CUBA

WHY CUBA?

• Cuba has a tropical climate, many beaches, and bays.
• The people are friendly.
• Cuba has a very rich culture, and interesting history.
• Cuba's wildlife includes hummingbirds, flamingos, and crocodiles.

GOVERNMENT

• Communist state headed by General Raul Castro
• Executive power is excersized by the Cuban Government.
• Legislative power is excersized by the NAPP.
• Raul Castro is the former president's brother (Fidel Castro)
• The Castros came into power in 1959 after Fidel Castro launched a revolution an later took over the government.

BACKGROUND

• In 1442 Columbus landed on the island.
• Originally there was a group of Indians called the Tahino.
• However, when sailors came over, diseases were spread and the Tahino were killed off.
• By 1511 Spaniards under Diego Velasquez had established settlements in Cuba.
• Cuba became a population transport to and from Spain, which ended up bringing people over to Cuba.

BACKGROUND CONTINUED

• In the early 1800's, Cuba's sugar cane industry boomed.
• This brought in slavery, which was later abolished in 1886.
• In 1899 a treaty made Cuba an independent republic under U.S prosecution.

GEOGRAPHY

• Cuba is mostly flat with rolling plains, rugged hills, and mountains in the southeast.
• Cuba is characterized by large mountains that covering third of the total land.
• There are 200 bays and 289 beaches in Cuba.
• The current population of Cuba is around 11 million.
• Residents of Cuba refer to Cuba as "El Crocodile", because the Island is somewhat shaped like a crocodile.

ECONOMY

• The major imports of Cuba are: petroleum, technology, machinery, and chemicals.
• The major exports of Cuba are: sugar, nickel, tobacco, fish, medicine, citrus, and coffee.
• In Cuba their main crops are: sugar, tobacco, citrus, coffee, rice, potatoes, and beans.
• Last year Cuba welcomed 2.8 million tourists.
• The Cuban currency is the Cuban Convertible Peso and the Cuban Peso.

RELIGION

• The most common religion in Cuba is Catholicism.
• People also practice Santeria, which came along with the African American Slaves.
• Cuba is the least religious Latin American country.

SOME CUBAN HOLIDAYS

• January 1: Liberation Day
• July 26: Day of National Rebeliousness
• March 8: International Women's Day
• April 19: Anniversary of the Bay Pigs
• Cubans also celebrate many of the same holidays as Americans.

CUBAN FOODS

• Ajiaco- soup made with various meats.
• Cocada- coconut sweet with sugar and oils.
• Congri- fried rice, beans, onions, bacon.
• Moros y cristianos- traditional mixture of rice and beans.
• Traditional Cuban cooking is mostly simple, and uses a lot of local foods.

WHY WE CANT GO TO CUBA

• When Fidel Castro came into power in 1959, relations between our countries became tense.
• By 1960, Castro's government had seized private land and taxed American products highly.
• In response the U.S cut all diplomatic ties.
• After finding evidence of missile bases being built in Cuba, embargo regulations became more strict.
• According to the U.S, Cuba is listed as a terrorist country.