Cuba

Republic of CubaRepublica de Cuba

Communist stateIndependence 20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898

Cuba as the 1999 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 107 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalHavana

Position21 30 N, 80 00 W

Area110,860 sq km

LocationCaribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the

Populationas each edition published it

11.1 million July 1999 est. · 10.62m in 1990

Population growth% a year

0.4% 1999 est. · 1% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 34.5 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

75.78 years 1999 est. · 76.72 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

1.58 children per woman 1999 est. · 1.9 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

7.81 deaths per 1,000 live births 1999 est. · 12 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$1,560 1998 est. · $1,370 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

1.2% 1998 est. · -15% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959, and his guiding vision has defined Cuba's Communist revolution while his iron will has held the country together for more than four decades. CASTRO brought Cuba onto the world stage by inviting Soviet support in the 1960s, inciting revolutionary movements throughout Latin America and Africa in the 1970s, and sending his army to fight in Angola in the 1980s. At home, Havana provided Cubans with high levels of healthcare, education, and social security while suppressing the Roman Catholic Church and arresting political dissidents. Cuba is slowly recovering from severe economic recession following the withdrawal of former-Soviet subsidies, worth $4billion-$6 billion per year, in 1990.

Geography

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the | North Atlantic Ocean, south of Florida

18 fields

Land useshare of 110,860 sq km

arable land 24%permanent crops 7%permanent pastures 27%forests and woodland 24%other 18% (1993 est.)irrigated 9,100 sq km (1993 est.)

Area

110,860sq km

land: 110,860 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmslightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Coastline

3,735km

exclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm

Highest point

2,005m

Pico Turquinolowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Land boundaries

29km

border countries: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 kmnote: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and thus remains part of Cuba

Location

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Florida

Geographic coordinates

21 30 N, 80 00 W

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Climate

tropical;
moderated by trade winds;
dry season (November to April);
rainy season (May to October)

Terrain

mostly flat to rolling plains, with rugged hills and mountains in the southeast

Natural resources

cobalt, nickel, iron ore, copper, manganese, salt, timber, silica, petroleum

Natural hazards

the east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to October (in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year); droughts are common

Environment--current issues

pollution of Havana Bay;
overhunting threatens wildlife populations;
deforestation

Environment--international agreements

party to:: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified:: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Marine Life Conservation

Geography--note

largest country in Caribbean

People

15 fields

Population

11,096,395

(July 1999 est.)growth rate: 0.4% (1999 est.)

Per 1,000 population(1999 est.)

Birth

12.9Death

7.38Net migration

-1.52

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (1999 est.)75.78

73.41 · 78.3

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (1995 est.)95.7%

96.2% · 95.3%

MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Ethnic groups

mulatto 51%white 37%black 11%Chinese 1%

Age structure

0-14 years:: 22% (male 1,236,899; female 1,172,560)
15-64 years:: 69% (male 3,820,255; female 3,801,768)
65 years and over:: 9% (male 496,772; female 568,141) (1999 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years:: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years:: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over:: 0.87 male(s)/female
total population:: 1 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate

7.81 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.58 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality

noun:: Cuban(s)
adjective:: Cuban

Religions

nominally 85% Roman Catholic prior to CASTRO assuming power; Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, and Santeria are also represented

Languages

Spanish

Government

Communist state; President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz (prime minister from February 1959 until 24 February 1976, when office was abolished; President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz (prime minister from February 1959 until 24 February 1976 when office was abolished

18 fields

Legislature, 601 seats, elected 11 January 1998seats by party

-PCC 601

Country name

conventional long form:: Republic of Cuba
conventional short form:: Cuba
local long form:: Republica de Cuba
local short form:: Cuba

Data code

Government type

Communist state

Capital

Havana

Administrative divisions

14 provinces (provincias, singular--provincia) and 1 special municipality* (municipio especial);
Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Ciudad de La Habana, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, Isla de la Juventud*, La Habana, Las Tunas, Matanzas, Pinar del Rio, Sancti Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, Villa Clara

Independence

20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered by the US from 1898 to 1902)

National holiday

Rebellion Day, 26 July (1953); Liberation Day, 1 January (1959)

Constitution

24 February 1976

Legal system

based on Spanish and American law, with large elements of Communist legal theory; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

16 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:: President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz (prime minister from February 1959 until 24 February 1976, when office was abolished; president since 2 December 1976); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2 December 1976); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government:: President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz (prime minister from February 1959 until 24 February 1976 when office was abolished; president since 2 December 1976); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2 December 1976); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet:: Council of Ministers proposed by the president of the Council of State, appointed by the National Assembly

note: there is also a Council of State whose members are elected by the National Assembly

elections:: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly; election last held 24 February 1998 (next election unscheduled)
election results:: Fidel CASTRO Ruz elected president;
percent of legislative vote--100%;
Raul CASTRO Ruz elected vice president;
percent of legislative vote--100%

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly of People's Power or Asemblea Nacional del Poder Popular (601 seats, elected directly from slates approved by special candidacy commissions; members serve five-year terms)

elections:: last held 11 January 1998 (next to be held in 2003)
election results:: percent of vote--PCC 94.39%; seats--PCC 601

Judicial branch

People's Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo Popular (president, vice president, and other judges are elected by the National Assembly)

Political parties and leaders

only party--Cuban Communist Party

International organization participation

CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS (excluded from formal participation since 1962), OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US

none;
note--Cuba has an Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Principal Officer Fernando REMIREZ DE ESTENOZ;
address: Cuban Interests Section, Swiss (202) 797-8518

Diplomatic representation from the US

none;
note--the US has an Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Principal Officer Michael G. KOZAK;
address:
- USINT,
- Swiss Embassy,
- Calzada between L and M Streets,
- Vedado Seccion,
- Havana
;
telephone: 33-3551 through 3559 and 33-3543 through 3547 (operator assistance required);
FAX: 33-3700;
protecting power in Cuba is Switzerland

Flag description

five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom) alternating with white;
a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears a white, five-pointed star in the center

Economy

The state plays the primary role in the economy | and controls practically all foreign trade.

31 fields

GDP per capita, PPP

$1,560

purchasing power parity? · (1998 est.)

Real growth rate

1.2%

(1998 est.)industrial production growth: 6% (1995 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.8%

(1997 est.)

Labor force

4.5million

economically active population (1996 est.)note: state sector 76%, non-state sector 24% (1996 est.)

GDP--composition by sector(1997 est.)

agriculture 7.4%industry 36.5%services 56.1% (1997 est.)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

27%

Russia

18%

Canada

Spain

17%

France

Exports $1.4 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)Imports $3 billion (c.i.f., 1998 est.)(1998 est.)

Budget

Revenues

$12.3 billionExpenditures

$13 billion (1998 est.)

expenditures including capital expenditures of $NA

Electricity

fossil fuel 98.96%hydro 1.04%nuclear 0% · other 0%

Electricity production

14.1 billion (1997)Electricity consumption

14.1 billion (1997)

Economy--overview

The state plays the primary role in the economy and controls practically all foreign trade. The government has undertaken several reforms in recent years to stem excess liquidity, increase labor incentives, and alleviate serious shortages of food, consumer goods, and services. The liberalized agricultural markets introduced in October 1994, at which state and private farmers sell above-quota production at unrestricted prices, have broadened legal consumption alternatives and reduced black market prices.

Government efforts to lower subsidies to unprofitable enterprises and to shrink the money supply caused the semi-official exchange rate for the Cuban peso to move from a peak of 120 to the dollar in the summer of 1994 to 21 to the dollar by yearend 1998. New taxes introduced in 1996 helped drive down the number of self-employed workers from 208,000 in January 1996 to 155,000 by July 1998.

Havana announced in 1995 that GDP declined by 35% during 1989-93, the result of lost Soviet aid and domestic inefficiencies. The drop in GDP apparently halted in 1994, when Cuba reported 0.7% growth, followed by increases of 2.5% in 1995 and 7.8% in 1996. Growth slowed again in 1997 and 1998 to 2.5% and 1.2% respectively.

Export earnings declined 22% in 1998, to $1.4 billion, the result of lower sugar export volume and lower world prices for nickel and sugar. Import expenditures also fell 15% to $3.0 billion, in part due to lower world oil prices. Tourism and remittances play a key role in foreign currency earnings. Living standards for the average Cuban remain at a depressed level compared with 1990.

GDP

purchasing power parity--$17.3 billion (1998 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

NA%

Labor force--by occupation

services and government 30%, industry 22%, agriculture 20%, commerce 11%, construction 10%, transportation and communications 7% (June 1990)

Industries

sugar, petroleum, food, tobacco, textiles, chemicals, paper and wood products, metals (particularly nickel), cement, fertilizers, consumer goods, agricultural machinery

Agriculture--products

sugarcane, tobacco, citrus, coffee, rice, potatoes, beans; livestock

Exports

$1.4 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)

Exports--commodities

sugar, nickel, tobacco, shellfish, medical products, citrus, coffee

Imports

$3 billion (c.i.f., 1998 est.)

Imports--commodities

petroleum, food, machinery, chemicals

Debt--external

$10.1 billion (convertible currency, 1997); another $20 billion owed to Russia (1997)

Economic aid--recipient

$46 million (1997 est.)

Currency

1 Cuban peso (Cu$) = 100 centavos

Exchange rates

Cuban pesos (Cu$) per US$1--1.0000 (nonconvertible, official rate, linked to the US dollar)

Fiscal year

calendar year

Communications

6 fields

Fixed lines

229,000

Telephone system

among the world's least developed telephone systems

domestic:: NA
international:: satellite earth station--1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 150, FM 5, shortwave 1

Radios

2.14 million (1993 est.)

Television broadcast stations

58 (1997)

Televisions

2.5 million (1993 est.)

Transportation

8 fields

Merchant marine, 18 ships by typeone square, one ship · (1998 est.)

bulk 1cargo 9liquefied gas tanker 1oil tanker 2refrigerated cargo 5

Airports by runway lengthpaved only

under 914 m

over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 11

Airports by runway lengthunpaved only

under 914 m

total: 93 914 to 1,523 m: 32

Networkskm

Highways

60,858Railways

4,807Waterways

240

Highways: paved: 29,820 km (including 638 km of expressway) · unpaved: 31,038 km (1997 est.) · Railways: standard gauge: 4,807 km 1.435-m gauge (147 km electrified) note: a large amount of track is in private use by sugar plantations

Railways

total:: 4,807 km
standard gauge:: 4,807 km 1.435-m gauge (147 km electrified)

note: a large amount of track is in private use by sugar plantations

Highways

total:: 60,858 km
paved:: 29,820 km (including 638 km of expressway)
unpaved:: 31,038 km (1997 est.)

Ports and harbors

Cienfuegos, Havana, Manzanillo, Mariel, Matanzas, Nuevitas, Santiago de Cuba

Airports

170 (1998 est.)

Military

8 fields

Military expenditures--percent of GDP

roughly · (1995 est.)

Military branches

Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) includes ground forces, Revolutionary Navy (MGR), Air and Air Defense Force (DAAFAR), Territorial Troops Militia (MTT), and Youth Labor Army (EJT);
the Border Guard (TGF) is controlled by the Interior Ministry