Country Guide • Cuba
Cuba is an island located on the northern rim of the Caribbean Sea west of Haiti, south of Florida and north of Jamaica. It consists of the island of Cuba, Isla de la Juventud (Island of Youth) and 1,600 islets and cays.
| Official Name | Republic of Cuba |
|---|---|
| Area | 110,860km² (42,803mile²) |
| Population | 11,263,400 |
| Continent | Caribbean/North America |
| Population per mile² | 263 |
| Capital City | Havana |
| Religions | 85% Roman Catholic, 4% Protestant, while other religious minorities include Jews and Afro-Cuban cults such as the Santeria (Thing of the Saints) |
| Language | Spanish |
| Government | Communist State |
| Currency | Cuban Peso |
| GDP | $25.5 billion |
| GDP per Head | $2,300 |
| Natural Resources | Cobalt, nickel, iron ore, copper, manganese, salt, timber, silica, petroleum |
| Land Use | Arable Land 33% |
| Agriculture | Tobacco, sugar, citrus fruits, coffee, rice, potatoes, beans and livestock |
| Industry | Tourism, sugar, minerals, tobacco products, foodstuffs and medicine |
| Tourism | December to April is the island's peak tourist season an ideal time to catch the sun. Cuba has a beautiful mix of mountain ranges and plains aswell as over 200 bays and 289 sun drenched beaches to explore |
| Natural Hazards | The east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to October (in general, the country averages about one hurricane every 18 months); droughts are common |
| Health Risks | None except cases of Hepatitis A occur among travellers drinking tap water in areas with poor sanitation |
| Climate | Cuba has a temperate semi-tropical climate. There are two seasons, the dry season from November to April and the wet season from May to October. Around 75% of the rainfall occurs during the wet season and is well distributed throughout the country. Average temperature ranges in Havana are from 18 to 26°C in January to 24 to 32°C in July |
| Time | GMT/UTC-5 hours |
| National Days | January 1 |
| Visas | Virtually everybody including British citizens require a visa to enter Cuba. U.S citizens are officially prohibited from travelling to Cuba unless they obtain a special license, travel restrictions are however relaxing |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
Information Only
The content above is for information purposes only and we have tried to ensure that the information is as accurate as possible. We cannot accept any responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury as a result of the information above. You should always check and verify any critical information like visas, health and safety and customs with the relevant authorities before you travel since information can change at any time.
