Cuba

Cuba, a nation with a rich cultural tapestry, easily captures the attention of all its visitors. At the center of Cuban culture lies its music and dance scene. These mediums present a way for Cubans to express themselves and have been rooted in Cuban society for centuries. Salsa and Son Cubano are both popular forms of dance that demonstrate the cultural diversity of the island nation. Ballet even found success in Cuba in the 1940s and 50s. Music and dance have always been used as a way for Cubans to express themselves and to resist political corruption. A popular form of music stemming from Cuba is Afro-Cuban jazz. While Cuba doesn't have many prolific writers, many lesser known Cuban authors took influence from American novelist Ernest Hemingway who made Cuba the subject of many of his famous works. Cuba is made up of mostly white and mixed individuals with a 9% Black population. Additionally, the country has a rich history of indigenous peoples, mainly the Taino, who no longer have a foothold on the island. Nonetheless, they have influenced the country significantly. A point of controversy in Cuba has always been its politics. After the dictatorship of Fidel Castro, a US embargo would cripple Cuba’s economy. In fact, many Cubans drive cars from the 1950s around as a result of this embargo which they have learned to keep in great condition. Still, healthcare and education would develop quite well. Despite these obstacles, Cuba fosters an overwhelming sense of national pride. “Cubanidad” sees Cubans embody familial connections and resilience in the face of adversity. Still, Cuba has one of the lowest birth rates in the Western Hemisphere. In sports, Cuba has a fondness for baseball. Some staples of Cuban gastronomy are dishes like ropa vieja and arroz con pollo. Cuba’s biggest export is tobacco, as the nation is famous worldwide for its production of high-quality cigars. The economy also relies on nickel-mining, and the nations is infamous for its strongly flavored cups of coffee. The US dollar even plays a prevalent role in Cuba's economy, with a generous exchange rate benefiting many upper or middle-class Cubans who can get their hands on the currency. Cuba is a majority Catholic with a minority Jewish and Protestant population. Santería is a uniquely Cuban religion that was a manifestation of Spanish Catholicism and Afro-Caribbean Animism. The epitome of Cuban architecture lies in Old Havana, where Cuba’s post-colonial and colorful architectural style is put on display for all to see. In terms of healthcare, Cuba has one of the most robust systems in the developing world as care can be available to residents free or at nominal cost with the country now retaining many of its nurses. In education, Cuba recently nationalized all private schools and the quality of education as well as enrollment in schools has increased.