Cuba is generally known for its complex and controversial policy, but interesting facts about Cuba and other fun facts that have nothing to do with its tumultuous politics.
Interesting facts about Cuba
- Cuba is full of American cars from the 1950s. The reason is that these cars are the only ones that Cuban citizens can own. All new cars are owned by the government. However, thanks to a perfect climate and excellent mechanics in the country, these cars are rolling as if they were new.
- Cuba is often called El Caimán or El Crocodrilo, which is Alligator in Spanish, because the aerial view of the island looks like an alligator.
- The prehistoric fish, Manjuarí, to be found only on the coast of Cuba.
- Cuba is the most populous country in the Caribbean, with more than 11 million inhabitants.
- During the 1950s, Cuba published 58 daily newspapers. The number has since been reduced to just fewer than 20.
- Christmas became a holiday in Cuba only in 1997. This change was made in consideration of the visit of Pope John Paul II to Cuba in 1998 and to work towards greater religious freedom.
- Cuba has the highest doctor ratio in the world. There are so many doctors in Cuba that doctors are often sent abroad for countries in dire need of health professionals.
- Cuba has one of the highest literacy rates in Latin America.
- In 2000, Fidel Castro unveiled a statue of John Lennon at John Lennon Park and declared the musician to be a “true revolutionary.”
- Bacardi rum was made in Cuba. However, the brand moved to Puerto Rico after the takeover of Fidel Castro.
- Ernest Hemingway wrote “For whom the bell tolls” and “The old man and the sea” while living in Cuba.
- Cuba has one of the lowest birth rates in the entire Western Hemisphere.
- Cuba is the landmark of the Bee Hummingbird, which is the smallest bird in the world. An adult is only 2 inches long.