilateral triangle is a clear reference to the yearning for liberty, equality and fraternity. The color red portends the spilling of blood that would be required to win independence. The single star located in the middle of the triangle is a symbol of absolute freedom. The three blue stripes represent the eastern, central and western provinces into which the island was formerly divided. The two white strips signify the purity and virtue of the Cuban people.

Shield

It symbolizes Cuba's geographic position, a golden key at the entrance of the Gulf of Mexico, its hopes for a luminous future, its sovereign condition and the industrious, indomitable nature of its people.

Tree

The Royal Palm (Roystonea Regia, found in abundance throughout the Cuban landscape). It symbolizes the strength of the Cuban character.

Flower

Butterfly lily (Hedychium Coronarium Koenig, a type of white-colored jasmine that is exquisitely perfumed).

Bird

The Trogan bird (Priotelus Temnurus, a native species whose plumage has the same colors as the Cuban flag).

Religion

Cuba is a lay country with freedom of religion. the Catholic and Afro-Cuban religions are the most popular.

Population

The population of Cuba is over 11 120 000 inhabitants and 75.2 % live in urban areas. The most densely populated provinces are the City of Havana (2,198 000), Santiago de Cuba (1 023 000) and Holguín (1 021 000).

Currency

Cuban peso. Convertible Cuban Peso (CUC) is equivalent to American dollar (USD).

Political administrative division of Cuba

The Republic of Cuba is composed of 14 provinces, 169 municipalities and the Special Municipality of the Isle of Youth. From the west to the east, the provinces are: Pinar del Río, Havana, City of Havana, Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus, Ciego de Ávila, Camagüey, Las Tunas, Holguín, Granma, Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo.

Transportation

Cars, buses and motorcycles. The country features 17 airports: ten for international operations. There is an extensive network of highways and roads with some 50,000 km, of which 14,000 are highways and asphalt roads that link the main cities. Domestic charters and air taxi services within Cuba are available from companies in the country.

Sports

Cuba is a major figure within the world of sports. It holds leading positions in events such as boxing, baseball and volleyball and its role has been enhanced by figures of international fame in athletics, fencing, judo, Greek wrestling, chess and weight-lifting. Every year the country hosts international sporting events.

Education

Education in Cuba is free and compulsory.
There are around 13 343 teaching polytechnic and specialized institutes as well as Universities and High Level Institutes in all the country.

Health

Cuba's system of primary health care covers the entire country and is considered to be unique in Latin America. Health services are free for all Cubans. There is an extensive network of centers (442 health clinics and 281 hospitals), in addition to other specialized institutions. The infant mortality rate is 7.1 per thousand live births and life expectancy at birth is 75.2 years. Cuba is among the six nations of the world that produces interferon (INF).

Its type B and C meningitis vaccinations and hepatitis B are unique in the world. These achievements have been made possible thanks to the existence of 211 research-production scientific centers and institutes.