Climate: Cuba has a moderate subtropical climate and is just below the Tropic of Cancer. Being long and narrow, on an East-West axis, it is cooled by trade winds and sea breezes.

Temperature:

Seasons: There are only two clearly defined seasons in Cuba: the dry season, from November through April, and the rainy season, from May through October.

Mountain Ranges: There are three large mountain ranges: the Sierra de los Organos, in the West; the Sierra del Escambray, in the middle of the country; and the Sierra Maestra, in the southern part of eastern Cuba, with the highest point in the country being Turquino Peak, 1,974 m (6476 ft) above sea level. It's longest river is El Cauto, stretching for 250 km (155 miles).

Wildlife: There are no animals or plants harmful to man. There are approximately 900 fish species, most of them edible; 300 birds, thousands of mollusks and insects and the smallest animal species in the world: the sapito (Sminthillus limbatus) and the hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae). There are more than 8,000 plant species, half of them endemic. Cuba's sea flora and fauna rank among the most beautiful and best preserved in the world.

2nd War of Independence (The Spanish American War): On December 12, 1889 a peace treaty was signed by the Spanish and Americans in Paris ending the "Spanish American" War. The Cubans were not invited!

In 1897 William Randolf Hearst instructed his reporter in Cuba "Please remain. You furnish the pictures and I'll furnish the war". In January, the battleship Maine was sent to Havana and on February 15, it mysteriously blew up in Havana Harbor killing 266 sailors (the Captain and most of his officers were on shore). On May 28, Teddy Roosevelt (reportedly) led the US troops up San Juan Hill in Santiago de Cuba and defeated the Spanish leading to the Spanish surrender on July 17, 1898. Cuban General Calixto Garcia and his men were forbidden to enter Santiago de Cuba.

Today, just a short walk from the Hotel San Juan is a brass plaque stating:
"In 1898 the victory was won through the decisive support given to the US Army by the Cuban Army of Liberation under the command of its Lieutenant General, Calixto Garcia. Therefore, this war must not be called the Spanish American War but the Spanish-Cuban-American War.
Resolution adopted by the 2nd National Historical Congress 1942. Enforced by law of the Republic of Cuba May 16, 1945."

State and Government: The highest body of government in the Republic of Cuba is the National Assembly of the People's Power or Parliament, represented by the Council of State. It consists of provincial, municipal and local bodies. The Council of Ministers is the executive arm of the Council of State.

Language: Spanish is the official language. However, some English is spoken at almost all hotels and tourist destinations.

National Flower: The white mariposa or butterfly jasmine.

National Bird: The Tocororo or Cuban Trogan (Priotelus temnurus).

National Tree: The royal palm.

Population: Cuba's population of 11 million consists of descendants of Spaniards, Africans and Asians.

Capital: City of Havana, with almost 3 million inhabitants.

Political-Administrative For political and administrative purposes, Cuba is divided into 14 provinces and a special municipality. From West to East, the provinces are Pinar del Rio, Havana, City of Havana, Matanzas, Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila, Camaguey, Las Tunas, Holguin, Granma, Santiago de Cuba and Guantanamo. The special Municipality of the Isle of Youth lies south of Havana Province.

Economy: Tourism has just recently replaced sugar cane as Cuba's leading money earner. Other important industries include cigars, nickel, rum, coffee and more recently, pharmaceutical and biotechnological production.

Education: Education is free at all levels and compulsory until secondary schooling. Illiteracy was eradicated in 1961 and the people are generally highly trained.

Health: Healthcare services are free in Cuba for Cuban nationals with one of the most comprehensive primary health care programs in the world and the lowest infant mortality rate in Latin America.

Sports: Cuban sports since 1959 have been marked by excellent Olympic results, an outstanding standing in the world of athletics, mass participation and free practice. Baseball is the de facto national sport.

Culture: Cuba is rich in artistic expressions and creative people, and has contributed to world culture by way of outstanding writers, thinkers, dancers, musicians, painters, poets and singers. The Cuban cultural infrastructure consists of theaters, museums, art galleries and movie theaters where national and international art of all kinds are shown. Cuba hosts many major international events, such as the Ballet Festival, the biennial art exhibitions, folk music festivals, the New Latin American Film Festival, etc.

Religion: Cuba allows freedom of religion. Catholicism and Afro-Cuban rituals are the most prominent religions, although there are other tendencies and sects.

Currency Info: The national monetary unit is the Cuban peso. Non-residents use the convertible peso/tourist dollar (CUC) with $1.00 CUC = $1.08 USD (as of April 9, 2005). Virtually all goods available to non-residents are marked in CUC. More Info

Purchases in Cuba: Prices are listed in CUC (convertible pesos/tourist dollars) at tourist facilities and other establishments. MasterCard, Visa, CABAL and BFI, not drawn on US banks, are honored in Cuba. Recently even some British credit cards that outsource their services to US firms have also been restricted for use in Cuba. It's best to check with your credit card company before departure. Please view details of the latest information on Cuban currency.

The Amigo Travel Card allows you to deposit a lump sum prior to departure and then draw down on that balance while traveling in Cuba. You can use the card in many establishments for meals, hotel bills, car rentals, cash advances at any BFI bank or Cadeca change counter in Cuba.
[Amigo Travel Card Site]

Customs Regulations: For the most current customs information visit www.aduana.islagrande.cu. Besides personal items, medicines, books & articles for teaching purposes, in general the traveler can import articles for non-commercial purposes up to a limit in value of $1000 pesos, of which the first $50 pesos are exempt from the payment of import duty, and for the rest (from $51 to $1000 pesos) he/she must pay the applicable import duties. Cuban residents pay the duty in national currency, and all residents in other countries pay the import levy in Cuban Convertible Pesos.

Immigration: You must have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry into Cuba and evidence of return passage is a required prior to entry. If you have a one-way ticket, you will have to purchase a return ticket before entering Cuba. You're also required to have a visa or tourist card unless you're from a country with a visa waiving agreement Cuba, or were born in Cuba. Tourist visas are generally provided with flights, but may also be purchased from the Cuban Consulate (or Cuban Interests Section) nearest you, or directly from Cuban Immigration for $25 CUC upon arrival. Tourist visas are valid for 30 days, extendable for another 30 days locally in Cuba with Immigration (with purchase of stamps and evidence of outgoing passage). The same tourist visa is valid for 90 days for Canadian citizens, extendable for another 90 days locally in Cuba with Immigration (with purchase of stamps and evidence of outgoing passage). Business or journalist visas should be requested in advance from the Cuban Consulate (or Cuban Interests Section) nearest you. Travelers born in Cuba must travel to Cuba on a Cuban passport, regardless of any other nationality or citizenship obtained after birth. We urge all travelers to consult with the nearest Cuban Embassy, consulate or Interests Sections for clarification regarding immigration regulations.

Electric Power: The electric current in general use is 110 volts, 60Hz. Some hotel facilities also have 220 volts. It's best to inquire about the specific properties you'll be staying at prior to departure.