Cuba(Parker)



Cuba is an island country in the Caribbean. The Nation of Cuba consists of not only the main island of Cuba, but also the Isla de la Juventud, as well as several different archipelagos. The capital of the more than 11,000,000 person island in the Caribbean is Havana; a booming center of tourism, rich with culture, located on the northwestern side of the island.
 * //__ General Information __//**


 * //__ Demographics __//**

__ Age structure __ 0-14 years: 17.3% (male 984,607/female 931,167) 15-64 years: 71.1% (male 3,947,047/female 3,932,128) 65 years and over: 11.7% (male 583,757/female 708,624) (2011 est.)

__ Median age __ total: 38.4 years male: 37.6 years female: 39.2 years (2011 est.)

__ Population growth rate __ -0.104% (2011 est.)

__ Birth rate __ 9.99 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

__ Death rate __ 7.47 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

__ Net migration rate __ -3.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

__ Urbanization __ urban population: 75% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.

__ Sex ratio __ at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

__ Infant mortality rate __ total: 4.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

__ Life expectancy at birth __ total population: 77.7 years male: 75.46 years female: 80.08 years (2011 est.)

__ Total fertility rate __ 1.44 children born/woman (2011 est.)

__ HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate __ 0.1% (2009 est.)

__ HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS __ 7,100 (2009 est.)

__ HIV/AIDS – deaths __ fewer than 100 (2009 est.)

__ Major infectious diseases __ degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A vectorborne diseases: dengue fever (2009)

__ Nationality __ noun: Cuban(s) adjective: Cuban

__ Ethnic groups __ white 65.1%, mulatto and mestizo 24.8%, black 10.1% (2002 census)

__ Literacy __ definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: 99.8% female: 99.8% (2002 census)

__ People – note __ Illicit emigration is a continuing problem in Cuba as Cubans attempt to depart the island and enter the US using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, direct flights, or falsified visas. Cubans also regularily make use of non-maritime routes to enter the United States including things such as direct flights to Miami as well as flights to other locations on or near the southwest border of the US. In the fiscal year of 2011, the US Coast Guard intercepted 1,000 individuals attempting to cross the Straits of Florida.

__ School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) __ total: 18 years male: 16 years female: 19 years (2009)

__ Education expenditures __ 13.6% of GDP (2008)

__ Maternal mortality rate __ 53 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

__ Children under the age of 5 years underweight __ 3.9% (2000)

__ Health expenditures __ 11.8% of GDP (2009)

__ Physicians density __ 6.399 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

__ Hospital bed density __ 5.9 beds/1,000 population (2009)

__ Obesity - adult prevalence rate __ 11.8% (2002)


 * __ Religion __**- nominally Roman Catholics 85%, Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Jews make up the remaining 15%
 * note:** prior to CASTRO assuming power
 * __ Official Language __**- Spanish
 * __ Major Exports and Industries __**- Petroleum Refining; Tobacco Farming; Agriculture as a whole; Cigars; Tourism
 * __ Monetary System __**- Cuban Pesos

In most of the country the terrain is flat, leading into some rolling hills with some very rugged mountains in the southeast. Cuba however, does have almost 4000km of coastline resulting in beautiful beaches which lead to many tourists visiting each and every year and thereby boosting their economy. The geography of Cuba also leads to much agriculture which is one of the main methods of acquiring the food consumed in Cuba; that agriculture also allows Cuba another method of making money and increasing their economy. The climate of Cuba is relatively tropical with winds that blow year-round. In general, there is a drier season from November to April, and a rainier season from May to October. The average temperature is about 70 °F in January and 80 °F in July. The warm temperatures of the Caribbean Sea and the fact that Cuba sits across the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico make the country prone to frequent hurricanes. Hurricanes most often occur in September and October.
 * //__ Geography __//**

Cuba was discovered by Christopher Columbus during his first voyage on October 28th 1492. He took possession in the name of the Catholic monarchs of Spain, and named it Juana in honor of Don Juan. He visited the island again in 1494, and in 1502, and every time he visited, he explored part of the coast. After several trips, he was convinced that it was part of the mainland, and it was not until 1508 when Sebastian Ocampo, circumnavigated it, and proved it to be an island that he was convinced otherwise. On May 20, 1902, the United States granted Cuba its independence but retained the right to intervene in order to preserve Cuban independence and stability under the Platt Amendment. In 1934, the amendment was repealed; however, the United States and Cuba agreed to continue the portion of the 1903 agreement that leased the Guantanamo Bay naval base to the United States.
 * //__ History __//**

The political climate in Cuba is still very tense even though Fidel Castro is out of official power now. The current leader of the Communist State is Raul Castro; the relative of former leader Fidel Castro. Under his control, the government still controls the lives of the people there just as much as they did during Fidel Castro’s rein. Relations with the US are still tense and the US embargo is still in effect. Even though talks regarding removing the embargo have been un-officially going on for quite sometime, no official talks have gained any momentum.
 * //__ Government and Politics __//**

The culture of Cuba a mixing pot of different countries all mixed into one; European, African, North American, as well as Indian all mixed into one. One example of traditional Cuban cuisine, or //criollo// as it is called, is //moros y cristianos//, "Moors and Christians", rice with black beans. //Criollo// uses many different seasonings, with some of the most common being onion and garlic-flavored tobacco. Cassava, rice, beans, eggs, tomatoes, lettuce, chicken, beef and pork are all common ingredients. January 1 Triumph of the Revolution May 1 Labour Day October 10 Independence Day December 25 Christmas
 * //__ Culture __//**
 * __ Cuisine __**: The most popular foods are black beans, rice, and meat.
 * __ Sports __**: Baseball is currently the most enjoyed and most popular game in Cuba, mainly due to the fact that Fidel Castro was an avid baseball fan and caused it to gain popularity during his rein in power. Football (soccer) is not a largley enjoyed game in Cuba however over the past few years, it has gained a large amount of support.
 * __ Holidays __**:
 * __ Music __**: Cuban music history is very rich and is the most commonly known expression of culture. A common form of expression is music called Son, which has been the basis of many other musical styles like salsa and an upbeat derivation of the rumba, the cha-cha-cha.


 * //__ Tourism __//**


 * __ Bellamar __****__ Caves[[image:bellamar_caves.jpg width="271" height="260" align="right"]] __**

Near one of Cuba's top resort towns, and not far from Havana, are the amazing Cuevas de Bellamar, or Bellamar Caves. This cave system, which has been one of the top Cuban attractions for more than a century, can be accessed from Varadero, Havana or the port city of Matanzas. If you have never been in a cave before,the Bellamar Caves would be a great first experience. For those that have been before, Bellamar Caves is like nothing you have ever experienced.


 * __ Scuba Diving (Cayo Largo)[[image:cayo_largo.jpg width="262" height="268" align="right"]] __**


 * Cayo Largo del Sur**, also known simply as **Cayo Largo**, is a small resort island belonging to Cuba, in the Caribbean Sea. It is the second-biggest island in Cuba's Canarreos Archipelago. One of Cuba's many wonderful beaches, Cayo Largo is most certainly one you do not want to miss. If you love to Scuba Dive or would like to learn how, Cayo Largo is the perfect oportunity.


 * __ Beaches (Varadero)[[image:varadero.jpg width="260" height="265" align="right"]] __**


 * Varadero** is a resort town in the province of Matanzas, Cuba. Varadero is also called **//P//****laya Azul**, meaning "blue beach" in Spanish. Millions of tourists come to visit this fantastic beach every year. With beautiful blue water it is one place you don't want to miss.

=**__ US __****__ weighs risk of Cuba oil spill __**=
 * //__ Current Events __//**

Experts urge preparation as drilling rig arrives in island
This article was regarding a US congressional subcommittee’s meeting in Florida about the possibility of a Cuban oil spill. Late last month, a huge oil rig arrived in Cuba to begin deepwater drilling. The subcommittee meeting was focused on the US preparedness for an oil spill that could occur in Cuba. Due to the very tense relations between the US and Cuba, preparing for a disaster such as this is made even more difficult. After the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, oil spills are a huge concern for the United States and specifically the Florida area. Due to swift water that comes from Cuba to the US, the measures taken in the Deepwater Horizon spill would be made near impossible. Burning or straining the oil such as was done in 2010 would most likely be unable to be effective. Future talks and plans regarding preparation will continue however, as of now no plans are in effect to deal with a oil spill.

On 2/15/12 the US Senate finally confirmed Adalberto Jordan to the 11th Circuit of the US Court of Appeals which is the second highest court system in the US. After months of Republican filibuster, a vote was finally allowed and ended up being 94-5 with 5 Republicans voting against the nomination.
 * __ Senate confirms Cuban-born Adalberto Jordan __**


 * //__ Sources: __//**

[] [|https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cu.htm] [] [] []

Go Duke 85-84 **note:** prior to CASTRO assuming power