last edited Dec 11, 2019
Overview of Cuba
Quick Overview
Under the Tropic of Cancer, stretching 1,250 kilometres in an alternating landscape of plains and mountains, Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean and the second most populous. With its beaches, landscapes, and rich historical and cultural heritage, it is also a major tourist destination. However, this does not make it a wealthy country...
For decades, the country has indeed lived under a dictatorial system. After Batista’s dictatorship in the 1950s, the population had to endure the Castro regime, which, while it achieved some social successes (healthcare, education, public services), also led the country into a near-permanent economic collapse. A collapse to which the U.S. embargo, which has long since lost its justification, has also contributed. In short, Cuban society gets by as best it can and survives more than it lives. Over a million of its members live abroad, primarily in Florida. However, since Fidel Castro stepped down in favour of his brother Raúl (and then his successor), things have improved slightly, and it is possible that one day Cuba may finally become a "normal" country...
Key Facts
- Latitude/longitude: 21.30' N, 80.00' W.
- Local time:
- Capital: Havana.
- Nature of the state: single-party communist dictatorship.
- Official language: Spanish.
- Currency: Cuban peso (CUP) and convertible peso (CUC).
- Population: 11,116,396 inhabitants (2018).
- Area: 110,860 km².
- Density: 101 inhabitants/km².
- Highest point: Pico Turquino (1,974 m).
- Lowest point: sea level.
- Coastline: 3,735 km.
- Driving: on the right.
- Flag: [drapeau: Cuba]
Tourism
With 4.684 million visitors in 2018 (2 million more than in 2010) and $3.5 billion in revenue, Cuba remains one of the Caribbean’s top tourist destinations. Its beaches, all-inclusive resorts, rich architectural and historical heritage, as well as the image of a unique society and culture, are all strong draws for Cuban tourism. If the country’s opening to American tourists—officially absent for decades (and even more so since the 2019 sanctions) due to the U.S. embargo—were less "chaotic," this enthusiasm would only grow... potentially altering life on the island significantly (for better or worse?).
While awaiting this possible massive influx from the U.S., Cuba currently welcomes visitors primarily from Canada (over a million), Germany, Italy, England, and over 200,000 French travellers (209,000 in 2017).
Travel Essentials
- Destination: for beginner travellers.
- By air: France - Havana for 600 to 900 € round trip.
- Entry requirements: passport + tourist card + health insurance certificate.
- Currency to bring: euro (or Canadian dollar).
- Exchange rate:
- Daily "backpacker" budget: 35 to 50 € per person.
- Accommodation: all-inclusive for beach stays, casas particulares for travel or budget trips.
- Getting around: bus or (if budget allows) rental car.
- Risks: low in terms of health and safety.
- Best time for climate/crowds/prices: November to early December and late March to May.
- Interests (out of ): Nature / ; Adventure ; Culture ; Relaxation/Holidays .
Addresses in France
Tourist Office: 280 bd Raspail, 75014 Paris. Tel.: 01 45 38 90 10.
Cubana: 41 bd du Montparnasse, 75006 Paris. Tel.: 01 53 63 23 23.
Addresses in Belgium, Switzerland
Addresses in Quebec
Cuba Tourism Bureau: 2075 rue de l'Université, bureau 460, Montréal, QC H3A-2L1. Tel.: (514) 875 8004.
Cubana: 620 rue St-Jacques, Suite 10, Montréal, QC H3C 1C7. Tel.: (514) 871 1222.
Socio-Economic Statistics
- "Quality of life": 73/188 (rank in 2018)
- GDP per capita: $12,300 (2016)
- Average monthly income: $30 (2012)
- Inflation: +5.5% (2017)
- "Official" unemployment: 2.6% (2017)
- Population below poverty line:
- Life expectancy: 78.9 years (2018)
- Migration rate per 1,000 inhabitants: -4.9 (2017)
- Population growth: -0.27% (2018)
- Literacy rate: 99.8% (2015)
- Urban population: 77% (2018)
- Press freedom: 172/180 (rank in 2018)
- Political regime: Authoritarian regime (142/167 in 2018)
Sources: World Bank, Human Development Indicators, RSF, The Economist, The World Factbook