Cuba

Capital (and largest city)		Havana 23°8′N 82°23′W
Official language(s)		Spanish
Ethnic groups		65.05% European(Spanish, others), 10.08% African (Igbo, other), 23.84% Mulattoand Mestizo[3]
Area
-	Total	110,861 km2 (105th) 42,803 sq mi
-	Water (%)	negligible
Population
-	2008 estimate	11,451,652 (July 2009 est.)[5] (73rd)
-	2002 census	11,177,743
-	Density	102/km2 (97th) 264/sq mi
Currency		Cuban peso(CUP) Cuban convertible peso[7] (CUC)
Time zone		(UTC-5)

The Republic of Cuba Spanish: República de Cuba, pronounced [reˈpuβlika ðe ˈkuβa]  ( listen)) is an island country in the Caribbean. It consists of the island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city.^[8][9]

Cuba is home to over 11 million people and is the most populous insular nation in the Caribbean. Its people, culture, and customs draw from diverse sources, including the aboriginal Taíno and Ciboney peoples; the period of Spanish colonialism; the introduction of African slaves; and its proximity to the United States.

Geography

Cuba is an archipelago of islands located in the northern Caribbean Sea at the confluence with the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. The United States lies to the north-west, the Bahamas to the north, Haiti to the east, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands to the south, and Mexico to the west. Cuba is the principal island, surrounded by four smaller groups of islands: the Colorados Archipelago on the northwestern coast, the Sabana-Camagüey Archipelago on the north-central Atlantic coast, the Jardines de la Reina on the south-central coast and the Canarreos Archipelago on the southwestern coast.

The main island is 1,199 km (745 mi) long, constituting most of the nation's land area (105,006 km² (40,543 sq mi)) and is the 16th-largest island in the world by land area. The main island consists mostly of flat to rolling plains apart from the Sierra Maestra mountains in the southeast, whose highest point is Pico Turquino (1,975 m (6,480 ft)). The second-largest island is Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth) in the Canarreos archipelago, with an area of 3,056 km² (1,180 sq mi). Cuba has a total land area of 110,860 km² (42,803 sq mi).

The local climate is tropical, though moderated by northeasterly trade winds that blow year-round. In general (with local variations), there is a drier season from November to April, and a rainier season from May to October. The average temperature is 21 °C (70 °F) in January and 27 °C (81 °F) in July. The warm temperatures of the Caribbean Sea and the fact that Cuba sits across the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico combine to make the country prone to frequent hurricanes. These are most common in September and October.

The most important mineral resource is nickel, of which Cuba has the world's second largest reserves after Russia.^[94] A Canadian energy company operates a large nickel mining facility in Moa. Cuba is also the world's fifth-largest producer of refined cobalt, a byproduct of nickel mining operations.^[94] Recent oil exploration has revealed that theNorth Cuba Basin could produce approximately 4.6 billion barrels (730,000,000 m³) to 9.3 billion barrels (1.48×10⁹ m³) of oil. In 2006, Cuba started to test-drill these locations for possible exploitation.^[95]

Things to do in Havana | Things to do in Varadero

Tourism in Cuba is surely more than what it used to be. Cuba's government, as well as its people, understand how much income tourist dollars can bring. Boasting a history full of unique events, Cuban attractions often consider the country's present-day status, while shedding light on the country's storied past. Add to that the friendly nature of Cubans, Cuba's hot music scene, and its immaculatebeaches, and you have a vacation destination that stands poised to both meet and exceed whatever expectations you might have had. Get help planning your Cuba vacation with these suggestions for things to do in Cuba.

Stroll the Famous Malecon

Running along the waterfront, Havana's Malecon is one of the more renowned tourist attractions in all of Cuba. Built in the early 1900's, this pedestrian walkway also features six lanes of important city roadway that serves as one of the city's main arteries. A popular meeting place for social gatherings, a parade route for special festivals, and the perfect place to watch the sun go down, taking in at least part of the Malecon is a must when considering things to do in Cuba. If you only have time to walk a portion of the Malecon, the stretch through CentralHavana is of particular interest with its historic buildings.

Tour Old Havana

Known to Cubans as La Habana Vieja, Old Havana is a tourist magnet, and the Cuban government knows it. In recent years, great strides have been taken to renovate the districts colonial-era structures. Old mansions and churches are just some of the sights that help to make Old Havana on a whole one of the top tourist attractions in Cuba. Old Havana is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is also where you can find some of the best, and most frequented Havana hotels. Taking a guided cultural tour of Old Havana is a possibility, or you can take your own walking tour and perhaps see what the day will bring.

Learn about the Cuban Revolution at the Museo de la Revolucion

Cuba's current leader, Fidel Castro, rose to power with a historic assault on the capital that has resulted in almost 50 years of Communist rule. Depending on who you ask, Castro is either a hero or a villain, but if he is nothing else, than he is at least a most interesting character study. Together with Che Guevara and a band of other revolutionaries, Castro managed to overthrow Fulgencio Batista to become Cuba's President. The Museo de la Revolucion (Museum of the Revolution) in Havana offers exhibits that pertain to the Cuban Revolution, as well as to the Cuban War of Independence. Behind the museum, you can see the yacht known as "Granma", which Castro and his band of some 80 men used to sail from Mexico to Cuba for their coup.

Head to the Beach

Cuba has over 3,000 miles of coastline, and its numerous cays and islands offer prominent coastlines of their own. At Cuban beachdestinations like Varadero, Cayo Coco, and Cayo Largo, you can enjoy a number of watersports, soak up some warm rays, enjoy the transparent Caribbean waters, and just refresh your inner soul. Cuba arguably has some of the best beaches in the world, and it also boasts a good amount of resorts where you can enjoy service and comfort at one of Cuba's best sandy stretches. Most Cuban resorts are of the all inclusive variety, meaning you can expect to worry less about planning meals and finding accommodations, and more on exciting and fun things to do in Cuba. To compliment your Cuba beach experience, you might inquire with your hotel desk, or find a local travel agency to help you find some tours to add to the mix.

Catch a Live Cuban Music Performance

Cuban music takes plenty of influence from the country's Afro-Cuban roots. Cuban music is both original, innovative and typical all at once. You can head to one of Cuba's night clubs, or drop in on one of the country's many Music Houses and dance to live salsa, kick back to Cuban jazz, or see old masters deliver the famous Cuban "Son". pronounced like "Sone", Son is surely one of Cuba's major music genres, and is credited for shaping much of Cuban music after it. Buena Vista Social Club is largely responsible for putting Cuban music on the map for those who weren't familiar with it, and if you are planning a Cuba vacation, their CD is a can't miss. Many Cuban cities are known to offer free concerts in public city plazas, so if you are lucky, you will be in town for one, whether it be in Havana, Santiago de Cuba or beyond. Seeing a live Cuban music performance of any kind is definitely a highly-recommended entry for things to do in Cuba.

Explore the Bellamar Caves

Since their discovery in the latter 1800"s, Cuba's Bellamar Caves have been one of the most recognized tourist attractions in Cuba. Found some 60 miles from Havana, and just 25 miles from Varadero, the Cuevas de Bellamar, as they are known in Cuba, will blow your mind. Ornate crystal sculptures, underground rivers and ponds, and indigenous pictographs can all be found inside the Bellamar Caves, and if you only add one tour to your list of things to do in Cuba, it might have to be here. Words can not adequately explain the Bellamar Caves, as they are truly one of the Cuban attractions that need to be seen to be believed.

Go Scuba Diving

Whether you are an experienced diver or trying it for the first time, scuba diving in Cuba is certainly one of the more rewarding things to do in Cuba. Dive centers and facilities are springing up all over Cuba, offering trained instructors and a list of underwater destinations. Visit a sunken ship from the Spanish-American War, or simply drift along with the current exploring miles of pristine coral reefs. Many of the Cuban beach resorts can help you arrange your Cuba scuba diving adventure, and once you enter the crystal-clear waters here, you will be treated to hundreds of species of colorful fish and all kinds of other interesting ocean creatures. Cayo Largo, Guardalavaca (Holguin), and Cayo Coco are just some of the possible Cuban destinations where you can enjoy world-class scuba diving.

Hang the Gone Fishin' Sign on Your Hotel Door

Ernest Hemingway used to love to fish in Cuba, and whether you are looking to stand on firm ground while casting a line, or want to head out to sea, Cuba fishing has plenty of exciting spots to check out. Deep sea fishing is popular with anglers looking to snare some pretty sporty species, and bonefishing here is about as good as it gets. You can flyfish for tarpon in Cuba, head to an inland lake for trout and bass, or struggle with a Blue Marlin offshore. Families might consider booking a fishing expedition in Cuba, and if you go on guided fishing tours, often times your guide(s) will help you cook up the day's catch. It's pretty much as good as Cuban food gets.