Cuba - Country Overview

Overview

Country Name: Cuba

Country Flag:

Historical Background

Indigenous Roots: For centuries, Cuba was home to the Taíno and Ciboney indigenous peoples before the arrival of European explorers. These communities thrived through agriculture, fishing, and trade.
Colonial Legacy: In 1492, Christopher Columbus arrived in Cuba, claiming the island for Spain. Over the next few centuries, Cuba became a key Spanish colony, with a plantation economy reliant on sugar and tobacco, cultivated largely through African slave labor.
Struggle for Independence: Cuba fought for its independence throughout the 19th century, culminating in the Spanish-American War of 1898. Spain ceded control to the United States, which occupied the island until Cuba officially gained independence in 1902. However, the U.S. retained significant influence over Cuban affairs.
Revolution and Socialist State: In 1959, Fidel Castro led the Cuban Revolution, overthrowing U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista. Castro established a socialist government, aligned with the Soviet Union, leading to decades of tension with the United States, including the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
Modern Challenges and Reforms: After the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991, Cuba faced severe economic hardship, prompting gradual market-oriented reforms. While still a one-party socialist state, Cuba has opened up sectors of its economy and strengthened international partnerships, particularly with China, Russia, and Latin America.
Global Influence: Cuba has played a prominent role in global health diplomacy, sending medical professionals abroad and fostering strong regional alliances. The country remains a symbol of resistance to U.S. influence while navigating economic reforms and social changes.

Geography

Capital

Havana

Time Zones

UTC-05:00 (Cuba Standard Time)

UTC-04:00 (Cuba Daylight Time – observed during summer months)

Area

Position in world: 104
Total Area: 109,884 square kilometers (42,426 sq mi)
Arable Land: 33.8%

Climate

Tropical Wet and Dry: Cuba experiences a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season lasts from May to October, while the dry season spans from November to April.
Coastal Breeze: Coastal areas benefit from cooling sea breezes, making the heat more bearable, especially in summer.
Hurricane Prone: The island is frequently impacted by hurricanes, particularly between June and November.

Provinces

Cuba is divided into 15 provinces and one special municipality (Isla de la Juventud).

  • Pinar del Río
  • Artemisa
  • La Habana
  • Mayabeque
  • Matanzas
  • Cienfuegos
  • Villa Clara
  • Sancti Spíritus
  • Ciego de Ávila
  • Camagüey
  • Las Tunas
  • Holguín
  • Granma
  • Santiago de Cuba
  • Guantánamo
  • Isla de la Juventud (special municipality)

Minerals/Resources

  • Nickel
  • Cobalt
  • Copper
  • Petroleum
  • Manganese
  • Sugarcane
  • Tobacco
  • Coffee

Natural Disaster Susceptibility

Hurricane Risks: Cuba is located in the Atlantic hurricane belt, making it highly susceptible to powerful storms and tropical cyclones.
Coastal Flooding: Low-lying coastal areas are vulnerable to storm surges and sea-level rise.
Drought Conditions: While tropical, Cuba also experiences periodic droughts, affecting agriculture and water supply.

Border Countries

Cuba is an island nation and does not share land borders.

Maritime Claims

Cuba has a territorial sea extending 12 nautical miles (nm) from its coastline and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extending 200 nm, giving it exclusive rights to explore and manage marine resources.

Political Landscape

Power Structure: Cuba functions as a unitary socialist republic, meaning that power is centralized under a single-party system. The Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) is the only legal political party, and it plays a dominant role in shaping national policies. The president serves as both head of state and head of government and is elected by the National Assembly of People’s Power for a five-year term, with no official term limits. The Cuban government emphasizes socialist governance, state control over the economy, and social equity.

Coalitional Calculus: Unlike multiparty democracies, Cuba operates under a single-party system, where all political decision-making is coordinated within the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC). While opposition parties exist informally, they are not legally recognized, and political debates occur primarily within state institutions. Policy shifts tend to reflect internal party discussions rather than external political competition, with significant influence from the country’s leadership and military officials.

Left vs. Right Divide: Cuba’s political landscape is firmly left-wing, built on Marxist-Leninist ideology and state-controlled economic principles. The government prioritizes universal healthcare, education, and subsidized housing while maintaining strict control over political expression and private enterprise. Opposition movements, often advocating for economic liberalization and democratic reforms, face government restrictions. Despite gradual economic adjustments allowing some private-sector activity, Cuba remains committed to socialist governance and state control over major industries.

Government

Government Type: Unitary socialist republic

President:
Miguel Díaz-Canel (Term: 19 April 2018 – Present)

Top 3 Political Parties and Their Ideological Influence

Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) – The sole legal party, adhering to Marxist-Leninist principles, state control of the economy, and socialist governance.

Cuban Liberal Movement (MCL – Movimiento Cubano de Liberación) – A dissident group advocating for political pluralism, democratic reforms, and economic liberalization.

Christian Liberation Movement (MCL – Movimiento Cristiano Liberación) – A center-right movement promoting human rights, democratic governance, and religious freedom.

Elections

Election Cycle: Every five years

Upcoming Elections: 2028 Presidential and Legislative Elections

Foreign Policies

Socialist Solidarity: Maintains strong ties with left-leaning governments, particularly Venezuela, Russia, and China.

Anti-Imperialist Stance: Advocates against U.S. sanctions and promotes self-determination in global forums.

Regional Integration: Actively participates in ALBA, CELAC, and other Latin American initiatives to strengthen regional cooperation.

Economic Diversification: Expanding trade partnerships with China, Russia, and the European Union while reducing reliance on Venezuela.

Economic Landscape

Size in world: 68

GDP: $98 Billion

GDP per capita: $8,750

Currency: Cuban Peso (CUP) 

Dominant Economic Sector: Services

Market type: Mixed Economy

FDI by Country

Inbound

  • Spain
  • Canada
  • China
  • Russia
  • Venezuela
  • Mexico
  • Italy
  • Brazil
  • France
  • Germany

Outbound

  • Venezuela
  • China
  • Russia
  • Nicaragua
  • Bolivia
  • Vietnam
  • Mexico
  • Spain
  • Brazil
  • Argentina

Some Major Trading Partners

Imports

  • China
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Mexico
  • Brazil
  • Canada

Exports

  • Spain
  • China
  • Canada
  • Russia
  • Venezuela

Social Landscape

Population: 11.2 million

Position: Class Distribution

Upper: 5%

Middle: 50%

Lower: 45%

Gini Coefficient:

38 (where 0 = perfect equality and 100 = perfect inequality)

Language

Official Language: Spanish

Other Languages: Haitian Creole, English, Russian, Chinese

Religion

Dominant Religion: Catholicism

Other Religions: Santería, Protestant Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Afro-Cuban religions