Cuba and Wikipedia:Peer review: Difference between pages

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{{Infobox Country|

native_name=República de Cuba|

common_name=Cuba|

image_flag=Cuba flag large.png|

image_coat=Cuba coa.png|

image_map=LocationCuba.png|

national_motto=Patria y Libertad<br>(Spanish: Homeland and Freedom)|

national_anthem=[[La Bayamesa]] (The Bayamo Song)|

official_languages=[[Spanish language|Spanish]]|

capital=[[La Habana]]|

latd=23|latm=8|latNS=N|longd=82|longm=23|longEW=W|

largest_city=[[La Habana]]|

government_type=[[Communist state]]|

leader_titles=[[President]]|

leader_names=[[Fidel Castro]]|

area_rank=104th|

area_magnitude=1_E11|

area=110,860|

percent_water=negligible|

population_estimate=11,346,670|

population_estimate_year=2005|

population_estimate_rank=70th|

population_census=11,177,743|

population_census_year=2002|

population_density=102|

population_density_rank=73rd|

GDP_PPP_year=2004|

GDP_PPP=$33.9 billion|

GDP_PPP_rank=89th|

GDP_PPP_per_capita=$3,000|

GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank=128th|

sovereignty_type=[[Independence]]|

established_events=&nbsp;• Declared from Spain<br><br>&nbsp;• Recognised by Spain<br>&nbsp;• End of U.S. administration|

established_dates=[[Ten Years' War]]<br>[[October 10]] [[1868]]<br>[[Spanish-American War]]<br>[[December 10]] [[1898]]<br>[[May 20]] [[1902]]|

currency=[[Cuban peso|Peso]] (<code>[[ISO 4217|CUP]]</code>)<!-- kludge to deal with fact that template expects only one currency per country --><br>[[Cuban convertible peso|Convertible peso]] ¹|

currency_code=CUC|

time_zone=[[North American Eastern Standard Time Zone|EST]]|

utc_offset=-5|

time_zone_DST=(Starts [[April 1]], end date varies)|

utc_offset_DST=-4|

cctld=[[.cu]]|

CCTLD=CU|

calling_code=53|

footnotes=¹ [[1993]]–[[2004]], the [[United States dollar|U.S. dollar]] was used in addition to the peso until the dollar was replaced by the convertible peso.

}}

{{Otheruses}}

This page is for nearly Featured-standard articles that need the final checking by peers before being nominated as [[Wikipedia:Featured article candidates|Featured article candidates]]. '''Requests for peer review''' are listed here to expose articles to closer scrutiny than they might otherwise receive. See [[:Category:Wikipedia style guidelines]] and [[:Category:Wikipedia how-to]] for advice on writing [[Wikipedia:How to write a great article|great articles]]. Or look at the discussion of [[Wikipedia:The perfect article|the perfect article]] and try to reach as many of those ideals as possible. If an article needs extensive work, please list it on [[Wikipedia:Pages needing attention|Pages needing attention]], [[Wikipedia:Requests for expansion|Requests for expansion]] or [[Wikipedia:Cleanup|Cleanup]]. Please list article content disputes on [[Wikipedia:Requests for comment|Requests for comment]] rather than here.

The '''Republic of Cuba''' consists of the island of Cuba (the largest of the [[Greater Antilles]]), the [[Isle of Youth]] and various adjacent small islands. The name of the island is derived from the [[Arawakan languages|Taino]] word "cubanacán", meaning a central place. It is located in the northern [[Caribbean]] at the confluence of the [[Caribbean Sea]], the [[Gulf of Mexico]] and the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. To the north is found the [[United States]], to the northeast the [[Bahamas]], to the east the [[Turks and Caicos Islands]], to the west [[Mexico]], to the south the [[Cayman Islands]] and [[Jamaica]], and to the southeast [[Haiti]].

'''Note:''' [[Peer review]] is the process of review by peers and usually implies a group of authoritative reviewers who are equally familiar and expert in the subject. The process represented by this page is not formal peer review in that sense and articles that undergo this process cannot be assumed to have greater authority than any other.

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==History==

{{PR-instructions}}

{{main|History of Cuba}}

''See also [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Computer and video games/Peer review|Peer reviews]] for [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Computer and video games]]''

History of Cuba: Before 1492 Cuba had been long settled by at least two distinct peoples: Taíno and Ciboney. Rumors of Atlantean civilizations, although much touted by the present government [http://www.andrewcollins.com/page/articles/lostcity.htm], are not considered well founded. The Taíno used some copper tools, copper alloys, and elaborately worked gold, but mostly used ceramic and woven containers, shell and stone tools; swords macanas were stone tipped wood. The Taíno and the Ciboney (pronounced with a soft C and also written Siboney) were settled agriculturalists; but also fished and hunted with inventive devices notably using harpoons (arpón is a Taíno word) and tethered remora sucker fish, and made adroit use of natural products. Taínos and Ciboney held compatible customs and beliefs, and in sacred ritual smoked tobacco mixed with mild hallucinogens (cohoba). Cuba was first visited by Europeans when Christopher Columbus arrived on October 28, 1492. In 1511 Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar conquered the Island and became the first Spaniard to govern Cuba.

[[Image:Cuba modis.jpg|thumb|300px|Cuba as seen from space]]

The Taínos (Island Arawak) were part of a cultural group commonly called the Arawak, which extends far into South America. The wide diffusion of this culture is witnessed even today by names of places in the New World; for example localities or rivers called Guamá (the Taíno name for Lonchocarpus domingens a leguminous tree, the designation of a chief, a famous Taíno who fought the Spanish) are found in Cuba, Venezuela and Brazil. The Arawaks incorporated readily into the successive invading groups and are now acculturated almost to the point of disappearance. Residues of Taíno poetry, songs, sculpture, and art are found today throughout the Antilles. The Arawak and other such cultural groups are responsible for the development of perhaps 60% of crops in common use today and some major industrial materials such as rubber. Taínos taught the Spanish to grow tobacco and make cigars.

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Approximately 16 to 60 thousand or more for some estimates are far higher, Taíno and Ciboney inhabited Cuba before colonization. The Native Cuban Indian population, were forced from their minor princedoms or Cazigazgos into reservations during the Spanish subjugation of the island of Cuba. Such were Guanabacoa, today a city near Havana, Jiguaní and Guisa in the east. Many Native Cubans died due to the brutality of Spanish conquistadores and the measles and smallpox etc that they brought with them, diseases previously unknown to Indians. On the other hand the introduction of smoking and most probably syphilis into Europe as a result of this contact caused uncounted deaths in Europe.

==Requests==

Shakespeare's character Caliban is taken by many to represent a Caribbean Shaman. Sir Walter Raleigh's execution is said witnessed by his Caribbean servant. A number of Taíno words, transliterated into Spanish, have found English usage; such words include canoe, savanna, and tobacco. By 1550, most indigenous civil organization had disappeared. Many Conquistadors intermarried with Indigenous women. Their children were called mestizo, but the Native Cubans called them Güajiro, which translates as "one of us". Yet today, some descendants maintain their heritage.

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==Archives==

Cuba had first served as base for Spanish Conquistadors such as Hernán Cortes [http://www.pbs.org/kpbs/theborder/history/timeline/1.html] when these expeditions left for the mainland of the Americas, the island was almost depopulated. The resulting treasures, mined gold and silver, chocolate and, then very valuable, dyes and medicine plant products were transported from the Americas and later also from the Philippines to Spain using Cuban ports as safe harbors. In this period there were further indigenous risings most especially that of Guamá, followed by intense pirate activity, both based in Cuba and attacking Cuban cities.

*'''[[Wikipedia:Peer review/November 2005]] (current)'''

*[[Wikipedia:Peer review/October 2005]]

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*[[Wikipedia:Peer review/Archive 3]], [[Wikipedia:Peer review/Archive 2]], [[Wikipedia:Peer review/Archive 1]]

[[Category:Editorial validation]]

Spanish mercantilism caused Spain to keep Cuba relatively isolated to external influences, but beginning with the year-long occupation of Havana by the British in 1762 at the end of the Seven Years' War, Cuba became more open economically to both the importation of slaves and advances in sugar cultivation and processing. The massive La Cabaña fortress, never taken by assault, which completely dominates Havana Bay was built soon after Havana, exchanged for Florida, was returned to Spain. Between 1791 to 1804, many French fled to Cuba from the Haitian revolution, bringing with them slaves and expertise in sugar refining and coffee growing. As a result Cuba became the world's major sugar producer. By 1884, slavery was abolished.

[[de:Wikipedia:Review]]

The colony's struggle for independence lasted throughout the second half of the 19th century with the first effort with any success was the Ten Years' War (1868-78). José Martí, rebel organizer and writer landed in easternmost Cuba with Antonio Maceo and Máximo Gómez and other exiles in 1895. Although a little more than a month later he died in battle, Martí is considered the major Cuban historic figure. While organizing rebellion in the United States Martí wrote voluminously praising the U.S. Constitution, and explicitly condemning communism. Some socialist historians have interpreted his writings, to support communism and to express a fear of U.S. expansionism.

[[fr:Wikipédia:Comité de lecture]]

[[simple:Wikipedia:Peer review]]

Antonio Maceo and Máximo Gómez led a brilliant campaign the length of the Island, defeating all attempts to stop them, in one battle they out maneuvered a Spanish force which included Winston Churchill [http://www.winstonchurchill.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=370]. Antonio Maceo died in battle but Calixto García escaped Spain and with his train of artillery including dynamite cannon [http://afi.com/members/catalog/AbbrView.aspx?s=1&Movie=30410] began to systematically drive the Spanish from eastern Cuba and by 1898, these Mambí forces controlled most of the eastern countryside and some towns. After landing in eastern Cuba and taking Santiago de Cuba in the Spanish-American War in 1998 the US occupied the island, until its independence was granted in 1902, though limited by the Platt Amendment. The US continued to have a major influence in Cuban affairs, even occupying Cuba again between 1906 and 1909. The Platt Amendment was revoked in 1934, but the lease of Guantánamo Bay, leased for a now nominal sum, was extended.

[[fi:Wikipedia:Vertaisarviointi]]

[[zh:Wikipedia:同行评审]]

In the first half of the 20th Century the Cuban circumstance reflected the world troubles of WWI, WWII. Internal Cuban conflicts were roughly comparable to the “Troubles in Ireland.” While “La Passionaria” and Franco killed many in Spain; Bela Khun in Hungary; Rosa Luxemberg and Hitler in Germany; Mussolini in Italy, and Russia's Lenin and Stalin committed horrors, these struggles were reflected in only much attenuated form in Cuba. The brief Chambelona War of 1917 was believed by some to have German influence. Stalin sent agents, and so did Franco. The “Green Shirts” of the ABC fought with leftist radicals. By the cruel international standards of the time, only the sad 1912 Race War and the struggle to oust Gerardo Machado elected president in 1925 turned dictator 1927-1933 produced noticeable levels of bloodshed. And yet progress was made, vast amounts of sugar were exported, industry grew; public works and good highways were built. And although often faulty, elections were held with some regularity. In 1940, as German Admiral Canaris’s dwarf spy freely walked Havana troubling US observers, Fulgencio Batista was elected for president and started idealistic reforms, but was voted out in 1944. In 1952 he seized power in an almost bloodless coup three months before the planned election and set up an oppressive dictatorship. As a result many guerrilla groups started opposing him.

In 1953, Fidel Castro attacked the Moncada barracks, was exiled to Mexico, but returned to Cuba on November 1956 with 82 fighters trained by Alberto Bayo (a former Spanish Republican Army Colonel), and with the help of a coalition of other resistance groups and generalized popular discontent managed to overthrow Batista, who fled the country, on 1 January 1959. Castro established a Soviet-leaning one party Communist state, the first in the Western Hemisphere, although Castro did not officially reveal his Marxist-Leninist leanings until 1961. At the time when Batista was deposed, 75% of Cuba's farmable land was said by Castro supporters to be owned by foreign individuals or foreign (mostly US) companies. The new revolutionary government adopted land reforms and confiscated all the private property owned by upper and middle class Cubans and foreign companies. As a result, relations with the United States rapidly deteriorated, although the U.S. recognized the new government and refused to host a government in exile by anti-Castro Cubans. At first, Castro was reluctant to discuss his plans for the future, but eventually he declared himself a [communism|communist]], explained that he was trying to build socialism in Cuba, focusing on free health care and education for all, and began close political and economic relations with the Soviet Union.

The Bay of Pigs invasion of April 1961 by U.S. backed Cuban expatriates failed to find support because of massive arrests of the opposition who lost heart when it became clear Brigade 2506 had been abandoned to its fate by a weak and vacillating president Kennedy. Also, the Soviet Union heard of the plans and warned Cuba, leading to arrests of those suspected of being likely to support a counter-revolution. U.S. president John F. Kennedy left the invaders stranded for fear of getting officially involved.

The Cuban Missile Crisis started with the Soviet Union secretly installing nuclear missiles in Cuba in 1962, saying it was to partly restore the nuclear balance. In response, the United States put up a blockade in international waters, not knowing that some Soviet submarines carried nuclear missiles. This is generally believed to be the closest the world ever came to a nuclear holocaust. The Soviet Union backed down, in return for a United States promise to remove nuclear missiles in Turkey and never to invade Cuba again. After this, the United States never openly threatened Cuba again, but did engage in covert activities to assassinate Castro, as well as sheltering and funding Castro opponents who carried out many violent attacks such as the 1976 bombing of Cubana Flight 455, killing 73;Cuban government web sources indicate these included the Cuban Armed Forces fencing team, senior Cuban Government officials; passengers of non-defined status from Guyana and a number of North Koreans, all apparently on the way to Africa, and beyond. Castro has often covertly purged those he considers threatening by such or similar incidents. Other activities were what the present Cuban government calls the "War Against the Bandits" generally believed have had some CIA support. This was a wide spread revolt among the country folk of the middle provinces from early in Castro’s time in power to about 1967. This revolt was eventually suppressed by massive force, executions, and internal deportations.

Castro cast a big shadow in the Cold War. In overt and covert operations, throughout much of the world, Cuban operatives and Cuban regulars did battle against US allies and US interests. In Angola there were tank battles. In Granada Cuban and US forces actually entered into combat. In Vietnam Cuban engineers help build the Ho Chi Min trail, and Cuban intelligence harshly interrogated US prisoners. When the Soviet Union stopped supplying funding much of this ceased for a while. However, more recently Cuban intelligence is once more active in the US as agents such as Ana Belen Montes and the Red Avispa Network are revealed to have penetrated US intelligence services. At present Castro and his ally Hugo Chavez have been busy through out Latin America.

In April 1980, over 10,000 Cubans stormed the Peruvian embassy in Havana seeking political and economic freedom. In response to this, Castro allowed anyone who desired to leave the country to do so through the port of Mariel. Under the Mariel boatlift, over 125,000 Cubans migrated to the United States. Eventually the United States stopped the flow of vessels and Cuba ended the exodus. Exodus continues on a smaller scale [http://www.babalublog.com/archives/balseros2.jpg] especially when Castro decides more repression is appropriate [http://www.cubanet.org/prisiones/documentos/ai_99.htm].

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 dealt Cuba a giant economic blow. This led to another exodus of asylum seekers to the United States in 1994, which was again stopped bilaterally by Cuba and the United States. The United States has over the years since Castro come to power progressively enacted legislation intended to isolate Cuba economically via the U.S. embargo and other measures, such as prosecuting U.S. citizens who travel to Cuba. The official Castro position is that this embargo is the cause of all Cuban ills. However, the Cuban government buys medicine and food in the US but must pay in cash. Accumulated Cuban debt (estimated at 5.4 billion) slows free trade with other countries.

== Politics ==

{{main|Politics of Cuba}}

* [[Elections in Cuba]]

* [[Republic of Cuba]]

* [[Human rights in Cuba]]

The Cuban constitution states that, "[t]he Communist Party of Cuba <nowiki>[…]</nowiki> is the superior guiding force of society and the state". Members of the [[Communist Party of Cuba]] are selected by the party in a thorough process that includes interviews with co-workers and neighbors. Those selected are considered model citizens. They are selected because they are viewed as strong supporters of the revolution. It makes recommendations concerning the future development of the revolution, and it criticizes tendencies it considers counterrevolutionary. It has a relatively large influence in Cuba, but its authority is moral, not legal.

The Communist Party of Cuba is not an electoral party; Laws and election of the 31 member Council of State (including the President), are carried out by the [[Cuban National Assembly|National Assembly]], who is in turn elected by the people. However, power is concentrated on the Cuban Communist Party, and the elections are not regaraded as free or fair by international civil rights organizations.

[[Fidel Castro]] has been the [[head of state]] and [[head of government]] since [[1959]], first as [[prime minister]] and, after the abolition of that office in [[1976]], as president of the Councils of State and Ministers. He is also a member of the National Assembly of People's Power from the municipality of [[Santiago de Cuba]] since 1976, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, and [[commander in chief]] of the armed forces.

The [[National Assembly of People's Power]] (''Asamblea Nacional del Poder Popular'') is the Cuban [[parliament]]. The Assembly is elected every five year and meets twice each year. Once established, it nominates and elects the Council of State including the President. The Council of State represents the National Assembly when it is not in session and is accountable for its actions to the National Assembly. The vast majority of candidates are members of the Communist Party compared to approximately 15 percent of the adult population. Critics of the Cuban government say this is because of the Communist Party's control over Cuba, while supporters say it shows that the Party has wide support among the populace.

Delegates are nominated by municipal assemblies and put to a yes/no vote; citizens are to vote for several candidates at both levels of government and may vote for none, some, or all of them. If the candidates do not receive more than 51% of the votes, new elections will be scheduled; however, near unanimous "unity" (yes for all candidate) votes are frequently reported.

In [[2001]], the [[Varela Project]], attempted to have a national [[plebiscite]] to add protections for human rights using provisions in the [[Constitution of Cuba]] which provided for [[initiative|citizen initiative]]. The [[petition]] was refused on technical grounds without a vote being allowed.

In [[March 2003]], the government of Cuba arrested dozens of people, and charged them with [[sedition]] due to alleged contacts with the head of the U.S. interest section in Havana, [[James Cason]] — contacts explicitly denied by him. In all, 75 were tried and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 15 to 28 years. [[Amnesty International]] described the closed-door trials as "hasty and manifestly unfair." [http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=10678]

Education

The University of Havana (Castro’s Alma Mater) was founded in 1728. By the 1950s the Cuban government had established other universities such as La Universidad de Oriente, and the La Universidad Central de Las Villas. There were a number of private universities, run by lay, Catholic, Mason and Protestant groups. By that time literacy rates approached 80%. However, most highly educated Cubans, perhaps a million plus, fled the island and re-established their lives elsewhere in Spain, Europe, and especially in the US, where these notably successful educated migrants quickly gained political and economic power.

According to [[UNESCO]] research, Cuba's primary school students have “almost twice as much knowledge” (sic) as the average student in the rest of Latin America. In a 1998 study by UNESCO, Cuban third and fourth graders were better educated in basic language and mathematics skills than children in all other Latin American countries that took part in a study. [http://fcis.oise.utoronto.ca/~daniel_schugurensky/assignment1/1998cuba.html]

All students regardless of age and gender wear school uniforms with the color denoting grade level.

== Healthcare ==

Castro has long made the promise of free, universal health care an important part of the case for his government. Cuba's healthcare system is widely regarded as one of the better in the non-developed world. However, like the rest of the Cuban economy, it suffered from severe material shortages following the end of Soviet subsidies. Support from the Venezuelan government of [[Hugo Chavez]] has alleviated those problems. Today, Cuba has over 20,000 health workers in Venezuela, with over 5,000 more spread around the world, as it views such missions an important part of its foreign policy. These health workers are not allowed to have their families travel with them, which anti-Castro observers charge is to insure the workers will return and not defect or escape. Like a number of countries, Cuba has developed a hospital system for health tourists, taking advantage of a combination of low labor costs (kept low through the suppression of emigration), an educated work force, and the ability of such tourists to pay in much desired hard currency for their care.

== Provinces ==

{{main|Provinces of Cuba}}

Cuba is divided into 14 provinces, and one special municipality (the [[Isla de la Juventud]]).

{| align=center

|colspan=4|[[Image:CubaSubdivisions.png]]

|-

|align=right|'''1'''

|colspan=3|[[Isla de la Juventud]] (''Isle of Youth'')

|-

|align=right|'''2'''

|[[Pinar del Río Province|Pinar del Río]]

|align=right|'''9'''

|[[Ciego de Ávila Province|Ciego de Ávila]]

|-

|align=right|'''3'''

|[[La Habana Province|La Habana]] (''Havana'')

|align=right|'''10'''

|[[Camagüey Province|Camagüey]]

|-

|align=right|'''4'''

|[[Ciudad de La Habana Province|Ciudad de la Habana]] (''Havana City'')

|align=right|'''11'''

|[[Las Tunas Province|Las Tunas]]

|-

|align=right|'''5'''

|[[Matanzas Province|Matanzas]]

|align=right| '''12'''

|[[Granma Province|Granma]]

|-

|align=right|'''6'''

|[[Cienfuegos Province|Cienfuegos]]

|align=right|'''13'''

|[[Holguín Province|Holguín]]

|-

|align=right|'''7'''

|[[Villa Clara Province|Villa Clara]]

|align=right|'''14'''

|[[Santiago de Cuba Province|Santiago de Cuba]]

|-

|align=right|'''8'''

|[[Sancti Spíritus Province|Sancti Spíritus]]

|align=right|'''15'''

|[[Guantánamo Province|Guantánamo]]

|}

== Geography ==

{{main|Geography of Cuba}}

[[Image:Cu-map.png|350px|thumb|Map of Cuba]]

* [[List of places in Cuba]]

The elongated island of Cuba is the largest island in the [[Caribbean]] and is bounded to the north by the [[Straits of Florida]] and the greater North [[Atlantic Ocean]], to the northwest by the [[Gulf of Mexico]], to the west by the [[Yucatan Channel]], to the south by the [[Caribbean Sea]], and to the east by the [[Windward Passage]]. The Republic comprises the entire island, including many outlying islands such as the [[Isla de la Juventud]] (Isle of Youth), previously known as the Isla de los Pinos (Isle of Pines). [[Guantánamo Bay]], is a naval base that has been leased by the [[United States]] since [[1903]], a lease that has been contested since [[1960]] by Castro.

The main island is the [[List of islands by size|world's 16th largest]]. The island consists mostly of flat to rolling plains, with more rugged hills and mountains primarily in the southeast and the highest point is the [[Pico Real del Turquino]] at 2,005 m. The local [[climate]] is tropical, though moderated by trade winds. There is a drier season from November to April, and a rainier season from May to October.

[[Havana]] is the largest city and capital; other major cities include [[Santiago de Cuba]] and [[Camagüey]]. Some of the well-known smaller towns are [[Baracoa]] which was the first Spanish settlement on Cuba, as well as [[Trinidad, Cuba|Trinidad]] and [[Bayamo]].

== Demographics ==

{{main|Demographics of Cuba}}

[[Image:Cuba-demography.png|300px|thumbnail|right|Cuba population in thousands(1961-2003)]]

According to the CIA's World Factbook, Cuba is 51% [[mulatto]] (mixed white and black), 37% [[whites|white]], 11% [[blacks|black]], and 1% [[overseas Chinese|Chinese]]. Cuba has historically been more heavily European than other Caribbean islands, and in 1950 was said to have a 75% white majority. It should be mentioned that between 1900 and 1930 close to a million white Spaniards arrived in the Island from Spain. It highlights the shock that Castro's rise to power had on the white upper class, a large portion of whom moved to [[Florida]] in the 1960s and 1970s. Also, economic shock caused their birthrate to fall precipitously, even as the poorer black and mulatto populations soared. This is not hard to understand when one considers that the white population was 4 million during the second half of the twentieth century (with low birthrates and heavy emigration), while blacks and mulattos increased from 1.5 million to over 6 million, very similar to the growth in the predominately black and mulatto [[Dominican Republic]].

The Chinese population in Cuba derives mostly from Chinese sent to Cuba during the 19th century to build railroads and work in the mines, as was also occurring in the United States at this time. Once the work was completed, however, most of them could not afford the passage back to China and remained in the Island. Historical papers show that, while considered inferior to Cubans of European descent, they were considered to be superior to blacks because they had lighter skin.

In Cuba there is little [[racism|racial tension]] in the attitude of people towards each other. Still, in [[Santiago de Cuba]] there is a sizeable [[Jamaica]]n population that suffers from an image of being lazy. Also, lighter skinned people often have 'higher' jobs (although in socialist Cuba this does not translate in a high difference in income). The melting pot is expressed not only in a racial sense, but also in religion (see below) and the [[music of Cuba]].

Cuba has the lowest birthrate of any Latin American or Caribbean country, perhaps influenced by its socialist government's policy of free health care and abortion, which was similar to the situation in Eastern Europe. The current fertility rate of about 1.6 children per woman is the lowest of any country in the [[western hemisphere]] save Canada. The infant mortality rate in Cuba is down to 5.8 per thousand births. (''[http://www.unicef.org/publications/files/SOWC_2005_(English).pdf State of the World's Children 2005]'')

== Economy ==

{{main|Economy of Cuba}}

Cuba's socialist economy is based on [[state ownership]] with some small scale private enterprise existing. Hiring labor, however, is not allowed, on the theory that private employment will lead to worker exploitation. For 2005, 68% of the state budget spending is to be directed to raising the levels of education, public health, social security, culture, sports and science and technology. [http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2004/diciembre/vier24/01presup.html] According to Cuban government statistics.

Historically, [[sugar]], [[tobacco]] and (later) [[nickel]] were the main sources of income for Cuba. But in the 1990s [[tourism]] saw an explosive growth. In [[1993]] the [[United States dollar|U.S. dollar]] was made legal tender (the country operated under a dual-currency system); this arrangement was, however, revoked on [[25 October]] [[2004]]. At that time, use of the dollar in business was officially banned, and a 10% surcharge was introduced for the conversion of dollars to convertible pesos, the island's new official currency. Other currencies, including the [[euro]], were not affected. See details at [http://www.globalpolicy.org/nations/sovereign/dollar/2004/1026cubadollar.htm the Ludwig Van Mises Institute].

The Cuban economy was hit hard in the early 1990s following the collapse of the [[Soviet Union]] and the [[Comecon]] economic bloc, with which it had traded predominantly. For several decades, Cuba received what was effectively a [[Soviet]] [[subsidy]], whereby Cuba provided the Soviet Union with [[sugar]] and the Soviets provided Cuba with [[petroleum]] at unrealistic prices. In response, Cuba opened up to tourism, which is now a major source of income.

Since 2003, both tourism levels and nickel prices increased. One other factor in the recovery of the Cuban economy is the remittances from Cuban-Americans (which constitute almost 3% of the Cuban Economy, by some estimates). However, Cuba owes billions in [[Paris Club]] debt to nations such as France, Japan and Germany.

Cuba currently trades with almost every nation in the world, albeit with restrictions from the [[United States embargo against Cuba|U.S. embargo]]. Any company that deals with Cuba is barred from dealing with the United States, so internationally operating companies are forced to choose between Cuba and the United States, which is a much bigger market. This extraterritorial U.S. legislation is considered highly controversial, and the U.S. embargo was condemned for the 13th time in [[2004]] by the [[General Assembly]] of the [[United Nations]], by 179 countries (out of 183). The main current trading partners of Cuba are: [[Spain]], [[Venezuela]], the [[Netherlands]] and [[Canada]]. As China normalises relations with the Caribbean, China may also become a more important Cuban trading partner.

[[Image:Cuba cienfuegos palacio azul.jpg|thumb|300px|A Cuban state hotel (35 convertible pesos per night)]]

Although U.S. citizens are not officially banned from travelling to Cuba, they are generally prohibited from spending money there (exceptions are made for students studying in Cuba, diplomats, and people with family members in Cuba), which amounts to a ''[[de facto]]'' travel ban, as Cuba requires that foreign visitors spend a minimum of three nights in a hotel; moreover, the only direct flights from the United States are strictly for those with family members in Cuba. Nevertheless, U.S. citizens can visit Cuba by travelling through other countries (like [[Mexico]], [[Canada]] or the [[Bahamas]]) because Cuban immigration does not stamp the passports (the visum is a separate leaflet). However, U.S. citizens are liable to fines if discovered and prosecuted by the U.S. government, although it has been reported that U.S. authorities are not overly strict with this.

Although struggling with its economy since the fall of the Soviet Union, Cuba has seen substantial improvements since the early 1990s. The economy has been helped in recent years by strong tourism, international investment in nickel production and oil exploration as well as beneficial oil purchases from Venezuela, in exchange for medical services.

A major problem is damage from [[hurricanes]]. In 2004, [[Hurricane Charley]], ([[August 12]]) caused an estimated 1 billion dollars economic damage, followed by [[Hurricane Ivan]] ([[September 13]]). In [[2005]], [[Hurricane Dennis]] ([[July 8]]) struck south-central Cuba. This is a problem that all [[Caribbean]] islands suffer from and an argument Castro uses to urge the islands to cooperate, promoting an agreement that is a sort of international insurance, so that if one island gets hit the other islands will help it out. He says that if the United States get hit, the economy of the rest of the country will take the blow (although that was slow to start up when [[hurricane Katrina]] hit), but if a Caribbean island gets hit, that may devastate the entire economy.

Over 7,300 homes have been completed in 2005. During the remaining months of this year the majority of homes partially affected by Hurricane Dennis will be repaired. No less than 10,000 of the homes destroyed will be built again as new and the plans to finish and construct new homes to cover the most urgent requirements will continue, up to at least 30,000 additional housing.

Cuba is notable for its national [[organic farming|organic agriculture]] initiative. In the early 1990s, post-Soviet Union, Cuba lost over 70% of agricultural chemical imports, over 50% of food imports, and an equally significant amount of oil. Its agricultural sector, built on a large-scale, mechanized, chemical-based model, was instantly crippled. By restructuring its agricultural industry, and focusing scientific efforts on organic solutions, Cuba managed to rapidly and successfully convert the country to entirely organic production. Currently, only organic agriculture is permitted by law. Today, Cuba is a leading nation in [[biotechnology]].

On a total population of 11 million, Cuba has 250,000 educators, 67,500 medical doctors, and 34,000 physical education and sports professors and technicians.[http://www.embacubalebanon.com/discurso05apr2001e.html]

== Culture ==

[[image:cuba_habana_vieja_casa_de_simon_bolivar.jpg|thumb|300px|The courtyard of one of the free museums in Havana, the 'Casa de Simón Bolívar']]

{{main|Culture of Cuba}}

* [[List of Cubans]]

* [[Music of Cuba]]

* [[Cuban cinema]]

* [[Public holidays in Cuba]]

Cuban culture is much influenced by the fact that it is a [[melting pot]] of cultures, mostly from Spain and Africa. It has produced its fair share of literature, including the output of non-Cuban [[Ernest Hemingway]]. But best known is Cuban music, the most central form of which is [[Son (music)|Son]], which has been the basis of many other musical styles like [[salsa]]. [[Cha-cha-cha|chachachá]] was invented to make it possible for 'Yankees' to dance to Cuban music. A musical instrument invented in Cuba is the [[Tres]].

==Religion==

{{main3|Santería|Palo Monte|Catholicism}}

The religious landscape of Cuba is strongly marked by [[syncretism]]s of various kinds. In the post-revolutionary era religious practice was discouraged, and Cuba, from 1962, was officially an atheist state until 1992 which it amended its constitution to become formally a secular state. While the papal visit to Cuba has strengthened official Catholicism, most Cubans share a motley of faiths that include popular Catholicism, over 50 versions of Protestantism, spiritism, African-derived beliefs. The most important currents of these are [[Lucumí|Regla de Ocha]] (known as Santería), which derives from [[Yoruba]]n religion, [[Palo Monte|Regla de Palo Monte]], which derives from [[Congo]]-based religions, and the [[Abakuá|Sociedad Secreta Abakuá]], which derives from the secret men's societies in the region of [[Calabar]], in south-eastern Nigeria.

It is assumed that Santería and popular Catholicism are the most widely followed religious beliefs in Cuba, though these are by no means exclusive, and one can easily be a follower of several religious currents at the same time, as well as being a member of the communist party. [[Pentecostal]]ism is also growing rapidly, and the [[Assemblies of God]] alone claims a membership of over 100,000 people.

Cuba once had a small but vibrant [[Jew]]ish population, and Havana still has one or two active synagogues.

[[freemasons|Freemasonry]] is also practised (although this is not a religion).

In Cuba [[6 January]] is the "Día de los Reyes Magos" which in English means "Day of Kings" is celebrated to commemorate the day that the [[Magi|Three Wise Men]] came to visit Jesus according to the [[Gospel]]s. As in most Latin American countries as well as Spain, this day is celebrated in conjunction with, or sometimes instead of Christmas Day.

Important religious festivals include various days dedicated to the saints such as the "Virgen de la [[Caridad del Cobre]]" (the Virgin of Cobre, Cuba's patron saint, syncretised with Santería's [[Ochún]]) on [[September 8]], and ''San Lázaro'' ([[Lazarus]]) (syncretised with [[Babalu Ayé]]), on [[December 17]].

==See also==

*[[Communications in Cuba]]

*[[Cuba Coalition]]

*[[Foreign relations of Cuba]]

*[[List of Cuban newspapers]]

*[[Military of Cuba]]

*[[Transportation in Cuba]]

*[[Women in Cuba]]

== External links ==

{{Commons|Category:Cuba}}

*[http://wikitravel.org/en/article/Cuba Wikitravel Guide] &mdash; Wikitravel visiting guide

===General===

*[http://cuba.alivepages.com Information about Cuba] &mdash; Culture, history, demography, geography, religion, etc.

*[http://www.webhavana.com/CubaMaps/index.php Cuba Maps] &mdash; Maps of all the provinces of Cuba, and maps of the major cities.

*[http://www.cubamusic.biz Cubamusic] &mdash; All about Cuban music

*[http://www.cubanet.org/cubanews.html CUBANET] &mdash; News articles from Cuba's independent journalists and a digest of Cuban news by international newspapers

*[http://www.cubaencuentro.com Encuentro en la Red] &mdash; Independent news and cultural site on Cuban matters

*[http://www.antanlontan-antilles.com/caribbean-postcards/cuba.htm Discover Cuba through a collection of old Photos & Vintage Postcards.]

*[http://www.cuba-pictures.com/ Cuba Pictures] Photos from all 14 Cuban provinces, plus the city of Havana

*[http://www.kuba-cuba.com/english.html Link guide to Cuba.] Discover Cuba through a collection of sorted links.

*[http://www.cubaaidsproject.com Cuba AIDS Project] HIV and AIDS in Cuba

*[http://www.infidels.org/library/historical/robert_ingersoll/spain_and_spaniard.html Spain and the Spaniard] A contemporary opinion of the Cuban uprising

*[http://hdr.undp.org/statistics/data/country_fact_sheets/cty_fs_CUB.html UN HDI] &mdash; Human Development Index for Cuba from UN

*[http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/1033/ IFEX] &mdash; Freedom of expression in Cuba from [[IFEX]]

*[http://www.quaylargo.com/Productions/McCelvey.html/ The Electoral process in Cuba] &mdash; Democracy in Cuba

*[http://www.state.gov/p/wha/ci/c2461.htm U.S. Department of State] &mdash; Cuba, from the U.S. government's point of view

*[http://www.mi-cuba.de.to The Infoportal of Cuba] A lot of Informations in English, French and German

*[http://www.cubanet.org/ref/dis/const_92_e.htm The Cuban Constitution]

===Official===

*''[http://www.granma.cu/ingles/index.html Granma]'' &mdash; Communist Party of Cuba Newspaper (in English)

*[http://www.cubagob.cu/ingles/default.htm Republic of Cuba] &mdash; (in English)

*[http://www.cubapolidata.com/gpc/gpc_council_of_state.html List of members of the Council of State]

*[http://www.plenglish.com.mx Prensa Latina] &mdash; Cuban World News (in English)

*[http://www.ain.cubaweb.cu/idioma/ingles/principalingles.htm Cuban News Agency] &mdash; Cuban News (in English)

===Opposition===

*[http://www.canf.org/2004/principal-ingles.htm CANF] &mdash; Cuban-American National Foundation, the largest political party of Cubans in exile

*[http://www.bosnewslife.com/article/2/1/2/21/2.aspx Details the Cuban dissident situation]

*[http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/MHEC Movimiento Humanista Evolucionario Cubano (Cuban Evolutionary Humanist Movement)]

*[http://nocastro.com No Castro nor his regime] &mdash; the website of anti-Castro opposition

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