National composition of Cuba.  Cuba: History, Language, Seas, Culture, Population, Cuban Embassies, Currency, Attractions, Flag, Cuban Anthem - TraveLife

The Republic of Cuba is a state located in the northern part of the Caribbean Sea. The country includes the Greater Antilles, the island of Youth, as well as many small islands. From North America the island is separated by the Florida and Yucatan Straits. In 1945 Cuba became a member of the UN. Havana is the island's capital and largest city.

In this article, an interested traveler can find answers to such questions and get acquainted with the following topics: where is Cuba, population and demography in the country, economy and interesting facts about the population of Cuba, the nationality of the inhabitants of the republic.

State Description

Cuba is an island with a predominantly flat relief. Only a third of the country is occupied by hills and mountains. The highest point of the state is Turkino Peak, about 1974 m.

The climate on the island is tropical, trade wind. average temperature per year is +25.5. January is the most cold month. During this period, the temperature is about +22.5. August is considered the hottest month on the island. Usually the temperature reaches +28. The rainy season falls between May and September. The drought usually starts from October to April. The air here is very humid throughout the year. Residents flee from the heat on the seashore.

The state with its beauty, warmth and hospitality attracts every year a large number of tourists. Every traveler can find here white beaches, crystal clear turquoise water, reefs of extraordinary beauty, as well as an exotic underwater world.

the most beautiful and big resort The country is considered to be Varadero. The length of its beach is 20 km. To the west of Havana is the tourist center - Soroa. There is a horticultural center for breeding orchids. It is the second largest in the world. Huventud is one of the most beautiful places in the state. Blooming all year round evergreen vegetation attracts a large number of visitors. Everyone who visits Cuba will be delighted with its beauty and will want to come again.

Population for 2016

According to statistics, the population of Cuba at the end of 2016 amounted to 11 million 417 147 inhabitants. During the year, the population increased by about 16 thousand 417 inhabitants. Considering that at the beginning of the year the population of Cuba was 11 million 400 730 people, the annual increase in the state was 0.14%. The population of Cuba (description, number for 2016) is represented by the following data:

• in just a year, 119 thousand 822 people were born;
• 87 thousand 330 people died;
• 32,492 inhabitants is population growth;
• -16 thousand 075 people is the number of migration growth;
• according to data at the end of 2016, 5 million 742 226 are males;
• according to data at the end of 2016, the female population is 5 million 674 921.

The population of Cuba: the number for 2017

According to current forecasts, in 2017 the number of inhabitants in the state will increase by 16 thousand 441 people and will be equal to 11 million 433 thousand 588 inhabitants. There is also a positive natural population growth throughout the year, it will amount to 32 thousand 539 inhabitants. According to demographers' forecasts, about 119,994 people will be born during the year, and 87,455 people will die.

The population will change by -16 thousand 098 inhabitants due to migration if the migration rate remains the same as in 2016. The number of people leaving this year will be greater than the number of long-term residents. The population of Cuba for 2017 is characterized by the following data:

• about 329 babies a day will be born;
• about 240 people per day will die;
• -44 persons/day is the migration growth of the population;
• for 45 people the population will increase daily.

Population density and age groups

To calculate the population density, you need to know the total area of ​​​​the territory and the number of people who live in the state. According to the statistics of the UN Department, the area of ​​​​the entire territory of Cuba is 110 thousand 860 km². During the calculations, not only the territory of the land is taken into account, but also water surfaces are considered. At the beginning of 2017, the number of inhabitants in the country was 11 million 417 147 people. Based on these data, in 2017 the population density in the state was about 103 people per km².

According to estimates for 2017, the population of Cuba can be divided into 3 age groups. Age distribution:

• about 1 million 972 769 people - these are people under 15 years old, where 1 million 013 843 are men and 958 812 are women;
• people aged 14 to 65 make up 8 million 113 596 people, where 4 million 064 504 people. - these are men, and 4 million 049 091 are women;
• population over 64 years old is about 1 million 330 783, where 601 113 are men and 729 670 are women.

Cuba is a country of a regressive type, and is a state with a high level of medicine.

Life expectancy of citizens

The life expectancy of a state is a demographic indicator that shows the average number of years of life of people in a state. In the country, the average age of residents is about 78 years. This is above average life expectancy worldwide. According to UN analytical data, the average age in all countries is 71 years.

In the state, the male population has a life expectancy of 76 years. The average life expectancy of the female population is up to 80 years.

Education of residents

According to analytical calculations, somewhere around 9 million 417 196 inhabitants over the age of 15 can read and write. This is about 99.71% of the total number of people over 15 years old. About 27 thousand 182 inhabitants remain illiterate.

The literacy rate of the male population over 15 years old is 4 million 649 474 people, about 99.65%. Approximately 16 thousand 143 men remain illiterate. Among the female population, the level of education is 99.77%, which is about 4 million 767 722 women. About 11,039 women cannot read or write. Among young people aged 15 to 24, the overall literacy rate is 99.89%, where 99.87% are men and 99.91% are women.

The population of Cuba: peoples and nationalities

The Arawak Indians lived on the island: Siboney, Guanatabey and Taino. But in the eighteenth century, as soon as the Spaniards captured Cuba, the invaders began to exterminate the native Cubans. But because of the need for slaves to work on the plantations, the Spaniards brought labor from Asia, Indians from Central and South America, and slaves from Africa.

Throughout the history of Cuba, emigrants from Germany, Spain, England, and also from France settled on its territory. In the twentieth century, a large number of Americans moved to the island. The population of Cuba by race is represented by the following groups:

• about 51% are mulattoes;
• 37% are residents of European countries;
• 11% - Africans;
• 1% of Cuba is inhabited by Chinese.

Today, Cubans honor the traditions of their ancient ancestors and are proud of their Indian past. Although Spanish is the official language on the island, there are many Indian words in it.

State economy

How does the population of Cuba live, different nationalities and ethnic groups? Cuba is considered an agro-industrial state. True, the majority of citizens are still employed in the service sector (64.4%), three times less (21.2%) - in agriculture. 14.4% of Cubans work in industry.

The country's economy is the most nationalized in the world. Today, the state's economy is very dependent on the price of sugar, as well as tobacco and nickel on the world stage. In GDP, a significant share is still occupied by the service sector - 68%. Industry and agriculture account for 26% and 5% respectively.

Already in the eighties, the country began to actively develop international tourism. The authorities carried out the reconstruction of all tourist facilities and carried out a powerful advertising campaign. In 1992, about 500 thousand Europeans visited Cuba, and in 2003 there were about two million tourists. Until 2020, the authorities plan to attract up to seven million tourists a year.

In the country, medicine is at the highest level, and the prices for medical services are low. Everything for the inhabitant of the island medical service done for free.

Cuba is world famous for its tobacco, rum and sugar cane. The island of freedom is the second name of the state, which allows you to conduct an effective advertising campaign in the field of tourism. Since today Cuba is a very popular tourist destination, everyone will be interested to know the population of Cuba itself, interesting facts about the state. Here is a list of the most unusual of them:

1. Despite the high education of citizens, the education system is considered weak.
2. Mixed marriages are not at all welcomed and condemned here.
3. Cubans love dogs, so every house has a furry friend.
4. About $20 a month is the average salary of an official.
5. Cuban houses without windows.
6. Since Cuba is implementing national energy savings, grills, toasters and electric kettles were banned until recently.
7. Very expensive cellular, somewhere around $1 a minute.
8. Cubans don't like cats.
9. Access to the Internet is limited, only about 12% of citizens have the opportunity to connect to the World Wide Web.
10. Residents of the country live longer than residents of the United States.
11. There are no poisonous plants and deadly animals in the state. There are only a couple of poisonous snakes.
12. Cubans respect people from Russia and the republics of the former USSR.
13. There are no advertisements on Cuban TV channels.
14. The ballet school is considered one of the best in the world.
15. Private sale of fish and beef is prohibited.
16. IN central system no hot water.
17. There are no drunk people on the streets.
18. You cannot kill your own cows or bulls on your own. This is punishable by law.
19. Oil is not produced, as the sources are located in tourist areas.
20. Every Cuban is a professional dancer. The rhythm of dance is in their blood.

In general, Cuba is the place, visiting which you may want to stay forever.

Demographic curve of the population of Cuba since 1774

Cuban man ().

Cubans- the main population of Cuba. Total number - 11,451,652 people. 1 million people live in the USA, 10 thousand in Canada, 20 thousand in Spain. Believers are predominantly Catholics, Protestants and adherents of African syncretic cults are less common.

Ethnogenesis [ | ]

Cubans are a people of mixed origin. By the time the Spaniards arrived here, Cuba was inhabited by the Siboney tribes, the Arawak Indians and others, the Guanahanabeys who migrated from Haiti. As a result of the Spanish colonization, the Indians were mostly exterminated. Then slaves were imported here from Africa (mainly Yoruba, Ashanti, Ewe, Congo). Their descendants make up 40%. In addition, the nation was formed by mulattoes, mestizos, immigrants from Europe. Creoles here are called white natives of Cuba. A Negro who did not master Spanish was formerly called bosal. From Spain, mainly Galicians, Castilians, Navarrese, Catalans traveled here. They are collectively called the Gallego (Galicians). From the end of the XVIII century. a large influx of French from Haiti and Louisiana, Italians and Indians from Mexico also arrived here.

According to the 1827 census, 704,487 people lived on the island: 311,000 whites, 106,000 free blacks, 286,000 black slaves, 1,487 mulattoes.

According to the 1842 census, 1,037,624 people lived on the island: 448,291 whites, 152,838 free blacks, 436,495 black slaves. These figures show that the number of Negro slaves in the 1820s - 1840s grew rapidly.

On June 3, 1847, the first 200 Chinese were brought into the island.

As of 1958, the population of Cuba was 6,466 thousand people. .

Economy and culture[ | ]

Since 1898, Cuba has ceased to be a colony of Spain. Initially, its economy was based on the production of sugar cane and the export of sugar. A diversified economy gradually developed. In addition to sugar cane, rice, tobacco, and fruit crops are grown. The working class and the intelligentsia formed.

2/3 of the population are city dwellers. The original layout of the cities is of the Spanish type. The architecture was dominated by the Baroque style. Since the 20th century multi-story building began. The peasant house (bono) has a pillar structure, walls made of palm boards, a two- or four-pitched roof made of palm leaves. The floor is earthen, in front of the entrance there is a canopy on poles. The old forms of housing are being pushed out.

Urban clothing - southern European type. Peasant costume - a loose shirt, trousers, a wide-brimmed straw hat, for women - a chintz skirt, a blouse, a colored scarf on the shoulders.

The food is based on rice and bean dishes that are cooked separately and together. Examples: "moros and christianos"- black bean rice ajiako- thick stew with meat, corn, vegetables, herbs and spices. On the coast, fish, shellfish, turtles, crabs, and other seafood are widely eaten.

Folk art combines elements of Spanish and African cultures, primarily in music and dance. Favorite entertainment - carnivals (las comparsas). Cockfights and ball games are popular.

2002 Cuban census[ | ]

In 2002, a population census was carried out.

Population by region

The official name is the Republic of Cuba (Republica de Cuba, Republic of Cuba).

Located in the West Indies. It occupies an archipelago that is part of the Greater Antilles group. Includes the islands of Cuba (area 104.9 thousand km2), Juventud (2.2 thousand km2) and more than 1600 small islands (3.7 thousand km2). total area- 110,860 km2. Population - 11.2 million people. (2002). Official language- Spanish. The capital is Havana (2.2 million people, 2002). Public holidays - Liberation Day on January 1 (1959), National Uprising Day on July 26 (1953). The monetary unit is the Cuban peso (equal to 100 centavos).

Member of the UN (since 1945), Leningrad NPP (since 1975), ACG (since 1994), LAI (since 1999), WTO (since 1995), etc.

Sights of Cuba

Geography of Cuba

It is located between 19°49' and 23°15' north latitude and 74°08' and 84°57' west longitude. It is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean in the east, the Caribbean Sea in the south and Gulf of Mexico- in the West. Length coastline islands of Cuba - 5746 km. The coast is characterized by deep-water bays (Matanzas, Nipe, Guantanamo) and many convenient bays. The island is surrounded by reefs and other coral formations.

Cuba is separated from the United States by the Florida Strait (180 km in its narrowest part), from Haiti by the Windward Strait (77 km), from Jamaica by the Colon Strait (140 km) and from Mexico by the Yucatan Strait (210 km).

Most (about 2/3 of the territory) of the island of Cuba is a flat or slightly undulating plain. The most significant hills and mountains are located in the south-east of the country. The highest points are the peaks of Turquino (1974 m), Cuba (1872) and Sweden (1734) in the Sierra Maestra mountain range.

The rivers are short and shallow. The largest (km): Cauto (370), Sagua la Grande (163), Sasa (155). There are no significant lakes.

Soils are represented by krasnozems (the most common), chernozems and brown soils.

The flora includes up to 8 thousand species of tropical flora (including 90 species of palms). Forests cover approx. 1/4 territory. The fauna is characterized by the poverty of vertebrates and the abundance of lower species (rodents, insectivores, bats), as well as the absence of predatory mammals and poisonous individuals.

From minerals highest value have large deposits of nickel-cobalt and iron ores. There are also chromites, manganese, copper, lead, zinc, tungsten. Among non-metallic minerals, marls, magnesites, dolomites, refractory and ceramic clays, and marble stand out. Proven reserves: oil 283.5 million barrels, nickel 5.6 million tons, cobalt - 1 million tons.

The climate is tropical, trade wind. The average annual temperature is +25.5°C. The coldest month is January (+22.5°C), the hottest month is August (+27.8°C). The rainy season is May-October, the dry season is November-April. The average annual rainfall is 1400 mm.

Cuban population

Population dynamics (thousand people, at the middle of the year): 1990 - 10,628, 1995 - 10,964, 2000 - 11,199, 2001 - 11,230. Birth rate 12.08%, infant mortality 7.27 people. per 1000 newborns, life expectancy 76.6 years (2002 estimate). Sex and age structure of the population: 0-14 years - 20.6% (men 1,188,125, women 1,125,743), 15-64 years - 69.3% (3,902,162, 3,880,531), 65 years and older - 10 .1% (520,849, 606,911) (2002 est.). Urban population 73.3%. Population density 101.5 people. per 1 km2. Citizens who have worked for 25 years and have reached the age of 60 (men) and 55 (women) have the right to retire. Illiterate among the population aged 10 years and older is 3.8%.

Ethnic composition (%): mulattoes - 51, whites - 37, blacks - 11 and Chinese - 1. Language - Spanish.

Most believers profess Catholicism, a smaller part - Protestantism, Judaism and Afro-Cuban cults.

History of Cuba

The island of Cuba was discovered by H. Columbus on October 27, 1492. The colonization of the country by Spain began in 1511. The Indian tribes inhabiting it (Guanahatabei, Siboney, and Taino), under the leadership of their leaders Atuey and Guama, put up stubborn resistance to the conquerors, who transferred socio-political and economic feudal institutions of the metropolis. In 1596 the island received the status of captaincy general. The progressive extinction of the indigenous population forced the organization of the importation of blacks from Africa, whose labor became the basis of the slave-owning plantation economy (sugar cane, tobacco, coffee), which occupied by the middle. 18th century along with pastoral latifundia, a leading place in the economy of the colony. Gradually, a class of wealthy Creole landowners took shape. At the same time, the dissatisfaction of the population with the colonial order grew.

The independence movement arose in Cuba in the 19th century. The anti-colonial Ten Years' War (its leaders were K. M. de Cespedes and I. Agramonte - representatives of the patriotic part of the large landowners), which began on October 10, 1868 with an uprising near the town of Yara, ended with the Sankhon Pact (1878). Its main result was the abolition of slavery (1886), which contributed to the national unity of the Cubans. An attempt by the most radical elements to continue the struggle (the Little War of 1879-80) failed, and Spain retained its dominance over the island.

A new uprising for independence broke out on February 24, 1895 ("Cry from Bayre"). Its leader, organizer and inspirer was H. Marty (died in action in May 1895). A. Maceo and M. Gomez also played a prominent role in the struggle for national liberation.

In an effort to take advantage of the liberation struggle of the Cuban people, on April 25, 1898, the United States entered the war with Spain, which ended with the occupation of the island by American troops. On May 20, 1902, Cuba received formal independence. In 1901, under pressure from the United States, the so-called. the Platt Amendment, which meant the establishment of an unofficial US protectorate over the country. The latter were leased territories in the areas of Guantanamo and Bahia Honda.

In 1925, with the support of the United States, the dictatorship of J. Machado was established in Cuba, which was overthrown on August 12, 1933, as a result of a revolution. In September 1933, a provisional revolutionary government headed by R. Grau San Martin came to power, expressing the political sentiments of the national bourgeoisie and the middle urban strata. In 1934 it was overthrown as a result of a coup by Colonel F. Batista. Batista carried out a certain democratization of internal life: in 1938 the Communist Party was legalized, in 1939 the Trade Union Center of the Working People of Cuba was founded, and in 1940 a new Constitution was adopted - one of the most democratic in the world of that time.

Under the subsequent governments of R. Grau San Martin (1944-48) and especially C. Prio Socarras (1948-52), the persecution of democratic forces provoked a response in the form of the activation of the latter. Fearing the victory of these forces in the forthcoming elections in June 1952, Batista staged a preventive coup d'état on March 10 and established a military-police regime in the country. On July 26, 1953, an unsuccessful armed uprising against the dictatorship took place under the leadership of F. Castro. With the landing on December 2, 1956, on the territory of Cuba, a revolutionary detachment of 82 people. led by Castro, the insurgency in the country received a new impetus. The movement against the dictatorship took various forms, and on January 1, 1959, as a result of the joint actions of all revolutionary forces, the pro-American regime of Batista fell. February 17, 1959 Castro took over as prime minister of the Revolutionary government, which began to implement radical socio-economic and political changes. After Castro proclaimed a course towards building socialism on April 16, 1961, a brigade of American mercenaries landed in Cuba (in the Playa Giron area). The defeat of the interventionists embittered the counter-revolution supported and directed by the United States. The intervention of the USSR in the conflict led to one of the largest confrontations between "socialism and imperialism" after the 2nd World War, known as the Caribbean (or Missile) Crisis of 1962. Its outcome opened a period of peaceful development for Cuba.

State structure and political system of Cuba

The Constitution of 1976 is in force, as amended in 1992. According to the Constitution, “Cuba is a socialist, independent and sovereign state of working people, created by everyone and for the benefit of everyone in the form of a unitary democratic republic providing the conditions for political freedom, social justice, individual and collective prosperity, and human solidarity.”

Administrative division: 14 provinces (Pi nar del Rio, Havana City, Havana, Matanzas, Cien Fuegos, Villa Clara, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila, Camaguey, Las Tunas, Granma, Santiago de -Cuba, Holguin and Guantanamo), which are divided into 169 municipalities, including one special central subordination (Island of Youth).

The largest cities (thousand people, end of 1998): Havana (2192), Santiago de Cuba (440), Camaguey (304), Holguin (256), Santa Clara (210), Guantanamo (207).

The highest body of legislative power is the unicameral National Assembly of People's Power, whose deputies (609 people) are elected by universal, direct, secret suffrage. The term of office of Parliament is 5 years.

From among its deputies, the National Assembly elects the State Council (31 people), consisting of the chairman, the first deputy chairman, 5 vice-chairmen, the secretary and 23 members. The State Council is a permanent body of the National Assembly, which represents it between sessions, implements its decisions and reports to it on its activities. The term of office of the Council of State expires at the conclusion of the election of a new assembly. The Chairman of the State Council is both the head of government and the supreme commander of the Armed Forces of the Republic.

The highest executive body is the Council of Ministers (Government), whose members are nominated by the Chairman of the State Council and approved by the National Assembly. The Council of Ministers is accountable for its activities to the National Assembly of People's Power.

Local governments are represented by provincial and municipal assemblies. The term of office of the first - 5 years, the second - 2.5 years. Like the National Assembly, locals are elected through equal, direct and secret elections. The right to be elected to the provincial and municipal assemblies, as well as the bodies formed by them, have citizens who have reached the age of 16. The age limit for deputies of the National Assembly is 18 years.

Castro was the prime minister of Cuba from February 17, 1959 until February 24, 1976, when this post was legally abolished. Since December 2, 1976, Castro has been chairman of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of Cuba.

The only legal political party is the Communist Party of Cuba (CPC), founded on April 16, 1961, which has full control over the legislative, executive, and judicial powers and mass public organizations. The leading role of the CCP is enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic. The highest body of the party is the congress, convened once every 5 years, which is elected by the Central Committee. The last of its members elects the Politburo (25 people). The first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba is F. Castro, the second is R. Castro. By the Fifth Congress of the CPC (1997), the party had 780,000 members.

The most massive public organization is the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (KZR), created in 1960 and uniting St. 6.6 million people National Coordinator of the KZR - J. Contino.

The Trade Union Center of the Workers of Cuba (PTK) was founded in 1939. It unites 19 sectoral trade unions with 2.7 million members (1996). Secretary General - P. Ross Leal.

The Federation of Cuban Women (FCW) was founded in 1960 and includes 3.6 million people. (82.7% of the total female population over 14, 2000). Chairman of the FCL - V. Espin de Castro.

The National Association of Small Farmers (NAMZ) was founded in 1961 and has approx. 170 thousand members. Chairman of NAMZ - O. Lugo. There are also a number of other public organizations.

The leading business organization is the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba.

In foreign policy, Cuba advocates international relations and friendly relations with all states based on strict respect for equality, sovereignty, independence and national and territorial integrity. It is committed to the ideas of strengthening the role of the UN, the principles of a multipolar world and international security.

Most countries in the world maintain normal interstate relations with Cuba and are in favor of lifting the US trade embargo. Cuba's economic and trade relations are successfully developing with Canada, the EU (especially with Spain) and Latin American countries (in particular, with Venezuela).

On horseback 2002 Cuba maintained diplomatic and consular relations with 182 states.

The number of Cuban Armed Forces has decreased from 297 thousand people. in 1987 to 55 thousand in 1997. The share of military spending in GDP has declined during this time from 4.5 to 2.3%. Citizens fit for military service (persons 15-49 years old), in 2002, there were: men - 1915.6 thousand, women - 1869.9 thousand people.

Diplomatic relations with the USSR were established on October 14, 1942, interrupted on April 3, 1952, and restored on May 8, 1960. In December 1991, the Russian Federation was recognized as the legal successor of the USSR.

Economy of Cuba

The disorganization and then the collapse of the decades-old system of foreign economic relations with the USSR and the countries of Eastern Europe led to the fact that in the beginning. 1990s Cuba's economy was in a protracted crisis. Between 1989-93, Cuba's GDP shrank by 34.8%. The decline in the country's purchasing power from $8.1 billion in 1989 (the last "normal" year for the national economy) to $1.7 billion in 1993 indicated that its economy was 4/5 paralyzed. The government was forced to put into effect a program of emergency measures that provided for a wide opening of the economy to foreign capital, strict centralized control over the spending of financial resources, a shift in emphasis in favor of the development of industries working to meet urgent domestic demand (food industry, oil production) or for export.

Thanks to the "New Deal", Cuba in 1994 was able to reverse the declining trend in its economic development- For the first time in recent years, the country's GDP grew by 0.7%. The trend towards the resumption of economic activity that emerged in that year, although it intensified later, did not acquire a sustainable character: Cuban GDP growth (%): 1995 - 2.5, 1996 - 7.8, 1997 - 2.5, 1998 - 1, 2, 1999 - 6.2, 2000 - 5.3, 2001 - 2.5, 2002 - 1.1. Sharp fluctuations in growth rates over the years are mainly due to changes in the world market conditions, as well as force majeure factors (hurricanes, droughts).

The GDP in 2002 is estimated at 27.6 billion pesos. Based on the official (clearly overvalued) exchange rate of the peso against the dollar (1:1), then GDP per capita in 2002 was approximately $2,456. However, this figure does not reflect the actual state of affairs, since the peso is an inconvertible currency, and its real purchasing power is expressed by the ratio of 26 pesos to 1 dollar.

The number of people employed in the national economy is 4.3 million people, of which 78% are in the public sector. Agriculture accounts for 24%, industry 25% and services 51% of all employed (1999). Unemployment 4.1% (2001).

According to official data, there is no inflation in the country. According to the CIA, inflation in 2002 was 7.1%.

Sectoral structure of GDP: agriculture - 8%, industry - 35%, services - 58% (2002).

The development of individual branches of the national economy is uneven. In industry, the priority sectors are the extractive industries - oil and the production of nickel-containing concentrates. In 2002, Cuba produced a total of 4.1 million tons of oil, which provides 92% of the country's need for electricity generation. Cuba's current (2003) energy demand is 100,000 barrels. per day, 53 thousand of which comes on preferential terms from Venezuela.

The extraction and processing of nickel ores remains a strategic sector of the Cuban economy, in the development of which over $400 million has been invested over the past 5 years. In 2000, nickel-containing concentrate became the country's main export product, the proceeds from which exceeded the income from sugar supplies. A year later, Cuba strengthened its position in the world economy as the 5th largest nickel producer (76.5 thousand tons). The country has 37% of the world's reserves of this metal and plans to increase its production to 100 thousand tons in the near future.

At the same time, Cuba does not yet have plants for processing the concentrate into finished products (Canada does this for it). The nickel industry is too energy-intensive for their construction to be planned in the near future in the conditions of an underdeveloped energy sector on the island. Electricity generation in 2001 was 15.3 billion kWh.

The backbone of the Cuban economy is still recognized as the sugar industry, which, in terms of income in freely convertible currency, ranks 3rd after tourism and the nickel industry.

The collapse of the former supply chain established within the framework of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance and the unfavorable world market conditions caused a deep recession in the industry: the volume of raw sugar production decreased compared to the 2nd half. 1980s 2 times, varying within 3.2-4.0 million tons (in 2002 - 3.4 million tons).

Since May 2001, the government has been restructuring the industry. The main task is a significant increase in its profitability. As part of the relevant program, 71 plants out of 156 were announced to be closed or converted, and the remaining ones to be upgraded. The production potential of sugar refineries is planned to be maintained at the level of 4 million tons of products per year (0.7 million tons for domestic consumption and 3.3 million for export). OK. 40% of the area occupied by sugarcane will be allocated for other crops, for the development of livestock and the expansion of forest resources.

With the help of foreign loans, the tobacco industry is being restored, primarily the production of cigars, which was greatly reduced in the beginning. 1990s In 2002, their sales reached $240 million.

Of the science-intensive industries, biotechnology, the pharmaceutical industry and medical instrumentation enjoy the greatest attention. Of the 804 medicines on the national list, the pharmaceutical industry produces 571 (71%, 2001).

On horseback In 1997, the land fund of Cuba was 10,972.2 thousand hectares, incl. agricultural land - 6686.7 thousand ha (60.9%), of which cultivated land - 3701.4 thousand ha (33.7%), natural pastures - 2222.8 thousand ha (20.3%), unused land - 762.5 thousand hectares (6.9%); non-agricultural land - 4285.5 thousand hectares (39.1%), incl. forests - 2924.9 thousand hectares (26.6%). Irrigated areas - less than 1 thousand km2.

Of the 6686.7 thousand hectares of agricultural land, 2234.5 thousand hectares (33.4%) are in the public sector, 4452.2 thousand hectares (66.6%) are in the non-state sector, incl. in the cooperative - 4149.9 thousand hectares and at the disposal of individual peasants - 236.2 thousand hectares.

Production of certain types of agricultural products (2001, thousand tons): vegetables and root crops - 2125.2, rice - 590.6, corn - 306.7, beans - 105.6, citrus fruits - 893.8. Deliveries for slaughter (thousand tons): cattle - 143.9, small cattle - 17.3, poultry - 71.0. 1.5 billion eggs were produced.

The public sector accounts for 72.3% of the production of vegetables and root crops, 34.5% of rice, 21.3% of corn, 15.6% of beans, 50.5% of citrus fruits, 93.7% of beef, 27. 9% pork, 18.1% small ruminants, 35.0% poultry, 19.3% milk and 78.8% eggs (1998).

Cuba has a relatively dense transport network. The length of railways is 12.0 thousand km (2000, estimate), incl. railways public use- 4.8 thousand km (of which 147 km are electrified) and the so-called. sugar lines - 7.2 thousand km (2000, estimate).

The length of highways is 60.9 thousand km, incl. with a hard surface - 29.8 thousand km.

In 2001, 678.9 million passengers were transported by specialized transport institutions of Cuba, of which 15.0 million were transported by rail, 657.6 million by road (excluding tourists) and 1.3 million by air. Cargo transportation amounted to 57.7 million tons, of which by rail - 5.4, by road - 45.4, by sea - 9.9 and by air - 0.01 million tons.

The merchant fleet of Cuba has 14 ships with a displacement of st. 1 thousand tons. Total carrying capacity - 63.4 thousand tons (2002, estimate). The fleet includes 9 dry cargo ships (including 3 bulk carriers), 2 tankers and 3 refrigerators. The most important ports are: Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Ma-tansas, Cienfuegos, Mariel, Nuevitas, Manzan-llo. There are 32 ports in total.

Airports in the country - 172, of which with concrete runway 78 (2002).

In 2001, it was sent (million pieces): letters - 15.6, telegrams - 5.5. The total distribution of printed publications amounted to 282.9 million units, of which 264.5 million were newspapers. 731.8 thousand telephone lines were in operation. Number phone numbers per 100 inhabitants - 5 (2001). There were 3.9 million radios and 2.6 million televisions in the country (1997). Internet users - 120 thousand (2002).

The most dynamic area of ​​the Cuban economy in recent years is tourism. In 2002, this industry, although it experienced a 5% decline, brought in $2.0 billion to the treasury. Cuba was visited by 1686.7 thousand tourists, 40% of them from Europe. For reception foreign tourists The country has 40,000 hotel rooms and 11 international airports. The sector employs 100 thousand people. The country is taking active measures to encourage cruise ship visits to its ports and ensure that St. 3 million people In 2002, 70 cruise ships visited Cuba with 45,000 passengers on board.

Cuba has a two-tier banking system, which includes 8 commercial banks, in whose field of activity is the provision of financial intermediation services, and the central bank, which regulates and controls their work. All Cuban banks are state-owned, their shares are owned by the central bank, established in 1997. There are also 12 representative offices of foreign banks in the country. The only bank that operates abroad on the basis of Cuban capital is Havana International Ltd. There are also representative offices of the National Bank of Cuba, founded in 1950. It retained its commercial status and inherited the country's external debt. Among the functions of the central bank: the issuance of banknotes, the regulation of the money supply in circulation and loans, the development of monetary policy, etc.

The country has a trimonetary monetary system: pesos, dollars and convertible pesos (the latter was put into circulation in 1994, equated to the US dollar and is designed to limit the circulation of the American currency in the national economy).

In 2001, the revenue side of the budget was expressed in the figure of 14,774 million pesos, the expenditure - 15,533 million pesos. deficit state budget(759 million pesos) remained within the planned limits (2.8% of GDP), which generally confirms the correctness of the government's tax policy.

Starting from the 2nd floor. 1990s The social situation in the country has somewhat stabilized. According to data from official sources, compared with 1994, calorie intake increased by 33% (up to 2585 kcal per day), and protein - by 44% (up to 68 g per day). In nominal prices, the average monthly wage increased from 185 to 249 pesos (taking into account the fall in the exchange rate of the peso after September 11, 2001, it actually did not change and is less than 10 dollars). The extremely low level of official income results in a constant decrease in the population's motivation to work.

Although open unemployment has been gradually decreasing since 1995, underemployment has become widespread. By international standards the majority of the population lives below the poverty line. At the same time, the social differentiation of the population is increasing. Among those with higher purchasing power are citizens who own foreign currency. St. 50% of the population receive remittances from the United States, the official amount of which is from 800 to 1100 million dollars a year.

Currently, 95% of the country's total housing stock is electrified. In 2003 the gasification of the largest cities - Havana and Sant'yago de Cuba - will be completed.

In 2000, there were 170 inhabitants per general practitioner, and 1,129 inhabitants per 1 dentist. Number of students per 1 teacher: Primary School- 12.0, secondary school - 11.5 (2000). The number of students per 1 teacher - 5.6 (2000).

Although the Human Development Index in Cuba is 0.795 (2000), the standard of living of its population is still lower than in pre-crisis 1989.

According to official estimates, in 2001 Cuba's foreign trade turnover was determined at 6443.3 million dollars. A year later, it fell by 13.9%.

The country still spends more foreign currency on imports of necessary goods than it receives from exports, which makes the state's balance of payments very tense. deficit trade balance(3120.3 million dollars, or 11.4% in relation to GDP) in 2001 turned out to be almost 1.9 times more than the volume of exports. Against the backdrop of GDP growth, since 1993 there has been a constant deterioration in the balance of payments.

In 2001, exports amounted to 1661.5 million dollars. The commodity structure of exports (%): sugar - 30.1, nickel - 25.6, tobacco products - 14.5, seafood - 4.4.

Imports grew in 2001 to 4781.8 million dollars. The main purchases fall on (%): machinery and equipment - 23.6, energy carriers - 23.5, food - 14.4, chemicals - 8.8.

The main trading partners are (2001,%): in export - the Russian Federation (19.4), Canada (16.6), Spain (8.9), Germany (7.2), the Netherlands (7.0); in imports - Venezuela (18.6), Spain (15.4), China (9.2), Mexico (6.2), Italy (6.0).

The volume of trade with the Russian Federation is 322.5 million dollars, incl. export 288.0, import 34.5.

In November 2001, for the first time, Havana took advantage of an amendment passed by the US Congress to allow US companies to export food to Cuba. However, the island is forced to pay for all contracts in advance and in cash, unable to borrow from US banks. In 2002, Cuba purchased food from the United States for a total of $255 million.

A serious problem of the balance of payments remains the impossibility of carrying out international settlements in dollars associated with the ongoing embargo by the United States. Having lost only in 1998 due to the need for a constant exchange of currencies in conditions of fluctuating exchange rates, 260 million dollars, the National Bank of Cuba decided on the mandatory use of the euro from July 1999 as monetary unit in transactions with 11 member countries of the European Monetary Union.

In 1987, Cuba unilaterally stopped servicing its external debt, the amount of which is at stake. 2001 was estimated at 10,893.0 million dollars (81.0% - the principal amount of the debt, 19.0% - obligations to service it). This amount does not include debts to former socialist countries, incl. THE USSR.

To stimulate the flow of foreign capital into Cuba, on September 5, 1995, a new Foreign Investment Law was adopted in the country, and on June 3, 1996, the Law on Free Zones and Industrial Parks, which contains legal norms governing their creation and operation.

All sectors of the national economy are open to foreign investors, with the exception of healthcare, education and national security(The prohibition does not apply to the enterprise system belonging to the Revolutionary Armed Forces).

The total amount of foreign direct investment approved for the con. 2002, amounted to 5930 million dollars. The number of economic associations with the participation of foreign capital from 46 countries (among which Spain, Canada, Italy, Great Britain and France stand out) reached 402. In the sphere of interests of foreign investors are 32 different sectors of the Cuban economy. According to the Cuban press, more than 650 projects are at various stages of negotiations, approx. 1/2 of them belong to EU countries.

As of May 2002, Cuba has signed mutual investment promotion and protection agreements with 60 countries. Expanding the legal framework for investments, it is negotiating with a number of states on the preparation of agreements on the avoidance of double taxation. To con. 2000 such agreements were signed 4 (with Barbados, Spain, Italy and Russia).

There are currently 3 operating on the island free zones located in the Havana region. More than 240 foreign operators are registered in them, 2/3 of which operate in the commercial sphere, the rest - in production and services.

Science and culture of Cuba

Scientific activity in Cuba is coordinated by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Protection environment(founded in 1994). It consists of 39 different scientific institutions, incl. Cuban Academy of Sciences (founded in 1962) and four agencies: Atomic Energy, Science and Technology, Environment and Information for Development. In recent years, the main efforts of Cuban scientists have been directed towards applied scientific research, which promises a real economic effect in the near future. From the 2nd floor. 1990s a number of scientific institutions are united in the so-called. scientific poles. One of the largest is the Science Pole of the West of Havana, established in 1996 and uniting 38 scientific institutions operating within 10 ministries. The cost of research activities in 2000 amounted to 136 million pesos, the number of employees in the field of science and technology - 64.1 thousand people, incl. more than 6 thousand doctors of sciences.

St. 50% of all scientific work in Cuba is carried out at universities and their 76 research centers. The higher education system includes 61 universities, of which 17 are in the system of the Ministry of Higher Education, 16 of the Ministry of Education and 14 of the Ministry of Health. The teaching staff of universities is 21.6 thousand people. The largest universities are Havana (founded in 1728) and Oriente (founded in 1947). The cost of education in 2000 is 7.6% of GDP.

In 2000, there were (units) in the country: theaters and theater halls - 361, cinemas - 682, libraries - 131, museums - 330, houses of culture - 308 and amateur art groups - 21,538. 7.45 million copies of books were published 1026 various titles, 25 films were released, incl. 6 full length.

The Republic of Cuba is a big island nation located in the Caribbean Sea. The territorial composition of the country includes many small archipelagos, such as the Antilles and Huventud. It has no common land borders with any state. Located in close proximity to North America. The capital is the city of Havana. Since 1945 it has been a member of the UN.

Population history

IN ancient times Indians lived on the territory of modern Cuba. In the autumn of 1492, their peace was disturbed by an expedition led by Columbus himself. For a long time, there was a fierce war for land between Europeans and indigenous tribes. And only in 1511 he managed to subdue local population Cuba. Soon, Fort Baracoa was erected on the islands.

Gradually, the number of European settlements increased. Nevertheless, the Indians secretly did not want to cede their lands to strangers and attacked new colonies over and over again. By the end of the 1520s, the number of victims among local residents exceeded one million. What was the population of Cuba at that time? Based on historical records, it was about 1.8 million people.

At the beginning of the 19th century, a radical group of patriots appeared on the territory of the island colony. She pursued the goal of separation from Spain. The struggle for independence began in 1868 and lasted exactly 30 years. With varying success, the reins of government temporarily passed from hand to hand. A peace treaty was signed several times, but it acted only on paper.

In 1898, the US Army helped Cuba gain independence. From that moment on, a fierce struggle for power began in the country. Every few years shuddered from new military and revolutionary upheavals. From 1953 to 2006 The head of Cuba was the great dictator Fidel Castro. He was remembered not only for his successful reforms, but also for his confrontation with the CIA. At the moment, the country is led by Fidel's younger brother Raul Castro.

Geographic features

Cuba is located near the border of North and South America. The republic includes the largest island in the West Indies. We are talking about Huventud, which is adjacent to another one and a half thousand coral reefs. The coastal border of Cuba is convenient for large and small ships. Dozens of large bays and ports are located here. The adjacent water area is characterized by bays and coral formations.

The area of ​​the republic is about 111 thousand square meters. km. From a bird's eye view, the island resembles a huge lizard, whose head is turned to the North Pole. From the south, the country is washed by the Caribbean Sea, from the west and north - by the Gulf of Mexico, from the east - Atlantic Ocean. The closest point of the island to the border with the United States is at a distance of 180 km from the mainland. Separates States Closest to Cuba are Jamaica.

The mountain system occupies a third of the country's territory. The highest point is Turkino Peak - 1972 m.

What attracts Cuba

The climate in the country is tropical, so mean annual temperature rarely exceeds +25 degrees. January is considered the coldest month of the year. The air temperature then is +22 C. In summer, the figures are slightly higher - up to +30 C. The water temperature is always stable +26 degrees.

Like on all other islands, in Cuba, rains are a common thing. The annual precipitation here is up to 1400 mm. Nevertheless, the always stable moderately hot weather attracts tens of thousands of tourists every month. In addition, the island is constantly blown by a pleasant wind, bringing with it fresh sea air.

The fauna is rich in aquatic representatives: mollusks, shrimps, lobsters, outlandish fish.

Provincial population

By state system Cuba is a unitary country. The whole republic is divided into administrative municipalities. This was done for political reasons. Today, the country has 16 provinces.

The most populous city is Havana. Its population is about 2.3 million. few less population Cuba is represented in the provinces of Holguin and Santiago - one million people each. Further in number are cities and islands such as Granma, Camaguey, Pinar, Villa Clara and the Havana region. Least of all people live in the province of Youthud - just over 87 thousand people.

It is noteworthy that the smallest in area is the city of Havana - 725 square meters. km. At the same time, the population density is 3 times higher than all other provinces combined.

Each municipality has its own executive and representative authorities.

The population of the republic

Most of the inhabitants of the islands are Cuban people. The population is represented by the descendants of the Siboney, Arawak, Haitian, Guanahanabey, Taino and other tribes. However, today there are few true indigenous people left. Most of them were exterminated during the wars with the Spanish colonizers.

The current population of Cuba is a mixture of dozens of peoples from Indians to Europeans. In addition, hundreds of thousands of African slaves were brought here by the Spaniards in the 17th and 18th centuries. That is why there are so many black people on the islands. For all of them, Cuba has long been home. In the 19th century, about 125 thousand Chinese were imported to the islands. In the 20th century, the population of Cuba was diluted by the Americans.

During World War II, thousands of Jews found refuge here. In 1953, over 84% of the inhabitants of the islands turned out to be Caucasian. By 2012, the population of Cuba was about 11.16 million people.

Number for 2015

According to demographic indicators for the last 10 years in Caribbean The leading place is occupied by the Republic of Cuba. The population of Cuba in the fall of 2014 was about 11.23 million people. At the same time, experts noted a decrease in the birth rate and the influx of migrants to 0.1%. In addition, the able-bodied population, including young people, is constantly leaving the country. The main place of emigration is still the United States.

As of 2015, the population of Cuba is 11.22 million. According to experts, negative demographic dynamics is expected. Already at the moment, the population has decreased by almost 12 thousand people. This is indicative, because the birth rate this year significantly exceeded the death rate (by 18%). Consequently, the outflow of emigrants is again behind the negative trend. According to statistics, 32 residents leave the country per day. At the same time, the birth rate is kept at the level of 300 children a day.

Population aging

British experts considered that Cuba is the only Latin American state that has seen a decrease in population in recent years. been observed in the country for several years. It is noted that the population of Cuba and the number of its inhabitants are directly affected by aging. The fact is that the birth rate is falling every year, therefore, the average living age of the region is increasing.

On the other hand, the country has a very good level of healthcare. It is not for nothing that mortality with each reporting period loses its usual pace. Today, 18% of people over 60 live in Cuba. Due to the mild maritime climate, pensioners practically do not suffer from heart attacks and cancer.

Traditions of the locals

The people of Cuba are very cheerful and creative people. Favorite pastime is music and dancing. Apart from public holidays, Valentine's Day and Parents' Day are honored here.

Almost all Cubans save up all year round in order to have plenty of rest at the carnival in a chic costume. Night life represented by mass discos to the rhythms of salsa.

A favorite pastime of older people is sitting on a rocking chair with a glass of rum and a Cuban cigar.

The population of the republic is 6466 thousand (1958). The average population density is 56 people per 1 km 2. Over 60% of it is concentrated in the west of Cuba.

The area around the capital is especially densely populated (150 people per 1 km 2). The self-employed population, according to 1953 data, is about 1.7 million (more than 40% is employed in agriculture and fishing; in industry and construction - about 15%, in trade and finance - about 10%, etc.) .

According to the 1943 census, "whites" make up 74.4% in Cuba, and "colored" (blacks, people of mixed origin and people from Asian countries) - 25.6%. These data, however, are not accurate. A person's belonging to one or another ethnic category was determined by the scribe arbitrarily, in accordance with who, in his opinion, this Cuban resembles and who he considers himself to be 1 . In a capitalist society, where there is racial discrimination and many blacks tend to pass themselves off as mulattoes, and mulattoes as whites, this principle, of course, requires serious adjustments.

A more detailed study of the so-called whites allows us to conclude that approximately one third of them are mulattoes. Thus, Negroes, together with mulattos, make up not 25%, but about half (according to some estimates, even up to 60%) of the republic's population 2 .

"Whites" (of whom, therefore, no more than 50% in Cuba) represent a group of very diverse origins. Here are the descendants of the early Spanish colonizers and the descendants of the Spaniards who arrived in Cuba in the 19th-20th centuries; and the Spaniards, who recently moved to the island, as well as North Americans, French, Italians, etc.

At present, a Cuban is considered primarily a native of the island; the representative of the next most important group is an immigrant Spaniard (his children are mostly considered and consider themselves Cubans). This "Spanish group" is heterogeneous. Gallegos (Galicians) are distinguished, although they often call all Spaniards and all blondes in general, Astu zealous (Asturians), canarios (natives canary islands), etc. There are still clubs where only people from the respective regions of Spain are accepted.

The Spaniards are more involved in trade, the Cubans are more closely connected with the state apparatus, among the freelancers there are also more of them than the Spaniards. It goes without saying, however, that among white Cubans, as in any other ethnic group, workers predominate - urban workers (in this case, most often of higher qualification), columns and the so-called guajiro, descendants of the first Spanish colonists who received small plots of land for rent and engaged in peasant labor. A significant part of the guajiros have already lost their land, turned into sharecroppers and farm laborers. It is among them that the ancient customs, the costume, are the most preserved; it is they who are the guardians of that old Cuban culture, which by origin is connected with the Iberian Peninsula.

The Negro population is unevenly distributed throughout the island, most of it lives in the "sugar regions", especially in the east. In the province of Oriente, blacks and mulattoes make up 8o%, in Havana, Pinar del Rio, Matanzas - more than half of the population. A significant part of blacks and mulattos lives in cities, especially in large ones. Previously, there were quite a lot of Jamaicans and Haitians among them. But after the mass expulsions of foreigners in the 1930s, their number dropped sharply.

A Negro (Negro) in Cuba is called a person with very dark skin, a mulatto (mulato) - with a lighter one, a quadroon - with an even lighter one, navdo - with skin of an even lighter shade. These names determine the color of the skin to a greater extent than the proportion of Negro blood. There are also the terms mestizo (a person of mixed origin) and moreno (dark, another meaning is * dark-haired, brunette). Finally, the term Creole (Creole) is used in Cuba to refer to a person without an admixture of Negro blood.

The blacks and mulattoes living in Cuba are mostly urban (often less skilled) and agricultural workers, and to a lesser extent, peasants. Among them there are small and even medium and large bourgeois, there are intellectuals, but in percentage terms these categories are insignificant. Legally, the rights of blacks and mulattoes are not limited. However, the existence of everyday discrimination against blacks cannot be denied, especially in American enterprises. The program of the new government emphasizes the principle of racial equality.

The majority of Asians in Cuba are Chinese. According to the 1943 census, which, however, is very inaccurate, there were only 18,931 Chinese in the republic, including only 1,337 women. Most of the Chinese population lives in the suburbs of large industrial centers, doing gardening. Chinese city dwellers are engaged in trade, work in laundries, etc. According to pre-war data, there were 51 Chinese public organizations in Cuba; in Havana, three newspapers in Chinese were published (and are still being published), there was a Chinese chamber of commerce. The Chinese population of Cuba is declining: some of the Chinese returned to their homeland, the rest enter into mostly mixed marriages, whose descendants no longer consider themselves Chinese. In 1955, under the pretext of "fighting militant communism," the reactionary government of Batista forbade the Chinese from entering Cuba.

About 400 Japanese have been living on the island of Pinos for quite a long time, their main occupations are agriculture and fishing 2 .

In conclusion, it should be said about the descendants of the indigenous population of Cuba who survived in an extremely small number. They live in the villages of Higany, Palma Soriano, Yateras, El Caney and Baracoa (province of Oriente). These are the descendants of the Siboney tribe who have undergone miscegenation. Small groups of Indo-Spanish mixed origin also live in the cities. These people remember their Indian origin and are proud of it. Outwardly, they differ from other Cubans - they have light brown skin, a straight nose, and curly hair 3 .

Language

State language and native language population - Spanish. From the language spoken in Spain, it differs primarily in that Cuba uses words borrowed from the language of the indigenous inhabitants of the island (boyo - the name of the hut, guajiro, etc.), as well as from African languages. Row of words Spanish Cubans use it in their own way, in a different meaning. There are slight differences in grammar and pronunciation.

Many blacks (especially in rural areas) speak a dialect of Spanish in which there is no agreement, declension, conjugation, numbers, some sounds are mixed, etc. 1

Settlements

54.5% of the population lives in the cities of Cuba, and 45.5% of the population lives in rural areas (1943). According to the same year, about 20% of the population of the republic lived in the so-called Big Havana (the capital and several adjacent cities).

Havana (over 1 million people) - the largest industrial centre Republic (tobacco, food, textile and some other enterprises), its Cultural Center, the largest port, a junction of railways and highways.

The center of Havana is very beautiful. Prado, its main highway with white buildings of ancient and more modern architecture, with a shady boulevard in the middle, rests on the old Spanish fortress Morro, located on the Gulf of Mexico. Nearby is the Capitol (Congress Building), very reminiscent of the Congress building in Washington. However, the richest Cubans do not live here, but in the Vedado region, where white villas of businessmen, politicians and generals stand in lush tropical vegetation. But you just have to step aside a little - and you can see old houses with iron bars and patio; streets narrowing to such an extent that a car can hardly make its way along them. And, finally, even further, the poor quarters begin - dusty, dirty, deprived of water, electricity, and the most basic amenities. They crowd into the hollow at the foot of the hills on which the city is located. The houses here are made of old boards or slabs and do not even have windows.

Several villages - Isla de Pinos, La Cueva de Umo (Smoky Cave), Liega y Pon, El Barrio de las Llaguas - arose against (the will of the land owners. But even the settlers could not be expelled with the help of military force.The settlements are led by "mayors" elected by the population.Several schools, kindergartens have been established here, attempts are being made to solve the problem of water supply (very acute in Havana).The reactionary government of Batista and the municipality did not provide any assistance to the villages.

In the most bad conditions the inhabitants of the Negro quarters live, as well as the quarter inhabited by the Chinese (near the Capitol).

The second largest city is Marianao (about 230 thousand), the third is Holguin (about 227 thousand people), the fourth is Camagüey (more than 191 thousand).

The rural areas of Cuba are characterized by the absence of villages. Peasants, as a rule, live in houses several kilometers apart. More or less significant settlements exist only on plantations or centrals.

dwelling

The peasant house (boio) is very similar in its type to the hut of the Taino Indians, which also had the same name. It is built from the wood of the royal palm, the roof (gable) is covered with its leaves. The floor is earthen. Some types of boio do not even have windows. Before entering the house, a canopy is made on two pillars, closely adjacent to the front wall. The house usually has a plot of land where rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, yucca, bananas, lemon trees are grown. A special area is set aside for planting vegetables intended for the winter.

Cloth

The population of cities almost does not differ in clothing from the inhabitants Southern Europe, only in Cuba is clothing made from a lighter and more colorful material, although white is also widespread. The national costume has been preserved only among the guajiros. Men wear the so-called guayabera - something like a linen shirt gathered into folds, hanging freely over the pants (in Lately it begins to penetrate into the cities), straw hats * with wide brim. Behind the belt is usually a machete.

The main features of the guajiro women's costume are chintz skirts and colored kerchiefs on the shoulders.

Food

Of the national dishes in Cuba, the most famous is ajiaco, consisting of pork and dried meat with yucca, malanga (taro), yams, bananas, pumpkin, corn and seasoned with all kinds of herbs and spices. It is prepared by long boiling over low heat. Other dishes include: fish with lemon and almond sauce, rice with shellfish, the so-called paella (chicken with vegetables) and rice with black beans (the dish is called "moros and christianos" - "Moors and Christians"). A traditional Christmas dish is a whole pig roasted on a spit. A feature of Cuban cuisine is that all dishes are usually heavily fried and richly flavored with garlic and pepper.

Workers and peasants most often eat ajiaco without meat; their diet contains more bananas, corn, and beans. The consumption of meat and milk in general in Cuba is very insufficient.

Cuba is replete with tropical fruits. Crushed into pieces, with a lot of sugar (in general, a lot of sugar is put into food on the island), pineapples, oranges, mangoes, papaya, etc. are widely used. The custom of drinking fruit juices was widespread in Cuba long before it became known in the USA and other countries. Juices with ice are sold everywhere, from first-class restaurants to stalls and kiosks. Rum and wine made from grapefruit or papaya are also widely used.

However, not all residents of the republic enjoy this abundance. Between one safra and the next, hundreds of thousands of unemployed sugar workers eat only yucca and malanga, undermining their health and especially the health of children.