SOME USEFUL FACTS
Climate
The climate in Cuba is temperate sub-tropical. The climatic behavior is less variable, even when the rainfall regimen defines two stations: dry- considered winter, which goes between November and April, and rainy, which presents all the characteristics of the Caribbean summer, from May to October.
Official language
Spanish.
Population
Cuba has a population of over 11 million of inhabitants, which places it among the four most populated countries of the Caribbean and makes it the first among the insular ones in this region. The demonym is Cuban.
The capital and other notes
Havana, with over two million of inhabitants, is the capital city of Cuba. According to the current political-administrative division, there are 14 provinces, in addition to the Special Municipality of Isla de la Juventud. From west to east, the Cuban provinces are: Pinar del Rio, Havana, Ciudad de La Havana, Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila, Camaguey, Las Tunas, Holguin, Granma, Santiago de Cuba and Guantanamo.
Health
Cuba has a unique health system in Latin America, with successful efforts based on the primary attention with total coverage of the population, with 158 inhabitants per doctor and strict epidemiological watch. Assistance services are free, the child mortality rate is 5.3 per 100 live births and the life expectancy is 77 years.
Education
Cuban population has a high level of education and instruction. Education is free and is represented in each one of the provinces from kindergarten to superior level. In the last 35 years, the Cuban teaching system has promoted thousands of professionals. Analphabetism was eradicated in 1961.
Cuban culture
Cuban music is internationally known. When it comes to literature and fine arts, the country also raises interest. Artistic education in function of the nation’s cultural development is available for everyone. Theaters, ballet, over 200 museums, art galleries, movie theaters and numerous libraries are open throughout Cuba to set the infrastructure of cultural institutions that allows satisfying the most varied interests.
Religion
Cuba is a lay state that guarantees freedom of religion. Catholics and those devoted of afrocuban cults are a majority among practitioners, although there are other denominations and tendencies as well.