10 Interesting Facts About Cuba

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Cuba is a land rich in history, culture and biodiversity. Cuba is forbidden fruit for most Americans, but a thriving vacation destination for others. We’ve compiled a random list of practical to quirky info. These are 10 interesting facts about Cuba.

1. It’s Bigger Than you Think
Cuba is the largest country in the Caribbean and the 17th largest island in the world. It’s not just one island, either. The Republic of Cuba is actually an archipelago that includes the main island of Cuba, Isla de la Juventud and over 4000 small cays and islets.


2. Antique Road Show
Up until 2011 there was an import ban on cars in Cuba. The vast majority of wheels on the road are vintage 1950s American classics. It’s like stepping back in time seeing fleets of pre-embargo Chevys, Chryslers and Cadillacs still in active circulation on the island.


3. Cuba Has 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Seven are cultural sites and two are natural sites. These include the colonial cities of Old Havana, Trinidad and Camagüey, Alejandro de Humboldt National Park and the tobacco growing region of Viñales Valley.


4. Castro Banned the Beatles
In 1964 he declared a ban of Beatles music. However, fast forward a few decades and Castro himself presided over a ceremony to dedicate a bronze statue of John Lennon in a Havana park, now aptly named John Lennon Park.

5. Kennedy Stocked up on Cubans
President John F. Kennedy asked his press secretary Pierre Salinger to buy him some of his favorite Cuban cigars. He managed to get 1200 Petite Upmann’s delivered to the Oval Office. The next morning, Kennedy signed the decree to ban all Cuban products from the US. I guess the presidency has its privileges.

6. Christmas Isn’t Big in Cuba
The celebration was removed from the calendar in 1969. Castro thought the distraction was impeding sugar cane production. When he heard Pope John Paul II was planning a visit, Castro allowed Christmas to be observed as a national holiday once again. Today it’s a low-key celebration.


7. Cuba Has Some Unique Creatures
The world’s smallest bird, the bee hummingbird, lives there. They have one of the planet’s smallest frogs, and the prehistoric Manjuari fish. It’s a bizarre, primitive skeletal fish that’s like a biological link between fish and mammals. There are over 3000 plant species found nowhere else.


8. Cuban Tourism is Booming (Just Not for Americans)
Tourism is one of the island’s main sources of revenue, also Medical tourism, as Cuba’s health care standards are impressive. However, Americans have not been free to visit Cuba since the 1960 travel ban. It is the still the only country that US citizens need official government permission to visit.

9. Guess Where Cuba Imports its Food From?
Cuba imports over 75% of the food it consumes. As of 2003 its main food supplier has been the United States. The US and Cuba do not do business with each other. However, in recent years an exception has been made for medicine and agricultural products bought with cash.

10. Cubans Probably Won’t Read This
As of 2012, only 25% of the population have access to a government-controlled intranet, dropping to 5% for surfing the open internet. Home web connections are almost non-existent. Only select professions. Most people can only get online at government-run internet cafes paying $5/h or more (less for email).

Which one impressed you the most?
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