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Alternate meanings: Cuba (god), Cuba, New Hampshire, Cuba, New York

The Republic of Cuba is a Communist state located on the island of Cuba in the northern Caribbean Sea.

History

Main article: History of Cuba

The native population of Cuba was conquered by Spain in the 16th century. Starting in the mid 19th century the Cubans struggled to be independent of Spain. The United States of America intervened in the Spanish American War, occupying the island until recognizing independence in 1902; however the United States exersized considerable control over the Cuban government through the mid 20th century.

Fidel Castro led a rebel army to victory in 1959 against dictator Fulgencio Batista. He has led the country ever since. Between April 17 and 21 1961, there was a failed invasion of the Bay of Pigs by about 1500 revolution refugees, recruited, paid and trained by the United States' Central Intelligence Agency.

The country is now slowly recovering from a severe economic recession following the withdrawal of former Soviet subsidies, worth $4 billion to $6 billion annually, in 1990, and the strict US trade embargo in place since 1962.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Cuba

Cuba is republic led by President Fidel Castro, who is Chief of State, Head of Government, First Secretary of the Cuban Communist Party, and commander in chief of the armed forces. Many aspects of Cuban life are controlled through the Communist Party and its affiliated mass organizations, the government bureaucracy, and the state security apparatus. The Ministry of Interior is the principal organ of state security and control.

The Communist Party is constitutionally recognized as Cuba's only legal political party. The party monopolizes all government positions, including judicial offices.

Provinces

Main article: Provinces of Cuba

Cuba is divided into 14 provinces (provincias) and 1 special municipality (municipio especial), marked by a *:

Geography

Main article: Geography of Cuba

The Island of Cuba is located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Florida. It is the largest island in the Carribean. The Republic comprises the entire island, as well as Isla de la Juventud, however Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Cuba

The Cuban Government continues to adhere to socialist principles in organizing its state-controlled economy. Most of the means of production are owned and run by the government and about 75 percent of the labor force is employed by the state. The state under the durable dictatorship of Fidel Castro plays the primary role in the domestic economy and controls practically all foreign trade.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Cuba

Cuba is a multiracial society with a population of mainly Spanish and African origins. The largest organized religion is the Roman Catholic Church. Afro-Cuban religions, a blend of native African religions and Roman Catholicism, are widely practiced in Cuba. Officially, Cuba has been an atheist state for most of the Castro era.

Culture

See: Culture of Cuba, Music of Cuba

Miscellaneous topics

• List of places in Cuba
• List of Cubans

External Links