The United States severs diplomatic relations with Cuba over the latter's nationalization of American assets.

The Republic of Cuba, officially known as República de Cuba in Spanish, is an island nation situated at a pivotal geographical crossroads where the northern Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean converge. Its strategic location places it directly east of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, south of the American state of Florida and the Bahamas, west of the island of Hispaniola (shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic), and north of both Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. This unique position has profoundly influenced its history, culture, and international relations.

Geographical Overview and Key Urban Centers

Cuba comprises the main island, which is the largest island in the Caribbean archipelago, along with Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth) and numerous smaller archipelagos, cays, and islets. The main island of Cuba alone spans approximately 104,556 square kilometers (40,369 sq mi), making it the biggest island within the Caribbean Sea, a significant feature contributing to its rich biodiversity and extensive coastline. The total official land area of the Republic of Cuba, excluding its territorial waters, is approximately 109,884 square kilometers (42,426 sq mi).

As the second-most populous nation in the Caribbean after Haiti, Cuba is home to over 11 million inhabitants. Its vibrant capital and largest city is Havana, a city renowned for its colonial architecture, rich history, and dynamic cultural scene. Other significant urban centers include Santiago de Cuba, historically known as the "Hero City" and a cradle of revolutionary movements, and Camagüey, famous for its labyrinthine streets and well-preserved colonial squares.

A Rich and Complex History

The land that is now Cuba boasts a history stretching back millennia, initially inhabited by the indigenous Ciboney and Taíno peoples from approximately the 4th millennium BC. These native cultures thrived until the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492, marking the beginning of Spanish colonization in the 15th century. For over four centuries, Cuba served as a crucial Spanish colonial outpost, its economy initially driven by gold mining and later by vast sugar plantations powered by enslaved African labor, profoundly shaping its demographic and cultural fabric.

The era of Spanish rule concluded with the Spanish-American War in 1898. Following its defeat, Spain ceded control of Cuba to the United States. While Cuba formally gained nominal independence in 1902, it operated effectively as a de facto United States protectorate under the terms of the Platt Amendment until 1934, a period characterized by significant U.S. influence over its internal and external affairs. The fragile republic that emerged attempted to strengthen its democratic institutions, notably in 1940 with a new constitution, but escalating political radicalization and social unrest ultimately led to a military coup in 1952. This coup brought Fulgencio Batista to power, ushering in an era marked by widespread corruption, authoritarianism, and severe oppression.

Batista's oppressive regime was ultimately overthrown in January 1959 by the 26th of July Movement, a revolutionary vanguard led by Fidel Castro. This pivotal event, known as the Cuban Revolution, ushered in a fundamental transformation of the country, establishing a socialist state under communist rule. Since 1965, the Communist Party of Cuba has been the sole governing party, enshrining its vanguard role in the nation's constitution. During the Cold War, Cuba became a central flashpoint in global geopolitics, particularly during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, a thirteen-day confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. Under Fidel Castro's leadership, Cuba also actively engaged in a wide array of military and humanitarian endeavors across Africa and Asia, notably providing medical aid and supporting liberation movements.

Cultural Melting Pot and Global Engagement

Culturally, Cuba is inextricably linked to Latin America, yet its identity is uniquely forged from a confluence of diverse historical influences. It is a vibrant multiethnic society where the customs, music, and traditions are a rich tapestry woven from the heritage of the indigenous Taíno Ciboney peoples, centuries of Spanish colonialism, the profound impact of enslaved Africans and their descendants (whose traditions gave rise to unique syncretic religions like Santería), and the more recent close relationship with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. This blend has created a distinctive Cuban culture renowned for its music (such as Son and Salsa), dance, literature, and art.

On the international stage, Cuba is a prominent actor in various global and regional organizations. It holds the distinction of being a founding member of the United Nations, signaling its early commitment to international cooperation. Additionally, Cuba is a member of the Group of 77 (G77), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), an alliance of states that are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc, and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). It is also a key participant in regional initiatives such as the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) and has historically been a member of the Organization of American States (OAS), though its membership was suspended in 1962 and reactivated in 2009, though Cuba has not rejoined its active mechanisms. These memberships underscore Cuba's commitment to South-South cooperation and its distinct foreign policy orientation.

Economic Landscape and Social Development

Cuba operates one of the world's few remaining centrally planned economies, a system where economic decisions are largely made by the state rather than by market forces. The Cuban economy is significantly driven by its robust tourism industry, which has grown to become a primary source of foreign exchange. Beyond tourism, traditional exports such as sugar, tobacco (including world-renowned Cuban cigars), and coffee remain vital, alongside the export of skilled labor, particularly medical professionals, who are often deployed internationally on humanitarian missions. The country's economic model faces ongoing challenges, including the impact of international sanctions and the need for modernization.

Despite its economic structure and challenges, Cuba has consistently demonstrated remarkable achievements in certain socioeconomic indicators, often outperforming many other countries in the region. Historically, both prior to and during the period of Communist rule, Cuba has achieved high rates of literacy, with near-universal adult literacy due to significant state investment in education. Similarly, it boasts low infant mortality rates and high life expectancy, attributed to its comprehensive and universally accessible public healthcare system. These successes highlight a strong emphasis on social welfare within its national priorities.

Political System and Press Freedom Concerns

The Republic of Cuba functions under a single-party authoritarian regime, where the Communist Party of Cuba holds a constitutionally enshrined leading role, and organized political opposition is not permitted. While the country does conduct elections, they are generally not recognized as democratic by international observers due to the lack of competitive multi-party participation and state control over the electoral process. Citizens vote for candidates, but these candidates are nominated through mass organizations and are not affiliated with independent political parties.

Information dissemination and access are subject to extensive state censorship, and independent journalism faces significant repression. Internet access, although expanding, remains limited and often controlled, impacting the free flow of information for the general populace. Reputable international organizations like Reporters Without Borders have consistently ranked Cuba among the worst countries globally for press freedom, citing systematic restrictions on media independence and the suppression of dissenting voices.

What is the official name of Cuba?
The official name is the Republic of Cuba (República de Cuba).
Where is Cuba geographically located?
Cuba is strategically located where the northern Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean meet, positioned south of Florida and the Bahamas, and west of Hispaniola.
What are the main islands that comprise Cuba?
The nation comprises the main island of Cuba, which is the largest in the Caribbean, along with Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth) and several minor archipelagos.
When did Cuba gain independence from Spain?
Cuba gained nominal independence from Spain in 1902 after the Spanish-American War of 1898, though it remained under significant U.S. influence initially.
Which political party governs Cuba?
Since 1965, Cuba has been governed by the Communist Party of Cuba, which is constitutionally recognized as the leading force in society and the state.
What are Cuba's main economic activities?
Cuba's economy, one of the world's few planned economies, is dominated by the tourism industry and the exports of skilled labor, sugar, tobacco, and coffee.