Cuban Facts, Figures and Unusual Information
Just like any country worldwide, Cuba has some interesting cultural traits and many of these are often unknown to visiting tourists.
Below I have listed what I think are some of the most interesting and unusual aspects of Cuban culture.
1. Literacy
Cuba is known to have one of the highest literacy rates in the world, with over 99 in every 100 people being able to read and write.
This is despite the poverty in the last fifty years, with the Castro government having continually allocated a significant percentage of the country’s budget to education.
2. Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro managed to stay in power long enough to see 10 U.S. presidents come and go, during his reign in power.
These included George Bush, Bill Clinton, Richard Nixon, and Jimmy Carter.
3. Mobile Phone Technology
Cuban citizens were only permitted to own mobile phones (called cell phones in the United States) from 2008, when the government lifted the ban on ownership.
Some citizens did already own a mobile phone but only if someone from outside of Cuba had registered the phone in their own name and address.
4. Public Advertising
If you visit Cuba and walk around a city such as Havana, you may or may not notice that there is actually no public advertising such as on billboards or posters, etc.
As a result of the government controlling most goods, there has been little need for this form of advertising from sellers.
This is gradually changing.
5. Health Care
Cuba has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. In addition to its literacy rates, Cuba is also one of the world leaders when it comes to training medical personnel.
Havana’s Latin America Medical School is the largest medical school in the world.
The medical school provides one of the leading courses for medical professionals in dealing with Ebola, offering a two-week specialist training course for professionals.
6. Coca Cola
You cannot find Coca-Cola in Cuba.
Given the global brand’s presence in so many countries globally, it is perhaps almost positive to know that Cuba has until now at least, escaped this beverage.
7. Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is protected by Cuban law and certain drivers, including the military, are by law required to stop and pick people up.
Hitchhiking is promoted by the government, as a result of low car ownership.
Many people cannot afford petrol (gasoline) let alone a car.
8. Climate
Cuba has a tropical climate, with a dry season between November and April, with a wet season between May and October.
9. John Lennon
Fidel Castro was a huge fan of the Beatles star John Lennon. As a result, Castro named a park after the singer.
John Lennon Park can be found in the Vedado district of Havana, just by Calle 8.
The park is open to the public and is a popular place with tourists.
10. Language
The official language of Cuba is Spanish, in line with many countries in Latin America, where either Spanish or Portuguese tends to be spoken.
The English language though is spoken quite widely and this has increased in recent years with many tourists from countries such as the UK taking holidays in Cuba, in locations such as Varadero and Cayo Coco.
11. Coast
The country has more than two hundred and fifty beaches and more than four thousand small islands and cays and the main island is the largest of all the Caribbean islands.
12. Sport
In addition to dance, music, and literature, sport is very important to the people of this island.
Baseball is the national sport but Cuba also produces many world-class boxers.
13. The Crocodile
– Locals now their island affectionately as ‘El Cocodrilo’, which is the Spanish for the word crocodile.
The reason for this is that locals consider that the shape of the main island is similar to that of a crocodile.
14. The Spanish
The reason in fact why Cubans speak Spanish is because, up until the 10th of December 1898, Spain owned the islands.
15. Exports
The island exports a number of products and these include nickel, sugar, tobacco and cigars, and medical equipment.
They tend to import products that include petroleum, chemicals, and food.
16. The diversity of the population
The population of Cuba is extremely diverse.
Over 35% of the population is Spanish, whilst mixed Spanish-African accounts for half of the population.
There are also significant numbers of Africans and Asians, meaning that Cuba has a diverse and constantly evolving culture.
17. The Elderly
It is polite to speak more formally to older people or to strangers as a sign of respect.
Cubans consider it appropriate to speak to older people and strangers in a more formal manner than they would their friends.
This polite outlook contributes to a pleasant visiting experience for tourists.
18. Business
It is preferred that you keep a low profile when conducting business with a Cuban national. If, for example, you are exchanging money with a taxi driver, they would prefer that you prepare the money during the journey as opposed to drawing attention to the transaction by counting in the open.
19. Ballet
The Cuban National Ballet is highly acclaimed worldwide.
This dance troupe is a professional group that tours many countries annually and is well respected within the dance world.
