Glimpse of El Capitolio in Havana, Cuba Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Capitolio_2_Havana_Cuba.jpg Author: Vgenecr
Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. It is a unitary republic and a communist state. The country is 109,886 sq km (42,427 sq mi) in area and has a population of 11.3 million people (2011 estimate).
Cuba is five hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-5). The official currency here is the Cuban peso (CUP). Traffic is driven on the right. The phone IDD code is +53. The electricity is either the 110V/60 Hz or the 220V/60Hz using the North American, European and Italian plugs.
Playa de Varadero, Cuba Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vista_Varadero_calle_38.jpg Author: Roberty
In 2009, Cuba had a nominal GDP of $67 billion, which worked out to a per capita nominal GDP of $5,984. Its per capita GDP at purchasing power parity is $9,700.
Cuba was first discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492 and made Spanish territory. It declared independence on 10 October, 1868, but it was not recognized by the United States until 20 May, 1902. The Cuban Revolution of 1 January, 1959 created the present state, with Fidel Castro as prime minister on February, 1959, paving the way for a one-party rule, with Castro as the supreme leader.
Callejon de Hamel, Havana Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Callejonhabana.JPG Author: Kirua
Planning your visit to Cuba
Visitors from most countries need a visa. It costs about €15-€25. The Jose Martí International Airport (HAV) southwest of Havana is the main gateway to Cuba, with flights connections to the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico and Europe.
Havana Cemetery, Cuba Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:DirkvdM_havana_cemetery.jpg Author: DirkvdM
Cuba ratified the World Heritage Convention on 24 March, 1981. As of August 2010, it has 9 World Heritage Sites of which seven are in the cultural and two in the natural categories. Cuba presently has 3 sites on the World Heritage Tentative List.
Cuba has served three terms on the World Heritage Committee, in 1987-1993, 1995-2001 and 2005-2009.
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