General Country: Republic of Cuba (CU). Nationality: Cuban(s). Language: Spanish. Capital: Havana. Population: 11,423,952 (July 2008 est.). Climate: Tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October). Weather today: click here for intellicast weather forecast.

Geography

Coastline: 3,735 km.

Geographic coordinates: 21 30 N, 80 00 W.

Highest point: Pico Turquino 2,005 m.

Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, Florida.

Size: 1000 km x 374 km (110,860 sq km).

Terrain: Mostly flat to rolling plains, with rugged hills and mountains in the southeast.
 

Tourist Information

Overview: Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean, only 144 km (90 miles) from the shores of the United States. It is one of the most beautiful Caribbean islands and very interesting, too. Most Cubans are good educated and very friendly. Alike any other areas in the world there are pros and cons. Since Cuba has a communist dictatorship, some strange behaviour is common. Travellers should be aware that they are not in a democratic country. 

Accommodations: All inclusive resorts, hotels of all categories, casas particulares.

Activities: Swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, cycling.

Average tourist arrivals: 2,429,809 (2009).

Driving: On the left site. A valid driver's license is required. A seat belt law is in effect which applies to every person in the vehicle including children. 

Electricity: 110 volts AC, 60 cycles, but most hotels and resorts have 220 volts. US two prongs thin plug are used in Cuba, English and European plugs are very hard to find.

Entry Requirements: European nationals must have a valid passport and a Tourist Card ("Tarjeta del Turista"), if coming for touristic purposes. US citizens must be licensed by the Department of Treasury in order to travel to Cuba, but travel to the country is strictly controlled and only select categories of travellers are licensable. Many US citizens fligh from Mexico to Cuba, since there is no passport stamping in Cuba.

Telephone: The international country code is 53. There are two different cell phone networks (TDMA and GSM). Cuba currently have roaming agreements with several countries.

Time: UTC-5. Daylight saving time: +1 hour, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October.
 

Money

Cost of living: Depending where you stay and how you travel, but generally moderate. Havanna is ranked number 197 of the most expensive places in the world (Barbados 108, Tampa Fla 235).

Credit cards: Major credit cards are excepted only in some banks, tourist hotels and tourist shops. 

Currency: Cuban peso (CUP) and Convertible peso (CUC). Convertible pesos per US dollar - 0.9259 (2007). Cuba has two currencies in circulation: the Cuban peso (CUP) and the convertible peso (CUC); enterprises must exchange CUP and CUC at a 1:1 ratio.

Tipping: Most restaurants add a 10 % to 15 % charge in lieu of tipping, so check your bill carefully. Hotels also often add a 10 % service charge to your bill. Taxi drivers expect a 10 % to 15 % tip. Bartenders & Waitresses: 15-20% of the bill. Dive/Fishing Boat Captain and Crew: $10-$20. Bell Captain & Bellman: $1-$2 per bag. Hotel Courtesy Shuttle Drivers: at least $1 or more per person or $4-$5 per party. Maids/Housekeepers: $1 or $2 per day is adequate, usually left at the end of your stay. Valet Parking Attendants: $1-$2. 
 

Air Transport

Airport: (Havana) Jose Martí International Airport (HAV). The airport is situated 15km (9 miles) southwest of Havana. Avoid illegal taxis. From Havana, take Avenida Rancho Boyeros until Avenida Van Troy.

Departure Tax: (Cuban Convertible pesos) in cash.

Flight Times: The shortest connecting flight time from New York is 5 hours and 40 minutes. Miami: 0.5 hours. Atlanta: 1.5 hours. Newark: 3 hours. London: 10 hours. Frankfurt: 10,5 hours.

National Airline: Cayman Airways; operates 3 Boeing 737-200's, 2 Boeing 737-300 jets, and 2 Twin Otter aircraft from its base in Grand Cayman with service to: Cayman Brac and Little Cayman; Miami, New York, Tampa, Orlando, Houston and Chicago in the United States; Havana, Cuba; Kingston and Montego Bay, Jamaica. 
 

Water Transport

Ferry Terminal: From the Malecon in Havanna ferries are leaving to Jamaica, Cancun in Mexico and Key West in Florida.

Ports and harbors: Cienfuegos, Havana, Matanzas.
 

Politics

Ethnic groups: Mulatto 51 %, white 37 %, black 11 %, Chinese 1 %.

Government type: Communist state.

Legal system: Based on Spanish civil law and influenced by American legal concepts, with large elements of Communist legal theory; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction.

Literacy: 99.8 % (2002 census).

Political Status: British Overseas Territory.

Religions: Nominally 85 % Roman Catholic prior to CASTRO assuming power; Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, and Santeria are also represented.
 

Economy

Agriculture-products: Sugar, tobacco, citrus, coffee, rice, potatoes, beans; livestock.

GDP per capita: US$ 4,500 (2007 est.).

Industries: Sugar, petroleum, tobacco, construction, nickel, steel, cement, agricultural machinery, pharmaceuticals.

Natural resources: Cobalt, nickel, iron ore, chromium, copper, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, arable land.

Unemployment rate: 1.9 % (2007 est.).