Cuba is a paradoxical country. At the same time it seems that the island stopped in time, back in the 1950s, it is constantly changing, especially in recent months, after the rapprochement with the United States. Before traveling to the island in September, I did a lot of research and asked friends who had visited the country a short time before and when we got there many things were already different from what they had told me. So to make the trip to Cuba easier for the first time, I made a list of things you need to know before you go.
This information was passed to me by my college professor when he said that my next trip would be to Cuba!
1 - The largest cities in Cuba are Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Camagüey, Holguín and Santa Clara.
2 - Havana, the Cuban capital, has more than 2 million inhabitants.
3 - Cuba was discovered by Christopher Columbus.
4 - The socialist regime of the country does not allow freedom of the press. All communication is controlled by the Castro government.
5 - Cuba still has political prisoners.
6 - The rhythm of salsa started in Cuba.
7 - The main Cuban product is cigars, considered the best in the world. The most traditional brand is Cohiba.
8 - In Cuba, access to the internet and telephones is controlled.
9 - Cubans can not buy or sell real estate. All real estate negotiation is done by swaps on the island.
10 - The country has free education and health systems for the population.
11 - Cuba is a secular country, but it allows religious freedom.
12 - In Cuba, 99% of the population knows how to read and write. The socialist regime managed to end illiteracy.
13 - In Cuba, there are two official coins: the Peso y Peso convertible.
14 - Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba in 1959.
15 - 60% of Cuba's population is Catholic.
16 - The day of the Cuban revolution is celebrated on January 1st.
17 - Due to the embargo of the United States, in Cuba it is prohibited to take Coca-Cola legally.
18 - Cuba is the natural habitat of the hummingbird, the smallest bird in the world.
19 - The government controls the incomes of the population and limits their mobility outside the country. Throughout history, many people have tried to escape from Cuban control and risked crossing the sea to the United States.