Cuba is the national language. State languages ​​of Cuba. Entertainment and attractions

Cuba is an island of beauty, health and fun, which annually receives many foreign tourists, including Russians. Of course, everyone who is going to visit Liberty Island is interested in what language is spoken in Cuba. It is especially important to know this for those who plan to visit the country for the purpose of treatment.

State language of Cuba

Speaking about which language is the state language in Cuba, it should be noted that Spanish is considered as such here. This was the result of the colonization of the island by the Spanish conquerors in the 16th century.

The rooting of the Spanish language in Cuba took place in several stages. Initially, the island was inhabited by Indian tribes of the Tains, Guanahanabeys and Siboney, who spoke their own dialects. But in 1492, the ships of Christopher Columbus arrived here, and between the Spaniards who landed on the island and the indigenous population, a painful search for mutual understanding began, as a result of which the Spanish language underwent significant changes. This explains why the Spanish language, or rather, the Cuban dialect of Spanish, has become widespread in Cuba.

After the extermination of a significant part of the local population, the Spaniards began to bring slaves from Africa to the island to work on the plantations. This contributed to the connection to the process of formation of the Cuban version of Spanish also African dialects, which have their own characteristics. And after the liberation of Cuba from colonial dependence, the formation of Cuban Spanish was significantly influenced by the English language, which was brought by the Americans, who replaced the Spaniards.

Thus, the national language of Cuba is Spanish, but it has significant differences from traditional Spanish. Moreover, sometimes they are so significant that, having heard the local speech, it is impossible to immediately understand what language is spoken here. The Cuban variety of Spanish even got its own name Espanol Cubano.

That is, to the question of what language is official in Cuba, the answer is unequivocal - Spanish. And if you know this language, you will be able to communicate with the local population, despite some differences in pronunciation.

Popular languages ​​on Liberty Island

Answering the question about what language is spoken in Cuba, it should be noted that although the main language of the country of Cuba is Spanish, there are residents here who speak other languages, such as French or English. But there are few of them on Liberty Island. Most often they can be found in popular resorts (Varadero, Cayo Coco, Holguin, etc.), where they work in restaurants, hotels and large entertainment centers. Most of the locals do not consider it necessary to know and understand even the most common phrases in English. Moreover, if one of them knows this language, then he answers it extremely reluctantly. This attitude towards English is explained by not the warmest relations that have historically developed between Cuba and the United States.

Despite this, there is a special category of Cubans on Liberty Island. They are called "friends". They are fluent in English and even specifically study the language in order to earn money from foreign tourists. The "friends" offer help with housing, booze, cigars, and more, and are usually extremely friendly. They impose themselves on tourists and spend whole days with them, counting on a kind of maintenance on their part, for example, treats to food and drinks or monetary rewards.

Language courses in Cuba

When planning a trip to Cuba, you need to understand that without knowing Spanish, communication with the locals will be very problematic, so it would be a good idea to learn the basic phrases in Spanish before the trip. And you can take up the study of Spanish right on the island - fortunately, language schools in Cuba offer both individual and group lessons different levels intensity for visitors of any age. In addition, it is possible to combine Spanish lessons with music or dance classes.

The most popular language schools in Havana are Jakera, StudeTeam Cuba and Study & Live in your Teacher's Home (Learn and live in your teacher's house). The latter program provides a unique opportunity to learn more about the culture and traditions of this country through the study of the language. In addition, you will be the only student, which will allow you to quickly learn the language.

It should be noted that studying Spanish on Liberty Island is in no way inferior to studying at the same courses in Spain.

Do they speak Russian in Cuba?

Among the countries of the Caribbean there is not a single state where the Russian language is as widely spoken as in Cuba. This is due to many years of friendship Soviet Union and Cuba. A large number of Cubans were once educated in the USSR, many Cubans married to Russian women live here. People still drive Soviet cars on Liberty Island, use equipment manufactured during the Soviet era, and watch Soviet films and cartoons, only in Spanish.

The Republic of Cuba is unofficially called the Island of Freedom, and occupies the entire territory of the island of Cuba, which is part of the Greater Antilles. The history of the Republic is closely connected with political events during the Cold War and the confrontation between the United States and the Russian Federation in the political arena, which is due to its favorable location and proximity to the North, South and Central parts of America.

The official name of the Republic of Cuba has two versions of the history of origin. Some scientists believe that this word came from the language of the local Indian tribes, who called the fertile lands so. Others believe that this is exactly what Columbus called this island at the time of its discovery, giving the island the name of a settlement with the same name in Portugal.

Geographic characteristics

The island is located at the junction of three parts of America - North, South and Central. This is the most large island, which belongs to the territory of the West Indies, and it represents most territory of the Republic. It also includes adjacent islands and coral reefs from the Greater Antilles.

In terms of territory, Cuba is quite impressive, and occupies 110,860 square kilometers, which stretch from west to east for 250 kilometers. The outlines of the Republic on the map are very reminiscent of a lizard that turned its head towards the Atlantic.

People with mixed national origins live here. When the Spaniards reached the island, the tribes of the Arawak Indians lived on it, as well as those that had moved shortly before that from Haiti. However, in the process of colonization, the indigenous people were practically destroyed, and most of the territory was occupied by the Spaniards and other colonizing peoples. Today, the population of the state is more than 11 million people, of which only about 65% of citizens can be attributed to the white race.

Nature

Rivers and lakes

The rivers on the territory of the Republic are not large. Usually they are quite short and not watery. There are over 600 rivers or streams here, and many of them head north, although there are some that flow south into the Caribbean Sea.

On the banks there are a huge number of swamps, the largest of which is called Zapata. Lakes, like rivers, are small, and most often freshwater, although there are also salty lagoons. The largest lake with fresh water is called Laguna de Leche, and its waters are distinguished by a milky whitish hue, which is due to the content of chalk in the water ...

Sea, bay and ocean surrounding Cuba

The southern part of the territory of the Republic is washed by the Caribbean Sea, and from the northwest the island goes around the Gulf of Mexico. The northeast coast faces the Atlantic Ocean...

Plants and animals

More than 3,000 types of fruit tropical plants and flowers grows in Cuba and adjacent islands. The forests are represented by both deciduous and evergreen trees, and it is not uncommon to find mahogany or logwood. In the middle of the 20th century, forest plantations were actively planted, and today more than 30% of the territory is covered with green spaces and forests...

One of the most interesting mammals of Cuba can be noted the almost exterminated already Cuban flint tooth. The island is home to 23 species of bats, as well as many different rodents. Among the birds, parrots and thrushes predominate, as well as flamingos and hummingbirds in large numbers.

Amphibians are represented by alligators and a variety of lizards, including the iguana, as well as turtles and crocodiles. Among the snakes, there are a lot of varieties that are non-venomous and not dangerous to humans. More than 7 thousand species of insects and 500 species of fish complete the fauna of this Republic.

Climate of Cuba

The location in the tropical strip next to the Gulf Stream and warm trade winds provides a fairly warm climate in Cuba. average temperature in January it usually does not fall below 22.5 degrees Celsius, and in August it reaches 27-28 degrees on average. From the beginning of May until October, quite heavy rain showers can be observed, and in autumn hurricanes complete the picture. November to March is the most favorable tourist season...

Resources

Industry and agriculture

The subplatform areas on which the state is located consist mostly of limestone fossils. There are practically no expensive minerals that could bring profit to the Cuban budget in the country. The main types of industry are light, textile and food, heavy industry occupies a very small place in the country.

Fertile lands give rich harvests, therefore agriculture is quite well developed in Cuba. The bulk of the plantations is occupied by sugar cane, but other aspects of agricultural structures are also actively developing. Cuba supplies the world market with a large number of elite cigars and sugar, as well as nickel in quite tangible quantities ...

The Republic of Cuba is a Caribbean state located on the island of Cuba and a number of nearby islands (O. Huventud and others). The population of Cuba is approximately 11.5 million people, most of which are Creoles - 65%, as well as mulattoes (24.8%) and blacks (10%).

Cuba covers an area of ​​approximately 111 thousand square meters. km, the total length of the coastline is 3,735 kilometers. In the south, Liberty Island is washed by the Caribbean Sea, the Yucatan Strait in the southwest, the Windward Strait in the east (it separates Cuba from the island of Haiti), and in the north by the Florida Strait (the minimum distance to the coast of Florida is only 180 kilometers).

The relief of the country is mainly flat, with hills and mountains occupying no more than a quarter of Cuba. Low mountain ranges scattered throughout the country: for example, in the southeast are the Sierra Maestra mountains with the highest point of the island - Turquino Peak (1,972 meters); in the center is the Sierra de Trinidad massif, and in the west, the Sierra de los Organos. The coast is mostly low, swampy and sometimes overgrown with mangroves. largest river countries - Cauto. Cuba's time zone is UTC-5, 8 hours behind Moscow time.

Climate

The tropical and trade wind climate of the island allows you to keep a fairly high temperature throughout the year: an average of 25.5 ° C for the year, 22.5 ° C in January, and about 27.8 ° C in August. The water near the coast also remains quite warm all year round - in winter 22-24°C and in summer 28-30°C. In general, the average climatic indicators are typical for tropical countries, however, as can be seen, the seasonality of temperatures is rather weakly expressed. Cuba also has a relatively high average annual rainfall of 1,400 mm, mostly in the form of showers, but some years can be unusually dry.

On the island, as in all tropical countries, two climatic seasons are clearly expressed - the rainy season (May-October) and the dry season, which occurs from November to April. The warm currents passing near the island, forming the Gulf Stream, have a huge impact on the Cuban climate. Also distinctive feature The island climate is characterized by high humidity throughout the year.

It is also worth noting that Cuba is particularly susceptible to tropical cyclones that originate in the Caribbean between June and mid-November. The strongest showers and heavy winds that accompany typhoons easily cause damage to both the inhabitants of the island and the entire economy and infrastructure of the country.

Visa

For citizens of the Russian Federation, the procedure for entering the country looks very simple, since they have the right to come to Cuba without a visa for up to 30 days, regardless of the purpose of their trip on ordinary foreign passports. If a Russian citizen, after this period, wishes to stay in the country for more long time, he may extend his stay in Cuba if there is a clear justification for such a need, a maximum of twice for 30 days. To do this, he needs to contact the Cuban Migration Service. Each visa extension comes with a fee of 25 Cuban convertible pesos, which is approximately equal to 30 US dollars.

When crossing the border, you must present the following documents: a passport valid for the entire stay in the country; return tickets and a migration card in two copies. The first copy must be presented when passing passport control at the airport along with your passport, and the second should be kept until the end of the trip, as it is withdrawn already upon departure from the country.

Documents are checked very carefully, and the migration officer may ask additional questions (for example, about the length of stay in the country, the intended place of residence in Cuba, the availability of a hotel room, etc.). Those who do not travel through travel agencies, in addition to everything, need to confirm the availability of sufficient funds (traveler's checks or cash) to stay in Cuba based on the calculation of $ 50 per person per day. Also, when entering the country, a currency in the amount of more than 5,000 US dollars or the equivalent in any other currency is subject to mandatory declaration.

Border and customs control

As in any country, Cuba has its own special customs regulations. It is allowed to import duty-free cigarettes (maximum 200 pieces) or tobacco (up to 250 grams), perfumes, medicines and household items (within the limits of a person’s personal needs), as well as audio, video, and photographic equipment, one position each names per person.

It is prohibited to import the following goods into the country:

• firearms (with the exception of hunting weapons, which must have an appropriate permit, and upon arrival in Cuba, a citizen must obtain a permit to use weapons on the island);
• pornographic products;
• sausages, cheeses, meat and fish products without cans, fruits;
• animals and plants without special permission from the sanitary authorities;
• a large number of medicines without appropriate medical prescriptions and documents;
• large batches of manufactured products;
• electrical appliances (heaters, microwave ovens, electric fryers and rice cookers, food processors, electric motors and spare parts for them, televisions), as well as video and DVD equipment. Amateur video cameras, laptops, digital cameras, electric shavers are not prohibited.

When leaving the territory of Cuba, it is prohibited to export:

• more than 5 thousand US dollars or equivalent in any other currency;
• cigars in the amount of more than 23 pieces per passenger without an invoice for their purchase in a store (at the same time, according to Russian customs rules, more than 50 cigars cannot be imported into Russia);
• books published more than 50 years ago (if there is no permission from the Cuban authorities);
• animals, stuffed animals, plants or their parts without the permission of the sanitary authorities;
• silver, porcelain, glass and bronze products, as well as antiques, products of famous masters, archaeological finds and cultural values ​​(paintings, drawings, sketches on canvas, wood, paper, cardboard);
• a large number of medicines without invoices that would confirm their legal purchase, and the corresponding prescriptions of doctors.

Sanitary and veterinary control

A vaccination certificate is not required. When importing and exporting pets, you must present the appropriate veterinary certificates. Certificates of animal health when they are exported from the country are issued by a veterinary clinic located at: Havana, st. Carlos III and Ayestran.

additional information

After the abolition of the free circulation of the dollar in Cuba on November 15, 2004, all payments are made in Cuban convertible pesos. Its exchange rate for December 2009 is about 0.7 Euro or 32.2 rubles per 1 peso. At the same time, one should not forget that the transfer of money from Russia to Cuba in a short time is practically impossible - the Cuban branches of Western Union do not work with Russia. It is also possible that problems arise when receiving money from credit and debit cards of American banks, since the latter do not maintain correspondent relations with Cuban financial institutions, so if the intermediary bank is a US bank, it is not possible to receive money by credit card.

It should be noted that there are two types of pesos - "non-convertible" (for internal circulation) and "convertible", which is used for settlements with tourists and is pegged to the US dollar at a ratio of 1:1. Often change is given to both. Foreign citizens and tourists can only pay in shops with convertible pesos. If by the end of your trip you still have pesos on hand, then you can only change back to dollars or another currency at the current rate in convertible pesos (abbreviated "CUC"). Moreover, no commission is charged for the reverse exchange. That is, convertible pesos change, for example, to dollars in a ratio of 1:1. Convertible pesos are labeled "pesos covertibles". Non-convertible pesos currently have an exchange rate of 26:1 against the US dollar.

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How to get to Cuba

Direct flights to Havana are carried out only from Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow by Aeroflot. With a transfer in the Russian capital, in this case, you can get to Cuba from anywhere in Russia.

Cities and regions

Republic of Cuba in its own way administrative structure is a federation and since August 2010 is divided into 15 provinces and a special municipality of Isle of Youth. Also on the island is the American naval base of Guantanamo, leased by the United States, but remaining the territory of the Cuban Republic.

Provinces of Cuba

Juventud Island (translated from Spanish - the island of Youth)

Location: located 100 kilometers south of the coast of the island of Cuba and is the largest in the Los Cannareos archipelago. Lies at the exit from Botabano Bay to the Caribbean Sea.
Area: 2,419 square kilometers.
Population: 86,637 (2004)
Administrative center: Nueva Gerona.
Attractions: unique beaches Punta del Este (next to which are Indian rock paintings) and Bibijagua with black sand; Prison Presidio Modelo (where Fidel Castro once served time); El Abra Manor (National Monument status); San Felipe Los Indios Nature Reserve and Punta Frances Marine Park.

Pinar del Rio

Location: The westernmost province of the Cuban Island.
Area: 10,904 km².
Population: 730,626 (2004)
Administrative center: Pinar del Rio.
Attractions: World famous Viñales Valley (listed cultural heritage UNESCO) in the Sierra de los Organos; the oldest Spanish resort in Cuba - San Diego de Los Banos with mineral springs; the islands of Levis, Paraiso and Hutia; Mount Loma del Fuerte near Soroa; the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Siera del Rosario and Guanaacabibes.

Artemis

Location: The province lies in the western part of the island, east of the province of Pinar del Río.
Area: 4,004 km².
Population: 502,392 (2010)
Administrative centre: Artemisa
Artemisa is a former part of the province of Havana, which in August 2010 was divided into Artemisa and Mayabeque. There are many diving equipment rentals here. San Antonio de los Baños is home to the Museum of Humor, home to the International Biennale of Humor.

Mayabeke

Location: The province lies in the western part of the island, east of the province of Artemis.
Area: 3,733 km².
Population: 381,446 (2010)
Civic center: San José de las Lajas
Mayabeque is a former part of the province of Havana, which in August 2010 was divided into Mayabeque and Artemisa. Mayabeque occupies the eastern half of the former province of Havana, and the name of the Mayabeque province comes from the river of the same name that flows through its territory. There are many diving equipment rentals here.

City of Havana (is a province)

Location: northwestern part of the island, in the province of Havana.
Area: 721 km².
Population: 2,350,000 (2006).
It is the capital of the Republic of Cuba and the administrative center of the province of Havana.
Attractions: the historical center of the city - Old Havana; the fortresses of Castillo del Morro, Castillo de la Punta; the forts of La Cabaña and La Real Fuersa; waterfront Malecon; Paseo del Prado; monastery of Santa Clara; Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception; City Hall; Revolution square.

Matanzas

Location: in the western part of the island, between the provinces of Havana and Villa Clara and Cienfuegos.
Area: 11,802 km².
Population: 675,980 people.
Administrative center: Matanzas.
Attractions: Varadero beach; karst caves of Pinar del Rio; in Matanzas, the castle of San Severino; Bakunayagua bridge; Hunko Palace Museum; Chapel of Montserrat.

Cienfuegos

Location: central region of the island of Cuba. It borders the province of Matanzas to the south, Villa Clara to the north, and Sancti Spiritus to the east.
Area: 4,180 km².
Population: 398,647 (2004)
Administrative center: Cienfuegos.
Attractions: fortress Nuestra Señora de los Angeles de Jagua; Palace of the Palacio de Valle; mineral springs of Ciego Montero; the beaches of Guahimico, Playa Ingles and Rancho Luna; historical Buildings city ​​of Cienfuegos.

Villa Clara

Location: in the central region of Cuba on the Atlantic coast; borders on the south with the province of Matanzas, on the east and south with the provinces of Sancti Spiritus and Cienfuegos, respectively.
Area: 8,412 km².
Population: 817,070 (2004)
Administrative center: Santa Clara.
Attractions: Elgea resort with healing mineral springs; large artificial lake Anabanilla; the islands of Cobos, Las Brujas, Santa Maria, Frances and Ensenachos; memorial to Ernesto Che Guevara; carnivals in San Juan de los Remedios; Leoncio Vidal Square in Santa Clara; city ​​of Remedios.

Sancti Spiritus

Location: central part of Cuba. It borders the Atlantic to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south. Lies between the provinces of Villa Clara and Cienfuegos to the west and Ciego de Avila to the east.
Area: 6,736.51 km².
Population: 463,009 (2004)
Administrative center: Sancti Spiritus.
Attractions: in the city of Trinidad - main square, Holy Trinity Church, Brunet Palace, Yayabo Bridge; the San Luis valley with the Manaka-Isnaha tower; Topes de Collantes National Park.

Ciego de Avilo

Location: central areas of the island. It borders the province of Sancti Spiritus to the west and the province of Camagüey to the east. To the north is the Atlantic Ocean, to the south is the Caribbean Sea.
Area: 6,783.13 km².
Population: 416,370 (2004)
Administrative center: Ciego de Avilo.
Attractions: in the city of Ciego de Avila - Independence Avenue, Principal Theater, Cathedral; the town of Moron; reservoir Laguna de la Leche; lagoon La Redonda; the resort islands of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo; Cueva del Habali ("Boar's Cave").

Camagüey

Location: located closer to the eastern part of the island. It borders the province of Ciego de Avilo to the west and Las Tunas to the east. It is washed by both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
Area: 15,615 km².
Population: 786,657 (2004)
Administrative center: Camagüey.
Attractions: coral reef near Santa Lucia; the island of Cayo Sabinal; in the city of Camaguey - Ignacio Agramonte Square - a former arms square, San Juan de Dios Square; Carmen Square, Principal Theatre, Casino Compreste Park.

Las Tunas

Location: occupies the territory in the eastern part of the island. It borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, as well as the provinces of Camaguey, Holguin and Granma.
Area: 6,587.75 km².
Population: 529,850 people.
Administrative centre: Victoria de las Tunas.
Attractions: Major General Vicente Garcia Memorial; Puerto Padre; Square Solar - Jose Marti Square; Covarrubias beach; nature reserves of El Cabo, Kupelle.

Granma

Location: A province 730 kilometers east of Havana. From the west and south it is washed by the Caribbean Sea. It borders the provinces of Las Tunas, Holguin and Santiago de Cuba.
Area: 8,375.49 km².
Population: 822,452 people.
Administrative center: Bayamo.
Attractions: Desembarco del Granma National Park declared by UNESCO natural landscape- property of mankind; Turkino National Park; Marea del Portillo beach in the Gulf of Guacanaybo.

Holguin

Location: Eastern province of Cuba on the Atlantic coast, bordering the provinces of Las Tunas, Granma, Santiago de Cuba and Guantanamo.
Area: 9,293 km².
Population: 1,029,083 people.
Administrative center: Holguin.
Attractions: in the city of Holguin - the Cathedral of San Isidoro, provincial historical Museum in the "La Perikera" building, Loma de la Cruz hill, Museum of Natural Sciences Carlos de la Torre y Huerta; archaeological excavations in Chorro de Maita and Banes; natural park "Bahia de Naranjo"; national monument Park Bariai.

Santiago de Cuba

Location: A province in the southeast of the island of Cuba, bordering the provinces of Holguin, Granma and Guantanamo.
Area: 6,156.44 km².
Population: 1,045,337
Administrative center: the city of Santiago de Cuba.
Attractions: in the city of Santiago de Cuba - the castle of San Pedro de la Roca del Morro, the Museum of the History of Piracy, the City Cathedral, Padre Pico Street, the Abode of the Blessed Virgin of Mercy from Cobre, the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery with a mausoleum Jose Marti, Cespedes Square; the islet of Cayo Granma with the Basilica of Caridad del Cobre; Baconao Natural Park; Sierra Maestra National Park; rock of the Gran Piedra.

Guantanamo

Location: southeastern province Republic, on the western side it borders on the provinces of Holguin and Santiago de Cuba, and on the east it is washed by the Windward Strait.
Area: 6,178 km².
Population: 507,300 people.
Administrative center: Guantanamo.
Attractions: in Baracoa ("city of palm trees") - the system of city fortifications, the Parish Church, the Rio Miel River; Maguana Beach and Cahobabo; Alexander Humboldt National Park; Zoological museum made of stone; Lookout Malones.

What to see

There is, perhaps, no country surrounded by a more romantic halo than Cuba. Liberty Island with azure waters caribbean, magical "snow-white" Cuban beaches, incendiary rhythms of rumba and salsa, under which, after a couple of servings of wonderful Cuban rum, you just want to thank all the gods - Indian, African, European - for the fact that there is this unique island on earth, whose colorfulness is simply not knows the boundaries.

And, not surprisingly, Cuba, like no other island in the Caribbean, is rich in sights, both known to the whole world (who has not heard of Varadero?), and those whose existence an ordinary tourist has no idea. Moreover, a distinctive feature of Cuba is that there are plenty of cultural monuments created by human hands, and simply stunning natural ensembles, such as, for example, karst caves in Matanzas. And, of course, Cuba would not be Cuba, and indeed a country of Latin America, without its colorful and vibrant carnivals, which, of course, are not as large-scale as the carnival in Rio, but no less interesting and exciting.

Also, do not forget that the country of Cuba and the island of Cuba are not exactly the same thing. A huge number of small and picturesque islands makes visiting Cuba even more charming, because many of them have beaches and landscapes of unprecedented beauty, such as Cayo Santa Maria and Cayo Guillermo, where the noble "Cuban" Ernest Hemingway adored visiting and whose yacht "Pilar ” is still anchored off the beach of the same name. And at the same time, Cayo Guillermo is considered an uninhabited island, where 90% of the territory is dominated by mangroves, palm groves and many tropical birds, including a very rare kartacuba, which is the pearl of the entire Cuban fauna.

And, of course, there is nowhere to escape from the sun-drenched provincial Cuban cities, each of which contains many interesting architectural monuments, in fact, embodying the complex and controversial history of the Island of Freedom. As an example, we can take the city of Cienfuegos (the capital of the province of the same name), where the 18th century castle of Nuestra Señora de los Angeles de Jagua is located, built between 1733 and 1745 and protecting the city bay from enemies Spanish crown, and the Palacio de Valle, built in the Mudéjar style already at the end of the colonial era at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, and more modern buildings from the time of socialism. The highlight of the city is an interesting layout - almost all the streets intersect at right angles.

Or the city of Camaguey, which is also called the city of "tinahons" (large earthenware jars), where the historical center is better preserved than anywhere else in Cuba, so you can find many squares of various sizes there. The city of Las Tunas (also the provincial capital) is rightfully considered the center of Cuban sculpture - every two years a festival of peasant art is held in the city, where approximately 70 sculptures of various kinds are exhibited. Below we will talk about some notable regions in more detail.

Cayo Coco

It is the fourth largest island in Cuba and the main tourist resort in the archipelago "Jardines del Rey" ("Royal Gardens"). Cayo Coco is connected to the main island by a 17-kilometer dam road that runs along the Bay of Dogs and was built not so long ago, blending very organically into the surrounding landscape. The island is particularly attractive due to the almost untouched by man ecosystem, which includes a national nature reserve, which is home to many species of sea birds, including flamingos.

It is because of this that Cayo Coco has become the center of ecotourism in Cuba. The resort of Cayo Coco is perhaps the most isolated in the whole country, and in the inner part of the island there are tropical thickets untouched by man, which are the habitat for a huge number of birds - flamingos, pelicans and, of course, the snow-white bird "Coco" (hence the name - "Island Coco").

To the north of the island, a magnificent "road" of 26 kilometers stretches the most beautiful beaches of Cayo Coco with the purest white sand, which are considered almost the best in the entire Caribbean. Among them are Mecca beach tourism like Los Flamencos, Las Coloradas and La Jaula, well protected by the curved coastline. Los Flamencos beach is perhaps the best beach of the island on Cayo Coco, stretching for 5 kilometers, the main "owners" of which are flamingos - they can be seen here at any time of the year. Playa Prohobida, or "Forbidden Beach" - beautiful place for a secluded and relaxing holiday. Out of concern for environment any construction is prohibited here, so nature is preserved in a virgin state. sand dunes This beach can reach a height of about 40 meters.

Cayo Coco is one of the main diving centers in Cuba. And all this because next to the island there is a 400-meter coral formation, which is the second longest in the world after the Great barrier reef in Australia. And a lot of exotic coral fish makes diving in this place simply unforgettable.

Havana

Havana with all reservations can be called a symbol of Latin America. A city of legend, full of indescribable beauty, amazing story and traditions. It is not only the most Big city in the Caribbean, but also the most beautiful - Hemingway put the beauties of Havana on a par with Parisian and Venetian ones. And it would not be an exaggeration to say that Havana is a real open-air museum, where all the best of the cocktail that represents Cuban culture as a whole is collected. And this centuries-old history, filled with various collisions and accidents, as a result of which this particular, colorful, bright and alluring Cuba was born.

A huge attraction for tourists is the historic center of the city - Old Havana, where there are many beautiful streets and buildings made in the colonial style, so each of them has its own special sophistication, and a simple walk through Old Havana can easily turn into an exciting many hours of travel. More recently, it was estimated that there are 900 (!) buildings of historical and architectural value in this area. Old Havana, which stores the main metropolitan attractions of Cuba, is separated from the central area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe city (Centro Havana) by a very blurred border that runs along central park and the Capitol building, however, the difference between the two areas is cardinal - the latter is not so picturesque, built up with more modern houses and therefore does not particularly attract tourists. The Vedado district is the liveliest part of Havana, whose architecture surprisingly mixes different styles - from neoclassicism to constructivism. It is in Vedado that the University of Havana and all the main centers are located. nightlife Cuban capital.

A necessary attribute of all coastal Cuban cities is the embankment. The Havana Malecon, stretching along the coast for 7 kilometers, is the most popular and lively street in Havana, where, according to tradition, carnival processions are held in February. Malecon - perfect place for calm hiking. In addition, the promenade connects the areas of Vedado and Miramar with Old Gaana.

One of the most famous architectural ensembles Havana is the Cathedral Square with the Cathedral of St. Christopher located on it. This square is a great place for a relaxing break, where you can sit in one of the many cafes and enjoy live Cuban music. In addition, the luxurious facade of the Cathedral of St. Christopher, built in 1748-1777, is a real decoration of the square. According to legend, it was in this cathedral until 1898 that the relics of St. Christopher Columbus were located (hence the name).

According to the tradition that has developed in Latin America, almost every capital of this region has its own Capitol building. Havana is no exception to this list - the Cuban Capitol was built in 1929, and the Capitol in Washington served as its prototype. In the past, meetings of the Cuban Parliament were held here, and since 1960 the Ministry of Science, Technology and Ecology of Cuba, the National Science and Technology Library and the Museum of History have been located here.

During the period of socialism, the Cuban capital was also enriched with some interesting architectural monuments. So, Revolution Square with a memorial to José Marti and a majestic tower 109 meters high, at the top of which there is an observation deck, from where the whole of Havana is visible at a glance, has gained particular fame. It was on this square that Fidel delivered his speeches to the Cuban people every year on May 1 and July 26, since the square can accommodate up to 1.5 million people.

Attractions

Museums and galleries

Where to eat and drink

Entertainment

Parks and recreation areas

Transport

Wellness vacation

Private guides in Cuba

Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Cuba in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.

Things to do

• Central clinic. Sira Garcia
• Placental Histotherapy Center
• International Center for Neurological Rehabilitation

Movement around the country

Public transport in Cuba is in a rather dilapidated and deplorable state - the number of buses is very small, and they break down very often. As a result, tourists are not recommended to use public transport. Buses ("va-va") are the main urban transport. In Cuba, there are 2 types of buses: "seated", where the number of passengers is clearly limited by the number seats, and ordinary cars, often packed to capacity. There are no timetables in principle, the routes are also almost nowhere marked. The fare is 10 centavos.

There are buses and fixed-route taxis that run between cities. Intercity buses run very poorly and are almost always crowded. Tickets for these buses must be purchased in advance. The fare fluctuates between one and two pesos.

Taxi

Tourists are advised to use the so-called "tourist taxis" for transportation, which are modern executive cars equipped with air conditioning and cordless telephones. Tourist taxis can be ordered from any hotel or by phone. At the same time, all taxi movements are constantly monitored to ensure the safety of tourists. The cost of a taxi often varies from 50 cents to 1 US dollar per 1 kilometer.

There are three state-owned taxi companies in Cuba: Cubanacan is the most expensive (Mercedes), Turistaxi (Japanese small cars with air conditioning) and Panataxi (Ladas) is the cheapest company, but it operates only in the capital. In the provinces, in hotels and in tourist centers you can find taxis "Cubanacan" and "Turistaxi". Upon arrival at Havana airport, it will be cheaper to book a taxi at the Panataxi branch at the exit than through a travel agency.

Ordinary taxis, which are paid in pesos, use rather old vehicles, the number of which is small. IN resort areas(for example, in Varadero) private transportation is a very common phenomenon, but there are no guarantees of quality and security.

Railway transport

The Cuban Railway is a state-owned enterprise that includes 5,219 km of public railways. The Cuban railway transports about 4.4 million tons of cargo and about 11 million passengers a year.

Air traffic

Cuba has five international airports: in Havana, Varadero, Santiago de Cuba, Holguin and on the island of Cayo Largo. The vast majority of flights arrive at Havana International Airport. International flights are carried out mainly by foreign airlines, such as Aeroflot, Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, KLM, and others.

Local airlines operate flights within the country, using mainly small planes. Tickets for these flights for local residents are not very expensive. There are 77 paved and 94 unpaved airfields in the country.

Auto

The road system in Cuba is quite developed, but, like everything on the island, it has its own specifics - there are no road signs at all, so in order to get by car to Right place, you need at least a basic knowledge of Spanish, or a detailed map. The length of roads on the Island of Freedom is 61 thousand kilometers, and only 30 thousand kilometers of them are paved.

Vehicles in Cuba are very worn out, and Cubans do not have much opportunity to upgrade them. The car park consists mainly of cars imported from the USSR and American "old cars" from 1936 to the 1960s. Police patrols still drive old Zhiguli. Therefore, on the roads, Cubans prefer to travel mostly on bicycles. Hitchhiking is also very popular in the country. Government vehicles by law, they are required to take fellow travelers if there are empty seats in the car, so people in yellow robes armed with notebooks are often on duty at the main city exits and intersections. Their task is to ensure the organization of the dispatch of people hitchhiking.

Car rent

The best way to see Cuba is to travel around the country in a rental car. Necessary requirements for rent: availability driving license with a minimum age of 21 years, as well as driving experience of at least 1 year. Before renting, it is imperative to inspect the car for defects, which must be recorded in the rental agreement. Otherwise, the tenant will be forced to pay for these unnoticed defects after the return of the car.

There are several car rental companies in Cuba. It is worth noting that their services are quite expensive. Car rental costs from $45 per day plus $15 insurance. Gasoline within Havana costs about $ 1 - 1.2 per liter. A little cheaper outside the city.

The road rules are standard, the traffic is right-handed and not very busy, although there are a huge number of cyclists on the roads of the country. At the same time, the quality of the roads is very low, and the markings, like the signs, are virtually absent. Service stations are also rare. Car numbers in Cuba have different colors. Cars with "tourist" brown numbers (owned by rental companies) enjoy certain benefits, such as driving through tunnels closed for repairs in Havana, parking in unauthorized places, etc. There are a lot of traffic police in Cuba, but for minor violations of drivers " tourist "cars she special attention does not pay.

Maritime communication

Several Cuban cities have seaports: Havana, Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Manzanillo, Santiago de Cuba, Mariel, Nuevitas. Maritime transport in Cuba is represented by cruise liners and other vessels, with the help of which water communication is organized with other islands and the continent.

Communication

Language and writing

The official language in Cuba is Spanish. However, as in all Latin American countries, the Spanish spoken by Cubans differs from classical Spanish. During centuries of contact between different ethnic groups, Cuban Spanish has absorbed many loanwords of African and Indian origin. However, knowledge of ordinary Spanish, even at an elementary level, greatly facilitates communication with the local population.

In addition, in hotels, the staff quite often also speaks English and French, and German and German are widely used in resort areas. Italian. Some Cubans of the older and middle generation, who at one time studied in the USSR, are quite tolerably fluent in Russian.

In general, the importance of the role of the Spanish language in Cuban culture and the history of the nation should be noted. In 1978, the millennium of the Spanish literary language was widely and solemnly celebrated in Cuba. Of all the dialects of Latin American countries, Spanish in Cuba most closely matches classical literary Spanish.

culture

Religion

Cuban culture is a very complex and picturesque mixture of different cultures and ethnicities. Religion plays a special role in the life of any Cuban. Despite the advent of socialism, religious worship has not disappeared anywhere, Cubans honor their religious traditions to this day. Most of all in Cuba, of course, Christianity is widespread, but Judaism, as well as Voodoo and other African cults, also have their adherents. Thus, Cubans are both zealous Catholics, and supporters of socialism, and keepers of the pagan cults of their ancestors at the same time.

Unlike our country, after the revolution, the state guaranteed the right to free religious activity, separating church from state and placing Christianity on an equal footing with other faiths. At the same time, atheistic propaganda also became absolutely free, which led to certain results. Thus, according to the latest polls, 55% of Cubans consider themselves atheists.

Christianity in Cuba exists in three of its main variants - Catholicism, Protestantism and Orthodoxy. The most widespread due to the long Spanish rule on the island is Catholicism - approximately 40% of Cubans call themselves adherents of the Catholic Church. In 1998, at the invitation of Fidel Castro, Pope John Paul II visited Cuba, celebrating mass in front of almost 1 million Cubans at Revolution Square in Havana. After this visit, the attitude of the authorities towards the Church became more liberal.

A large number of Cubans quietly combine Christianity with syncretic beliefs that arose from the mixing of Christian religious tradition with African cults that appeared in Cuba along with black slaves. Negro slaves in the new conditions began to identify their gods with Christian saints, which gave life to the two main syncretic cults of the island: the Voodoo cult and the most widespread cult of Santeria.

The roots of Santeria are in the cults of the African people of the Yoruba. Forcibly converted to Christianity in the colonies, the Yoruba slaves continued their religious practices in secret, covering themselves with Catholic saints to honor their gods - orisha. The Voodoo religion entered Cuba from the neighboring island of Haiti, and it is mainly followed by immigrants from there. Combining many elements (and gods) of various creeds, voodoo appeared in Haiti as a spiritual teaching during the era of French colonial slavery and managed to retain its original features of an African cult. Also, almost all followers of the Afro-Cuban religion openly practice spiritualism.

In addition, in Cuba there is a Jewish community of approximately 1.5 thousand people who profess Judaism, as well as about 300 Masonic lodges, of which 26 thousand people are members.

Lifestyle

Cubans are very hospitable and friendly people, however, like every nation, they have their own rules and traditions that guests of the country should respect and observe. So, for example, it is advisable to accompany your requests with appeals like “mi amor”, “mi corazon” (“my love”, “my heart” - when talking with a woman) and “amigo”, “viejo” (friend, old man), if communicate with a man. Refusing invitations to drink or dine is also not worth it. If one of the locals has done you a great favor, then it is advisable to thank him with some kind of gift - cosmetics or a bottle of rum. IN socialist Cuba it is forbidden to photograph industrial enterprises and military equipment, however, the Cubans themselves willingly become the subject of a photo lens. True, before that you need to ask their permission.

Kitchen

The cuisine of Liberty Island is no less diverse and complex than its culture. Spanish, African and Caribbean gastronomic traditions are organically mixed in modern Cuban cuisine. The main national dish is Akhyako Criollo, a thick stew with various filling options. The natives cooked it from fish and pepper, later the Spaniards brought pork to the island and added it to the soup. All the African slaves completed the process and began to cook "Ahyako" with various varieties of local vegetables and fruits (corn, malaga, bognato).

Particularly popular in Cuban cuisine are dishes of meat fried on the grill or stewed in ceramic pots. It is worth trying, for example, "Santiaguera" - a pork leg marinated and baked in the oven, cut into slices, with mojito sauce and platano circles decoration. Or "Medallones-mango" - pork slices stewed with mango cubes, spices and wine, garnished with fresh mango, mint and onions.

No Cuban lunch or dinner is complete without fruits and vegetables. So, Cubans are very fond of "Bognato" - sweet potatoes fried until golden brown. Slaves, who at one time learned how to cook culinary masterpieces from what grew around, left “platanos” – baked bananas – as a legacy to the modern inhabitants of Cuba. In general, in Cuban cuisine there are a huge number of ways to prepare bananas, for example, "platanos a punetazos", when the unripe fruit is cut into thin diagonal slices and fried; bananas are used to prepare ingredients for sauces, baking pies, pudding, as well as the famous Cuban picadillo, which is a chopped banana mixed with cheese.

Other popular Cuban dishes include "congri" - white rice cooked with colored beans, and "arros moro", also called "Moors and Christians", rice with black beans. Naturally, Cubans do not ignore fish either, for example, fish of oceanic species, fried on coals, as well as dough products, are very common.

Desserts in Cuba are especially sweet, fortunately, Cubans do not experience a shortage of sugar cane. Cuban desserts are served mostly with syrup and are usually used to make them. tropical fruits. IN Lately Cubans are adopting European experience - mousses, puddings, etc. are becoming popular. Of the traditional Cuban desserts, one can name "flambe" - circles of bananas in hot caramel with orange juice, decorated with mint and almonds. This dessert is served on the table literally burning. Coppelia ice cream is very popular. From mousses - "Barcelona", in the preparation of which dark chocolate and sesame seeds are used, as well as grated white chocolate.

Among Cubans, Cuban coffee, very strong and sweet, is especially popular and respected. locals drink throughout the day in a fairly large volume.

For lunch and dinner, it is customary for Cubans to serve table wine. The most popular alcoholic drink in Cuba is the legendary local rum. For dinner, Canelazos-rum is often served as an aperitif (30 g of cinnamon, 5 g of cloves for a bottle of rum) with a light Quesillo appetizer, consisting of pieces of cheese fried in butter. However, no rum in Cuba is as popular as the world-famous Havana club. In total, there are three varieties of rum: golden - "Carta Oro", white - "Carta Blanca" and old - "Anejo". This rum is 3, 5 and 7 years old respectively. Of these three, Cubans prefer Anejo rum. In the Old Havana area, you can, by the way, visit the Roma Museum.

Regional features

Despite the small size of the country, the regions have their own culinary features. For example, in the east of the island, in Santiago de Cuba, food is more spicy and spicy. The population of the central and western part of Cuba is very partial to coconuts and chocolate. The love for coconuts also extends into the frying industry, where only coconut oil and coconut milk are used.

Connection

Telephone penetration in Cuba is still at a fairly low level, so that even many hotels do not have access to international telephone connection. Where this connection does exist, international telephone conversations can be carried out from the hotel room (if there is a telephone with international connection in the room), or through Telecorreos branches or from an international call center. To use cellular communication, you should contact CubaSel (phone 80-2222 or from a mobile phone 711). If there is a telephone with international telephone connection in the number, you should pay attention to the attached memo - it describes in detail how to use it correctly.

The cost of a conversation with Moscow is approximately 5 US dollars per 1 minute of conversation. Calling from a pay phone is cheaper. Cuba has GSM900/1800 mobile phones. About the order of their work, you can consult before the trip at the office. mobile communications. Cuban telephone company - ETESCA. Phone cards can be purchased at ETESCA hotels, shops and call centres. Private phones in Cuba must be called through an operator and prepaid.

Calls from abroad to Cuba: 10 - 53 - local code - local phone.

Calls from Cuba: 119 - country code - phone number. For direct internal dialing: 0 - area code - telephone number.

Some city codes

Keep in mind that the code regional center- three-digit; if the subscriber's number has less than seven digits, then after the city code before the subscriber's number, dial the numbers "2" up to the ten-digit number.

Education

In the field of education, Cuba has a traditionally high performance and literacy rate. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the island has had a system of free state 9-grade elementary education for children from 6 to 14 years old. 8 classes were mandatory for graduation, the ninth - optional. By 1932, these elementary schools were attended by 90% of school-age children, and after Castro came to power in 1961, a massive campaign to eradicate illiteracy began. As a result, in 1990 Cuba became a country of complete literacy. A public secondary and higher school was created.

To date, Cuba has a compulsory nine-grade education (the average is 12 grade). There are 50 higher education centers and education is free at all levels.

The main educational and scientific center of Cuba is the University of Havana, which is located in different parts of the Cuban capital. Until 1999, it taught Russian as the main foreign language (faculty of the Pais brothers, whose work was supervised by the Moscow State University). After 1999, this status was acquired by English. There are also other universities in Cuba, for example, Agricultural University Havana.

Safety

Cuba is considered a fairly safe country, but there are various kinds of threats here. One of the most common tips for visitors is not to walk in Old Havana after ten o'clock in the evening. After this time, it is also common for street lights to be turned off to save electricity, so it is sometimes worth bringing a flashlight with you. In addition, if a tourist brings an outsider to his room, then the hotel in this case is not responsible for your safety and the safety of your luggage and documents. Therefore, it is also often advised to keep documents in special safes (if they are available, of course) in order to avoid loss or theft in the rooms.

Photographing military equipment, military personnel and industrial enterprises is strictly prohibited. Refrain also from giving alms or alms to children and beggars on the street. Begging in any form is strictly forbidden to Cubans, and plainclothes police patrol most tourist sites, so such handouts can land beggars in prison.

Smokers should pay attention to the fact that Cuba has introduced severe restrictions on smoking in public places: since February 7, 2005, smoking has been banned in most institutions and enterprises, and cigarette vending machines have been removed from public places, and the sale of tobacco near schools has been banned.

As for possible health problems during your stay in Cuba, there are several points to consider. The main source of danger is the sultry Cuban sun. Severe sunburn can occur even on cloudy days, so be sure to use protective creams with a high SPF. Swimming on non-equipped beaches in Cuba is also sometimes dangerous because the seabed near such beaches can be dotted with sharp corals and sea ​​urchins. Among the corals, in addition, moray eels dangerous to humans can often hide. Also, in the summer, extremely dangerous “Portuguese boat” jellyfish sometimes nail in shallow water.

Required Phones

Treatment

It is recommended to take the most necessary medicines with you from home. True, one of the advantages of medicine in Cuba is its relatively low cost. However, it should be remembered that in the case of medical institution, you must immediately call one of those numbers that are listed on your insurance policy and warn the insurance company that you are using medical services. If the tourist's disease is an insured event (all this is written in the insurance policy), then the costs of treatment will be compensated in accordance with the invoices paid by the client of the insurance company. But, on the other hand, not a single insurance company will cover the costs of treating venereal diseases acquired during the holidays, as well as ailments caused by alcohol poisoning.

So, despite the relatively low cost of treatment in Cuba, it is recommended to conclude medical insurance contracts in advance, since the treatment of foreigners in some places can still be quite expensive. In Cuba health insurance foreigners are handled by the Asistur company (address; g, Havana, Prado street, 208 / La Habana, calle Prado, edif.208). The cost of insurance is 2-3 convertible Cuban pesos per person per day.

To Varadero health care can be provided in a special clinic intended only for vacationers. Urgent care, first aid and the first visit to the clinic are free of charge. This polyclinic for foreign tourists is open around the clock, phone: 6-21-22. Pharmacy - tel: 6-27-72, 6-26-36. Dental clinic - tel: 6-27-67.

Medical care for foreigners in Havana is provided mainly at the Sira Garcia clinic, although departments for foreigners exist in other hospitals.

The main resorts of the country also have clinics where visitors can receive medical care.

Tap water in hotels cannot be drunk unless there are special instructions from the hotel administration certifying that the water is potable. Therefore, in this case, drinking water will have to be bought in stores. It is recommended to eat in state restaurants or in restaurants at hotels. In small private restaurants, there is no guarantee that the product will be of high quality, especially if the prices are suspiciously low.

As a separate point, it should be noted that in Cuba very long terms of imprisonment are provided for the importation, distribution and transit of drugs: from 20 years and more. Moreover, there are also quite severe sanctions for ordinary drug users and buyers.

Where to stay

There are many hotels in Cuba that belong to world chains (often Spanish). Those located in resorts usually have 4 or 5 star status. The beaches adjacent to such hotels are well equipped with the necessary accessories for this type of recreation - sunbeds, umbrellas, beach towels, the use of which is free. In some places, a small deposit is charged for the use of towels, which is returned on the last day of the stay. The rooms of these hotels have necessary equipment– air conditioning, safe, TV, bathroom. Meals are organized mainly on the principle of "buffet", but sometimes on the menu. The mains voltage is 110V and an adapter is required as Cuban plugs and sockets are flat. True, in the most modern Cuban hotels the voltage is 220 V and "European" sockets.

In addition to 4- and 5-star hotels, there are also more economical options - they are also in demand, for example, 3-star hotels in Cuba. Almost all hotels have a car rental department.

Alternative name - Republic

origin of name

Christopher Columbus landed on the island in 1492 and named it Juan - in honor of Prince Haun, heir to the throne of Castile. The name "Cuba" is an abbreviation of the word "Cubanacán".

Country Education

The history of the Cuban people goes back to colonial rule. Formally, Cuba ceased to be a Spanish colony in 1989 after the invasion, which made the island their colony.

After the victory of the Revolution on January 1, 1959, Cuba finally gained true independence, for the first time since the colonial invasion of 1511.

The pre-Columbian population was 112 thousand people. Basically, the Arawaks lived here (Taino and Sub-Taino), who moved from the central and eastern part of the country closer to the west, to Pinar del Rio. The land was quickly divided between European conquistadors and gold diggers, the natives were enslaved, they worked in the mining and agricultural industries.

All who dared to resist were killed. Malnutrition, overwork, suicide, abuse - within 50 years after the conquest of Cuba, the local indigenous population practically died out.

The past it left behind has been practically forgotten. From the native Indians, only some remnants in language and architecture remained. Only peninsulares (those who were born in Spain), Creoles (descendants of colonists born on the island) and African slaves lived on the island. The confrontation between these groups determined the nature of the colony.

The Peninsulares lived here in order to make their fortunes and return to Spain. Their privileged status depended on the support of the colonial structure. Peninsulares occupied high positions in the state and church service, had an exclusive monopoly on trade with Spain and other countries.

high position peninsulares caused discontent among the Creoles. Among the Creole population there were their own elites - merchants in Havana, for example. The emergence of nationalist sentiments in this group was accompanied by growing unrest among Africans, who were the majority in Cuba.

After the revolution in 1791, the Creoles and peninsulares believed that only the presence of the Spanish military could maintain order on the island. Out of fear of losing their position in society, the Creole elite refused to support the independence movement. Planters from the east were no less afraid of rebellion, since their land was smaller, and they did not have so many slaves.

Farmers from Orienta organized a coup with the help of Masonic lodges, since the Catholic churches were dominated exclusively by the Spanish clergy. In 1868, the Eastern Farms of the Liberation Army declared war on Spain, calling for complete freedom from colonialism and the gradual abandonment of the system of slavery.

They urged Western planters to join their movement. The ten-year war was not successful for the rebels, but led to the collapse of the economy, especially in Oriente and Camagüey. The pact signed at Zagnon in 1878 ended the war. The government promised reforms, but they never followed through. The Afro-Cuban general Antonio Maceo continued to fight, but in 1880 he admitted defeat.

Over the next 17 years, thanks to the efforts of the poet and statesman José Martí, "the father of the Cuban nation", an integral political ideology was formed, which was so lacking in the first uprising. While working in the USA, Marty created the Revolutionary Junta, thanks to which the necessary funds were obtained.

American capitalists advocated independence - if they leave this region, it will be easier for the United States to establish its economic order here by manipulating the terms "freedom" and "democracy". They appealed to the United States government to intervene in the struggle for independence.

The new movement was stronger economically and militarily. Even some Western planters have joined the fight. When war broke out in Oriente in 1985, the rebels had an excellent organization system and a more aggressive military strategy. In fact, the war was all but won in 1898, and the country was ready to negotiate independence.

However, when a USS near Havana was sunk by an explosion, the US military, led by Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt, saw the incident as a good excuse and invaded Cuba. The United States declared Spain responsible for the bombing and declared war. was quickly defeated, and in the Paris Treaty of 1989, the Spanish colonies (Cuba, and) became the property of America.

The victory of the Cuban people was stolen by another colonial power, the United States. In 1901, the States agreed to withdraw their troops from Cuba, but on the condition that they were given a lease of a naval base in Guantanamo (Oriente) for 99 years, the right to veto trade and military treaties, and the right to interfere in the internal affairs of the island.

The law incorporating these provisions became known as the Platt Amendments, contained in the first Cuban constitution of 1902.

In 1906, the Cubans tried again to protest the intervention of the United States - this led to a military occupation that lasted until 1909. The United States Ambassador became the de facto head of Cuba. The American corporation Cuba Colonizing Company sold Cuban land to US residents who wanted to profit from cheap investments.

Gradually, the island became the property of non-Cuban residents, which to a large extent resented the population. When America allowed Cuba to be dictated to by President Gerardo Machado y Morales (1924-1933), which led to a disregard for civil rights in favor of violence and corruption, the Cubans drafted a new constitution that repealed the hated Platt Amendments (with the exception of the naval base at Guantanamo).

Dreams of independence were shattered when Fulgencio Batista, who had already staged a coup once in 1934, seized power again in 1952 and became a military dictator. The Batista regime was supported in , which infuriated most Cubans.

A year later, in 1953, a small group of independence fighters attacked the Moncada barracks in Oriente. The rebels were defeated, most of them were executed. The leader of the group, a lawyer named Fidel Castro Ruz, was saved by the intervention of the Roman Catholic Archbishop de Cuba.

At the trial, Castro gave a five-hour speech entitled "History will justify me", which was then published as a manifesto of independence. The date of the attack on the barracks gave its name to the popular revolutionary movement Movimiento 26 de Julio ("July 26th Movement").

When Castro was released from prison, he fled to Mexico with his brother Raul Castro, Che Guevara and a small group of revolutionaries to plan the next military attack. On December 2, 1956, the revolutionaries landed a hundred miles west of the small ship Granma.

Almost all of them were captured, but the top three and a few others fled to the Sierra Maestra mountains, where they were joined by thousands of Cubans. The peasants of the Oriente helped them with food, water and housing. All of them wanted to put an end to both Batista's harsh dictatorship and its main sponsor, the US Army.

The American military and Batista soldiers outgunned the rebels, but the guerrillas had their own trump cards: knowledge of the area, support of the population, cooperation with some army deserters, non-military revolutionaries who worked in other parts of the island. The "revolutionary directorate" of the students of the University of Havana, the Communist Party, the 26th of July Movement sabotaged Batista after the Moncada attack. Thanks to joint efforts, it took only three years to overthrow the dictator from his throne.

Millions of Cubans welcomed the revolutionaries in Havana at the end of December 1958. Batista fled to , taking with him 300 million US dollars in public funds. He was later joined by wealthy Cubans supporting his regime.

Finally become truly free. When Castro spoke to the Cuban people in Havana on January 8, 1959, a white dove sat on his shoulder - then the Cubans were finally convinced that this revolution was carried out by the will of God.

National identity in Cuba

There are several ways to trace the formation of a national culture. Afro-Cuban cultural forms, in particular music and dance, were decisive in defining a new national identity within the neo-colonial republic. Afro-Cuban culture, the result of a syncretic fusion of the culture of the African community and the dominant European culture, formed the basis of the concept of modern Cuban culture.

African rhythms are organically woven into popular music, Afro-Cuban dances "son" and rumba are becoming more and more popular. When Cuba's national identity was threatened by the economic expansion of the United States in 1989, it was in Afro-Cuban music and dance that the locals found that cultural layer that was free from the ideological influence of foreign culture. For a time, Afro-Cuban culture was at the center of nationalist notions.

US policy and ideology affects Cubans in a different way. White Cubans still belong to the upper class. They live by the standards of American fashion - Cadillacs, latest technology they send their children to expensive private schools in North America. Since 1989 (since 1959 this process has intensified), the nationalist ideology has set itself in opposition to everything American.

Resentment at the 1902-1959 military incursions and American economic imperialism led Cubans to choose to forego everything related to North America. The more the US government tries to "strangle" this Cuban embargo, the more revolutionary sentiment among Cubans grows. Even those who did not like the Castro government very much are ready to defend the ideal of a free Cuba.

Since the most ardent opponent of revolutions is the United States, the same country that tried to colonize Cuba about 50 years ago, this is the only way for Cubans to achieve independence.

ethnic relations

In the 1980s, it was argued that there were no "blacks" and "whites" in Cuba, only Cubans - this was more of an ideological challenge to the colonial powers than a reflection of the real situation. Neither the gradual abolition of slavery from 1880 to 1886, nor the transfer of power over the island from the hands of Spain to did not remove the racial tension - the direct heir to slavery.

After the abolition of the slavery system in 1886, the Afro-Cubans organized the Central Directorate of the Race of Color. Nine years later, 85% of the rebel army were black soldiers who thought that when the war was won, their position in society would improve significantly. When this did not happen, in 1908 the Afro-Cubans founded the Independent Colored Party.

Its activities were banned in 1910. In 1912, protests against this decision led to the killing of Africans in Oriente. In the following years, the marginalization of Afro-Cubans and black mulattos continued despite the increasing popularity of Afro-Cuban music and dance.

The revolution of 1952-1959 was held under the slogans of an equal society. Since racism gave rise to capitalist society, it was believed that under the socialist system it would disappear. But even today, Afro-Cubans are practically not represented in the highest echelons of power.

Castro acknowledged in 1986 that more Afro-Cubans and women should be on the Central Committee, but it turned out that racism had much deeper roots in the Cuban mind than they had previously believed. The local population knows all the gradations of phenotypes and definitions that can describe different skin tones.

Spanish uses the Latin alphabet, with an additional letter "ñ" (eñe). In addition, Spanish orthography uses the following letters with acute accent: Áá Éé Íí Óó Úú, as well as ü with diaeresis to indicate the readability of this letter after the letters g and q.

In dialects of Spanish, letters with grave accent can be found: Àà Èè Ìì Òò Ùù and Çç - se-cedilla.

When reading, basically, everything is read as it is written. Spanish is characterized by a clear pronunciation of all vowels, while consonants can be swallowed or assimilated.

Basic rules for reading:

• ch - reads like a soft Russian "ch"";
• h - never read;
• z - reads like "c";
• c - before a, o, u is read as "k", and before e, i - as "c";
• g - before i it is read as Russian "х", before other vowels - as "г";
• s - reads like Russian "c", but with a slightly retracted tongue to the alveoli;
• j - reads like the Russian "x", but more tense;
• x - is read depending on the word: like Russian "s" or "x";
• the combination gu - before e, i is read as "g", "u" is not pronounced, except for writing gü;
• the combination qu - before e, i is read as "k", "u" is not pronounced, except for the combination qü.
• b and v - "fricative b": at the beginning of a word and after nasal and labial consonants, these letters denote the stop sound "b", which corresponds in pronunciation to the Russian "b". In other cases, these letters denote a semi-continuous sound between "b" and "c".

Almost all Cubans speak Spanish with exceptional clarity. The dialect encountered is similar to other Spanish-speaking Caribbean islands, although rhythmic speech and use of expressive gestures are distinctly Cuban. French took place for a short time with the emergence of slave-owning European refugees after the 1791 revolution in Haiti, but they have since died out.

The languages ​​of the indigenous population of the country have died out. The pre-Columbian population of the island was about 112,000, consisting mainly of Arawaks (Taino and sub-Taino) in the central and eastern region, as well as Guanahacabibes who fled the Arawaks and moved west to Pinar del Río. The indigenous lands were quickly occupied by the Spanish conquistadors and the natives were enslaved and used by the Europeans in mining and agriculture. Indigenous peoples resisting the new masters were killed. The rest of the population died from malnutrition, overwork, suicide and cruelty. Indigenous people Cuba virtually disappeared within fifty years of conquest.

In the resort areas of Cuba, English, German and Italian are widely used.