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Cuba was off-limits to so many tourists for so long, but now that it has reopened to tourism, it is gaining popularity. More than just wanting to see the beautiful and picturesque land, tourists also want to know why it’s such a fantastic destination.
Cuba, an island of vintage vehicles and pastoral living in the same frame, nevertheless holds intrigue for even the most seasoned foreign tourists. Even though Cuba is only 90 miles from the United States, it exemplifies how little distance means in today’s society.
Famous for its fierce independence, Cuba has maintained its identity despite local commercialism, creating a special destination with amazing restaurants, historic buildings, unspoiled beaches, and more.
Consider going there for your upcoming vacation. Here are 10 interesting, fun facts about Cuba you should know before visiting. ( fun facts about Cuba).
Here are 10 Fun facts About Cuba:
1. Cuba is the Largest Island in the Caribbean.
Cuba is the largest and most populated country in the Caribbean, with a territory of 109,884 km2 and a population of over 11.5 million. The most interesting fun fact about Cuba must be this one.
It is a long and narrow island, measuring 777 miles (1,250 km) long, 119 miles (191 km) across at its widest point, and 19 miles (31 km) across at its narrowest point. It is generally oriented from northwest to southeast.
Seeing as much of the county as possible would be best because it is so big. There are a lot of tourists who only visit Havana, but there are a lot of other wonderful destinations to visit, such as Viales, Trinidad, Baracoa, and others. We strongly advise at least a one- or two-week Cuba itinerary if you want to see as much of the nation as possible.
2. Cuba has Two Forms of Currency.
Cuba has two forms of currency: the Cuban Peso, the country’s official unit of exchange, and the Cuban Convertible Peso, which tourists use.
Using the Cuban Peso as a form of payment was once prohibited. However, this restriction was also phased off, so visitors had the option of using either money for a while. Additionally, their values varied, with the convertible Peso being equivalent to about 25 Cuban pesos.
Locals only use the CUP (Cuban Pesos) currency. The other is CUC (Cuban Convertible Pesos), which has a 1:1 conversion rate with the US dollar and is intended for tourists. This makes doing mental calculations while traveling around Cuba quite simple.
Many shops also accept US dollars, so while you’re on vacation, you might want to keep a few dollars in your pocket.
3. There are Nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Cuba.
Of all the fun facts about Cuba, this is definitely the one that makes the country proud. No less than nine UNESCO sites may be found around Cuba, which is proud of them. These include the historic districts of Cienfuegos and Camagüey, the city of Trinidad, the Viales Valley, and Alejandro de Humboldt National Park.
The nine locations in Cuba are spread across the entire island; two more were picked for their natural value, while the remaining seven were chosen for their cultural relevance. The nine locations are listed below:
- Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca
- Viales Valley
- Old Havana and its Fortifications
- Alejandro de Humboldt National Park
- Desembarco del Granma National Park
- Trinidad and the Valle de Los Ingenios
- Historic Centre of Cienfuegos
- Historic Centre of Camagüey
- and Archaeological Landscapes of the First Coffee Plantations in the South-East of Cuba.
Of these, Old Havana is probably the most famous Unesco Heritage Site in Cuba. However, there are still eight more to discover, including two natural sites.
4. Officially, Cuba prohibits the Sale of Coca-Cola.
Only two nations in the world—Cuba and North Korea—are recognized for having outlawed Coca-Cola. However, don’t worry; you can still purchase your favorite Coca-Cola when visiting this location.
Coca-Cola can be found in several hotel convenience stores and is occasionally offered under tables as well. However, it is far more expensive than the Tukola version, which is available locally.
5. Tobacco, Sugar, and Nickel are Cuba’s Top Three Exports.
The Cuban cigar, widely regarded as the gold standard of cigars and a key export, is the main tobacco product. In addition to being sold in rum form, sugar is also exported in its raw form.
Regarding nickel, it’s estimated that Cuba still has about five million metric tons of deposits. The majority of the nickel is ultimately used abroad to create alloys such as stainless steel. As a result, the nation comes in fifth place, behind Indonesia, Australia, Brazil, and Russia.
Even though smoking is unhealthy, many people still have a soft spot in their hearts for Cuban cigars. The finest cigars in the world are thought to come from Cuba. They are regarded as the world’s best cigars. The state-owned Cubatabaco handles Cuba’s entire cigar industry. El Habano is another name for the Cuban cigar.
90% of Cuban cigars are sold to the government, and the remaining 10% are available for private sales by tobacco growers. I’m sure you did not see these fun facts about Cuba coming your way.
6. 70,000 Licensed Medical Professionals Work in Cuba.
The government also sends doctors abroad despite having more than 70,000 qualified medical professionals. As a result, you are already aware of the nation’s stellar reputation in the field of healthcare. But did you know that they also have the highest doctor-to-patient ratio anywhere in the world?
It’s believed that Cuban doctors working abroad bring home 8 billion dollars, making doctor exports more valuable than the entire tourism sector.
7. You Can See the World’s Smallest Bird (Bee Hummingbird) and Frog (Monte Iberia Eleuth) in Cuba.
If you enjoy bird watching, then you’re in for a treat. The bee hummingbird, the tiniest bird in the world, lives in Cuba. This little critter is only 2.5 inches long and less than a tenth of an ounce in weight.
If you’re interested in birding, there are lots of different species to get enthusiastic about. In addition to pygmy owls and the vibrant Tody, native parrot species in Cuba include the Cuban Amazon parrot and the Cuban parakeet.
You owe it to yourself to see the vibrant flocks of flamingos that call Cuba home, even if you’re not an avid birdwatcher! In the western hemisphere, this is the best area to watch flamingos.
The Monte Iberia Eleuth, often called the Monte Iberia dwarf frog, is an eleutherodactylid frog. With a length from snout to vent of roughly 10 mm, it is the third-smallest frog in the world and the smallest in the Northern Hemisphere. It is endemic to the rainforest in a limited area of eastern Cuba and is highly threatened.
About this tiny organism, much is yet unknown. Its name comes from Mount Iberia in the Holguin Province, where it was initially identified in 1993. It is a member of a closely related group of species found in Cuba. The majority are small, somewhat vividly colored, and likely aposematic. The group includes five other recognized species and at least one undescribed species.
8. Baseball is Cuba’s Favorite Sport.
Baseball is believed to have started in Cuba in the 1860s. Historians disagree on the cause of its emergence on the island. Still, it has been attributed partly to American sailors who moored there and partly to Cuban students who returned home after attending US schools and universities.
The sport was outlawed in Cuba in 1869 by the country’s then-Spanish colonial authorities, which is said to have paradoxically given it a boost since it came to symbolize the fight for independence from Spain. The prohibition did not last long; the first formal games were played in 1874.
9. Cuba’s Literacy Rate and Life Expectancy are Both Impressive.
Despite being a relatively underdeveloped nation by international standards, Cuba has a strong welfare state that, at least according to statistics, does a good job of providing for its residents. A staggering 99.7% of Cubans are now literate, a significant increase from just 65 years ago.
Aside from being well respected internationally, Cuban healthcare also boasts a life expectancy that is almost comparable to that of the US.
10. Fidel Castro was the Father of the Cuban Revolution.
The global order was significantly upended in 1959. Under the nose of the capitalist superpower, the United States, a group of revolutionary rebels ousted their military dictatorship and installed a socialist government on a small Caribbean island.
Since spearheading the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, who is often seen holding a Cuban cigar in his mouth and wearing guerilla gear, has come to represent the communist revolution across Latin America. ( fun facts about Cuba) Indeed, Fidel Castro was both admired and despised for the violent and swift revolution of Cuba’s culture and economy that he controlled.
We sincerely hope you have enjoyed learning fun facts about Cuba. It’s a fantastic location, and traveling there is simpler than ever. These fun facts about Cuba ought to clarify some common misconceptions about this nation.
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Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty