Cuba was discovered on October 27, 1492 by Christopher Columbus, the Genovese mariner in the service of the Castilian monarchy, but true colonization did not begin until 1511; this mission was entrusted to the commander Diego Velázquez, empowered to establish the first towns and settlements. The aboriginal population was quickly wiped out as it clashed with the colonizers; this led to the introduction on a mass scale of slave labor, brought from Africa. The contradictions between the colonial administration and the peninsular immigrants on one side and the Cubans on the other came to a head on October 10, 1868, when the aristocrat Carlos Manuel de Céspedes proclaimed the freedom of his slaves and called for a war for the liberation and independence of the country. The armed struggle for independence lasted 30 years, and in its final stage, from 1895 to 1898, known as the War of Independence, organized by José Martí, the National Hero, the hope for a free and sovereign country was dashed when the United States Government intervened in order to extend their imperial domination to include Cuba. Almost from the beginning of the American union, Cuba represented an aim for their expansionist ambition. As part of their strategy, the various United States administrations opposed the Island’s desire for independence, preferring to keep them under Spanish colonial rule until, "it should fall like a ripe fruit into the lap of the American union".

Therefore, when the efforts of the Cuban independent army had exhausted the colonial army and the Spanish treasury, the United States government, under the pretext of the mysterious explosion of the battleship Maine in the port of Havana, declared war on Spain, and took control of the remnants of their colonial empire: Cuba, the Philippines and Puerto Rico. Following four years of military occupation, the United States withdrew from Cuba after imposing the Platt Amendment on the constitution of the newly formed republic, thus giving the United States government the right to intervene in the internal affairs of the country whenever they felt that internal peace and security were threatened. Cuba was not allowed to sign treaties or international obligations with other states without the prior approval of the United States government. Furthermore, the United States government, by way of a permanent treaty, had the right to establish bases and coal bunkers in Cuba. The Naval Base that the United States government still occupies in the Cuban province of Guantánamo is the result of this imposition. Cuba had thus become a fictional republic and was, in fact, a protectorate.
On January 1st, 1959, the armed revolutionary insurrection against the Batista tyranny led by Fidel Castro took power. When the revolution triumphed, political, social and economic transformations took place in the country and the independence and sovereignty of the nation was affirmed in open confrontation with American imperialism.

Cuban Nationality

In the 18th century a new group of people with their own identity began to
take shape in Cuba, from a racial and cultural mix of the descendants of colonisers and immigrants, African slaves and the remnants of the indigenous population. They spoke the same language and were all influenced by new ideas and particular economic interests, as well as living habits and distinctive tastes, all of which differed from the characteristics of the colonial metropolis. Thus the Cuban citizen who resolutely sought self-rule was born

Language:The official language is Spanish.

Religion

Articles 8 and 55 of the Cuban Constitution establishes that: Art. 8 “The State recognizes respects and guarantees religious freedom. In the Republic of Cuba, religious institutions are separate from the State. All beliefs and religions are given equal consideration”. Art. 55 “The State, which recognizes, respects and guarantees freedom of religion and consciousness, also recognizes, respects and guarantees the freedom of each citizen to change their religious beliefs or to not have any, and to profess, while respecting the law, their faith in the religion of their choice.”

• The following is a list of some of the principle places of worship in Havana: Catedral de La Habana Plaza de la Catedral, Habana Vieja



• Catholic Church Iglesia Corpus Christi Calle 146 #904, esquina a calle 9na., Playa


• Catholic Church Catedral Episcopal Calle 6 #273 esquina a 13, Vedado


• Episcopal Church (Anglican) Iglesia Metodista en Cuba Calle K #502, entre 25 y 27, Vedado


• Methodist Church Iglesia "William Carey" de la Fraternidad de Iglesias Bautistas Calle J #555, entre 25 y 27, Vedado


• Baptist Church Iglesia "Ebenezer" de la Fraternidad de Iglesias Bautistas Avenida 53 #9609, entre 96 y 98, Marianao



• Baptist Church Convención Bautista de Cuba Occidental Zulueta #502, esquina a Dragones, Centro Habana


• Baptist Church Iglesia Evangélica Libre Avenida 71 #12834, entre 128B y 130, Marianao Pentecostal Church


• Catedral Ortodoxa de San Nicolás de Mira Calle Churruca, esquina a Avenida San Pedro, Habana Vieja


• Greek Orthodox Church Comunidad Cristiana Internacional Calle K #502, entre 25 y 27, Vedado


• Evangelic Interdenominational (Services in English)


• Asociación Cultural Yoruba de Cuba Prado #615, entre Monte y Dragones, Habana Vieja



• Sinagoga Beth Shalom de la Comunidad Hebrea) Calle I #251, entre 13 y 15, Vedado Jewish (Patronal)


• Sala de rezos, Casa de los Árabes Oficios #16, entre Obispo y Obrapía, Habana Vieja Islam (Muslim)


• Gran Logia Masónica de Cuba Avenida Salvador Allende No. 508, esq. a Padre Varela, Belascoaín, Centro Habana Freemason


• Gran Logia de la Independiente Orden de Odd‟s Fellow Avenida 20 de Mayo No. 613, Cerro, Ciudad de La Habana Freemason

Population

According to information from December 31, 2005, Cuba has a total population of 11 243 836, with 5 630 428 men and 5 613 408 women. The urban population amounts to 8 495 703, while the rural population is 2 748 133. The demographic growth is low, with a fertility rate lower than the replacement level, and less than one daughter being born to each woman. The child mortality rate is 5.8 for every thousand live births. Life expectancy is 77 years.

The Flag

The Cuban flag is composed of three blue stripes which represent the original districts into which the island was divided during colonial rule, two white stripes+ which evoke the purity of the independent ideals of the people and a red triangle which represents liberty, equality and fraternity, the color red symbolizing the blood that would have to flow in order to achieve independence, while the white, solitary star is the symbol of unity under liberty. The flag first waved over Cuba in 1850 and was adopted as the national standard by the Constituent Assembly of the Cuban Republic In Arms in 1869 in Guáimaro, Camagüey.

The Coat-of-Arms

It is the shape of an ojival shield with a golden key against a blue sea in its upper quarter, set between two extremes of land, which symbolizes the key position that Cuba holds between the two Americas. The rising sun represents the birth of a new nation. The three blue stripes, separated by two white stripes, represent the districts into which Cuba was divided during the colonial period. The Royal Palm which appears in the third sector or quarter, in the midst of a Cuban landscape, represents the abundant nature and the nobility and serene steadfastness of the Cuban people. The shield is bordered by an olive branch and an oak branch, symbols of victory and fortitude, and rests upon a bundle of staffs which represent the unity of the Cuban people, crowned by the Phrygian cap of liberty, with a solitary star, symbol of a single and indivisible nation.

The National Anthem

The music was composed in 1867 by the illustrious patriot from Bayamo, Pedro Figueredo, and was played by the rebel forces when they took the city of Bayamo on October 20, 1868, which is when its creator added the following verses. Run to battle, sons of Bayamo, For the homeland looks upon you with pride. Do not fear a glorious death, For to die for the homeland is to live. To live in chains is to live Submerged in dishonor and shame Listen to the call of the bugle And run to take up arms, brave men

The National Flower

The Mariposa Blanca (White Butterfly) is a delicate, sweetly fragranced species of jasmine

The National Bird

The Tocororo (Priotelus temnurus). A member of the Quetzal family, it displays the colors of the Cuban flag in its plumage: red, blue and blue. And, just like the flag, it symbolizes freedom, for it is unable to live in captivity.

The National Tree

The Royal Palm. Although this tree can be found throughout the Caribbean, it is particularly predominant in Cuba's landscape, providing wood and thatching material for rural constructions since early times. Its fruits are fed to cattle and its leaves are used to preserve agricultural products. But above all, it is the upright figure which it presents, standing firm in the face of the most furious of gales, which most of all commands respect and awe and symbolizes the unbending character of the Cuban people.