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Cuba

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description Cuba Overview

Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean, with Havana as its capital, and has been a one-party socialist state since the 1959 revolution led by Fidel Castro. Old Havana's Spanish colonial core is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and pre-revolution American cars from the 1950s remain in daily use. Music traditions such as son and mambo, along with cigar and rum production, are closely associated with the island. A United States trade embargo, in place since the early 1960s, continues to shape its economy.

help Cuba FAQ

Why are 1950s American cars so common in Cuba?

Many American cars arrived before the 1959 Cuban Revolution and later remained in service because importing replacement vehicles and parts became difficult. Cuban mechanics kept them running through extensive repairs, rebuilt engines, and improvised parts.

What happened in Cuba's 1959 revolution?

The revolution led by Fidel Castro overthrew Fulgencio Batista's government in 1959. Cuba then developed into a one-party socialist state.

What is special about Old Havana?

Old Havana preserves a Spanish colonial urban core with plazas, arcades, courtyards, and fortifications. UNESCO added Old Havana and its fortification system to the World Heritage List in 1982. [UNESCO](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/204/)

Is Cuba the largest island in the Caribbean, and what is its capital?

Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean, and Havana is its capital and largest city. Havana's historic center, coastal Malecón, music, and preserved classic cars are central parts of its identity.