km2, locating
itself at the entrance of the Gulf of Mexico, in the Caribbean Sea. Cuba limits to the
North with Florida (United States of America) to 180 km; to the South, with Jamaica, to
140 km; to the East with Haití, to 77 km and, to the West, with the Yucatán Peninsula
(Mexico), to 210 km of distance. Cuba is essentially a 70% flat and has three big mountain
ranges: Sierra of Organs in the Western region, Sierra of Escambray in the Center region
and Sierra Maestra in the Eastern region, which includes Turquino Peak, the country's
highest point with 1 974 meters (5 933 feet) over the sea level. The climate of Cuba is considered
subtropical moderate, prevailing the tropical maritime conditions. The annual medium
temperature is of 25,2 C degrees (77F) in summer and 22C (71,6F) in winter, since two well
defined seasons are observed: the dry, from November to April and the rains, from May to
October. The raining average is of 1 059 mm in the rainy period and of 316 mm in the dry
one, for a rain annual average of 1 375 mm.
Cuban coasts reach 5
746 km of extension, being the biggest the north coast with 3 209 km. There are excellent
beaches, bays, ports and cities along the coasts.
According to estimated figures,
Cuba´s population is of 11 000 000 inhabitants, with an annual growing rate of 0,6 per
each 100. A gradually aging of the population has been noticed since the 90´s, being the
older than 65 years of age the 12% of the total.
Spanish is the official
language of the Republic, using English very much in commercial and cultural matters, and
in international contacts.
Cuba is politically and
administratively divided in 14 provinces, 168 municipalities and a special municipality.
From West to East the provinces are Pinar del Rio; Havana; Havana City; Matanzas; Villa
Clara; Cienfuegos; Sancti Espíritus; Camagüey; Ciego de Avila; Las Tunas; Holguín;
Granma; Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo. The special municipality Island of Youth is
located South of Havana province.
Havana City is the capital of
the country. The cities: Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, Camagüey, Cienfuegos, Matanzas,
Pinar del Rio, Ciego de Avila, Villa Clara, Bayamo and Guantánamo are also important
because of its economic development and population.
Education is free at all
education levels, as well as the study materials. There are no illiterates in the country,
having 300 000 teachers, 47 centers of superior education, 21 200 professors and 276 000
students. There are over 3 millions of students registered in the whole national system of
education.
There are universities or
university faculties in all the provinces, second education, specialized, polytechnic
institutes, and others.
Cuba's health system is considered
unique in Latin America, covering the whole country. Medical services are free for all
Cubans.
Cuba has the lowest children
mortality rate in Latin America and one of the lowest of the world: 7,9 per each born
alive.
Cuban life expectancy is of 75,2 years of age.
In Cuba, there are 42 634
physicians (1 x each 274 inhabitants); 7 515 stomatologists (1 x each 524 inhabitants);
120 000 nurses, technicians and auxiliaries; 15 142 doctors of the family assist the 67,6
% of the population. In addition to the 421 polyclinics and the 267 hospitals that offer
their services.
km2, locating
itself at the entrance of the Gulf of Mexico, in the Caribbean Sea. Cuba limits to the
North with Florida (United States of America) to 180 km; to the South, with Jamaica, to
140 km; to the East with Haití, to 77 km and, to the West, with the Yucatán Peninsula
(Mexico), to 210 km of distance. Cuba is essentially a 70% flat and has three big mountain
ranges: Sierra of Organs in the Western region, Sierra of Escambray in the Center region
and Sierra Maestra in the Eastern region, which includes Turquino Peak, the country's
highest point with 1 974 meters (5 933 feet) over the sea level.
