Cuba, it’s not what you’d expect. The streets hum with old cars, the kind your grandparents might’ve driven. They say Cuba’s been stuck in time in a way, kind of like a history lesson on wheels…
Is it also true that every Cuban knows how to dance salsa?
To learn more fun facts about Cuba and see if the stereotypes hold up, check out the full article. You might just find a few new destinations for your bucket list.
Cuba is The Largest Island in the Caribbean
Cuba comprises about 109,884 square kilometers and is the largest island in the Caribbean.
The island lies south of the U.S., east of Mexico, and is part of the Greater Antilles. The country includes the main island, the island of Isla de la Juventud, and many smaller islands in proximity.
Classic American Cars Are Everywhere
Cuba has many old American cars from the 1940s and 1950s. Trade limits after the Cuban Revolution made it hard to get new cars or parts. These cars are fixed with local materials and used for daily transport, taxis, and tourism.
Cuba’s interesting facts, from its unique culture to its streets lined with classic American cars, all show how Cuba’s economy and politics have shaped everyday life.
Photo by Yuting Gao
Cuban Cigars Are World-Famous
Cuban cigars are famous for their excellence, made from tobacco grown in regions such as Vuelta Abajo in Pinar del Rio. They are hand-rolled by skilled workers, using traditional methods passed down through generations.
Cuba’s unique climate and fertile soil are key to achieving some of the finest tobacco in the world.
Cuban cigars are sold in many countries of the world but have restrictions in many due to trade regulations. Cohiba, Montecristo, and Partagás rank among the best in the industry.
Photo by Yuting Gao
Cuba Is the Birthplace of Salsa
Cuba is the birthplace of salsa music and dance, which originated by mixing Afro-Cuban traditions with son, rumba, jazz, and other styles. It began in the mid-1900s and spread worldwide, especially through Cuban exiles and Latin music in the US.
Salsa is known for its fast rhythms, energetic dance moves, and the use of instruments like congas bongos and trumpets.
Cuba Is Home to The Smallest Bird: The Bee Hummingbird
One of the most fun facts about Cuba is that it’s home to the Bee Hummingbird, considered the smallest bird in the world. It measures approximately 5 to 6 centimeters long and weighs 1.6 to 2 grams.
This tiny bird is found in the forests and coastal regions of Cuba. It feeds on nectar from flowers; as such, it helps in the pollination process of plants. To hover while feeding, this bird must flap its wings rapidly, a remarkable feat that allows it to stay suspended in the air as it gathers nectar.
Photo by James Wainscoat on Unsplash
Cuba Has a High Literacy Rate
Cuba has a high literacy rate, thanks to the government’s investment in education. After the 1959 revolution, a national literacy campaign in 1961 helped teach reading and writing in cities and rural areas. This campaign cut illiteracy to almost zero.
Another interesting fact about Cuba is that education is free at all levels, which helps keep the literacy rate above 99%.
Cuba Offers Free Universal Healthcare
Cuba offers free universal healthcare to all its citizens, with the government fully funding the system. The Cuban healthcare system focuses on prevention and local services. Likewise, hospitals, clinics, and special centers are staffed by trained professionals at no cost to Cuban residents.
Cuba’s health system prioritizes public well-being. Also sends medical help to other countries through programs that send doctors abroad.
Ernest Hemingway Lived in Cuba For 20 Years
Did you know the fun fact that Ernest Hemingway lived in Cuba for nearly two decades? He lived in Finca Vigía from 1939 to 1960, in a house not too far from Havana. During this period he wrote some of his most famous works such as The Old Man and the Sea and parts of For Whom the Bell Tolls.
Hemingway took some ideas from the Cubans, their culture, and the island’s natural beauty. Besides, he was seen pretty frequently at several Havana bars, such as El Floridita and La Bodeguita del Medio. His connection with Cuba remains an important aspect of his legacy.
Photo by Richard Hedrick on Unsplash
Cuba Has 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Cuba is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Some of them are located in Old Havana, Trinidad, the Castle San Pedro de la Roca, and Viñales Valley.
In the country’s listing of natural parks are Alejandro de Humboldt and Desembarco del Granma National Parks. These sites are key in the history of Cuba, its architecture, and nature. They also are vital to Cuba’s cultural identity and ecological preservation.
Cuban Coffee Has A Strong Flavor
Cuban coffee is prepared as a strong and rich espresso with a little milk and sugar added. It is often called “cafecito” or “cortadito.”
Traditionally produced from Arabica beans grown in the Sierra Maestra and other regions.
During its preparation, sugar is mixed into the coffee while it brews, giving it a special taste. In Cuba, coffee is an important part of people’s social and cultural life. In fact, Cubans often gather over a cup to chat and connect.
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
Baseball is Cuba’s National Sport
Baseball is Cuba’s national sport. It was introduced in this country by students and workers coming from the United States in the decade of the 1860s. The sport quickly gained popularity and was thereby attached to Cuban culture.
The Cuban National Series is the premier league of the country and most of the athletes achieve international recognition and compete at the global level.
Another interesting fact about Cuban baseball is that it was a symbol of resistance during the struggle for independence from Spanish rule. Cuban rebels adopted it as a way to unify and express their opposition to colonial authority.
Old Havana is A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Old Havana or La Habana Vieja is one of the cities declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Cuba. Founded in 1519, it was a key Spanish port during the colonial era. The area is filled with colonial buildings, including plazas such as Plaza de la Catedral and landmarks like El Capitolio and Castillo de la Real Fuerza.
Its restoration keeps alive the feeling of the past. Indeed, Old Havana is the focal point in Cuban history and tourism.
Cuba Uses Several Currencies
Cuba uses several currencies, with the Cuban Peso (CUP) being the main currency for most transactions.
Before 2021, Cuba had two currencies: the Cuban Peso (CUP) and the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC), but the CUC was removed as part of an economic reform.
MLC (Moneda Libremente Convertible) a digital currency backed by foreign currencies (such as the USD or Euro) was introduced in that year. It can be used in certain stores, mainly for foreign visitors or selling imported goods.
- Another fun fact about Cuba’s economy is that in 1993, the Cuban government banned the use of the US dollar as part of its strategy to control inflation and reduce dependency on foreign currency.
Photo by Ricardo IV Tamayo on Unsplash
Cuba Is Famous for Its Revolutionary History
Cuba has a very complicated history, from the Spanish colonization to the world-famous Cuban revolution.
For example, in 1898, the Spanish-American War ended Spanish rule over Cuba, transferring control to the United States. Then, in 1959, Fidel Castro led the Cuban Revolution, overthrowing Batista’s government and steering the country toward a socialist state. These events altered the course of politics, the economy, and society for all Cubans.
Cuba Is A One-Party Socialist Republic
Cuba is a one-party socialist republic run by the Communist Party. The political system is based on socialist principles with state control of major industries and resources.
While elections occur for local, provincial, and national assemblies, only candidates from the Communist Party are eligible to run. The system focuses on state planning, as well as access to healthcare and education for all citizens.
Cuba’s Beaches Rank Among the World’s Best
Cuba is internationally renowned for its great beaches with Varadero Beach, located on the Hicacos Peninsula, being one of the most famous and popular. It has long stretches of white sandy shores and clear turquoise waters, making it a top destination for beach lovers.
Other famous examples include Playa Pilar in Cayo Guillermo, Guardalavaca in Holguín, and Playa Ancón near the historic town of Trinidad.
They offer excellent conditions for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. Also, the coral reefs surrounding many of these areas make them popular spots for underwater exploration, adding to Cuba’s reputation as a beach and water sports paradise.
Photo by Nikko Tang on Unsplash
The Cuban Flag Has Deep Symbolism
Here are more interesting facts about Cuba: its flag is rich with symbolism. The Cuban flag has three blue stripes representing the island’s historical divisions into three regions: Western, Central, and Eastern Cuba.
The two white stripes mean purity of ideals, such as justice and liberty. A red triangle at the flag’s hoist stands for liberty, equality, and the fight for independence.
Inside the triangle, the white star, known as the “Star of Freedom”, stands for freedom and the unity of the Cuban people in their struggle for independence.
Cuba Has a Rich History in Literature
Cuba has a strong literary history shaped by its culture and politics. José Martí is famous for his poetry and role in Cuba’s fight for independence. Nicolás Guillén wrote about Afro-Cuban life. While Alejo Carpentier focused on Cuban identity and magic realism in his books. Cuban literature often shows the social and historical events of the time.
Che Guevara’s Iconic Image Is Everywhere
Che Guevara’s image is one of the most iconic symbols of the Cuban Revolution and socialism in Cuba. It appears on murals, posters, and the three-peso note.
The famous image of Che, taken by photographer Alberto Korda, is a symbol not only of his role in the Cuban Revolution but also of revolutionary ideals, resistance, social justice, and anti-imperialism.
Cuba is full of fun facts, like how the Che Guevara Mausoleum in Santa Clara not only honors his legacy but also serves as a place where his remains are preserved.
Photo by Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz
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