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CACarribbean > cuba > Introduction
C U B A |
| Bringing up the rear, as Communism
walks into the parlour for a capital makeover, Cuba is just walking through the swing
door. Revolutionised, somewhat ravaged, part good, part ugly, totally rummy, here’s a
country that loves the traveller as much as the traveller is going to love her. Stung
sharp by the collapse of the Soviet Union that used to subsidise the Cuban economy to the
tune of millions of dollars, Cuba went into a severe and protracted economic recession. |
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| Ten years hence however,
Cuba managed to recover somewhat and is courting you, the tourist, carrier of valuable
foreign exchange, with customary Cuban gusto. |
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And why would you not go here? Time
was when cash-strapped, ideology-rich co-eds flocked to the sugar plantations to help sow
and reap; time is now when snazzy beachfront hotels and a spruced up country welcome the
Caribbean enthusiast. Beaches, sunshine, the throb and shake of salsa and son and rumba,
the rum, mellow habanos, rich coffee, angst and enthusiasm fill your every cup to the
brim. Visit now; get there before Castro really dies. |
F A C
T B O X |
| Area |
110, 860 sq km |
| Population |
11, 184, 023 (July 2001 estimate) |
| Capital City |
Havana |
| Language |
Spanish |
Religion |
Sanateria, Catholics, Protestant, Jews |
| Government |
Communist Republic |
| People |
Mulatto 51%, White 37%, Black 11%, Chinese 1% |
| Head of State |
Fidel Castro |
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