2005 Edition

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

Age structure

0-14 years: 19.6% (male 1,139,644/female 1,079,412) 15-64 years: 70.1% (male 3,977,110/female 3,975,818) 65 years and over: 10.4% (male 540,720/female 633,966) (2005 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

170 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total

79 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 37 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

91 914 to 1,523 m: 29 under 914 m: 62 (2004 est.) Military Cuba

Area

land

110,860 sq km

total

110,860 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Background

The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the European discovery of the island by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492 and following its development as a Spanish colony during the next several centuries. Large numbers of African slaves were imported to work the coffee and sugar plantations and Havana became the launching point for the annual treasure fleets bound for Spain from Mexico and Peru. Spanish rule was severe and exploitative and occasional rebellions were harshly suppressed. It was US intervention during the Spanish-American War in 1898 that finally overthrew Spanish rule. The subsequent Treaty of Paris established Cuban independence, which was granted in 1902 after a three-year transition period. Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959; his iron rule has held the regime together since then. Cuba's Communist revolution, with Soviet support, was exported throughout Latin America and Africa during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The country is now slowly recovering from a severe economic recession in 1990, following the withdrawal of former Soviet subsidies, worth $4 billion to $6 billion annually. Cuba portrays its difficulties as the result of the US embargo in place since 1961. Illicit migration to the US - using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, air flights, or via the southwest border - is a continuing problem. The US Coast Guard intercepted 1,498 individuals attempting to cross the Straits of Florida in 2004. Geography Cuba

Birth rate

12.03 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$19.06 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)

revenues

$18.01 billion

Capital

Havana

Climate

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

Coastline

3,735 km

Constitution

24 February 1976; amended July 1992 and June 2002

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Cuba

conventional short form

Cuba

local long form

Republica de Cuba

local short form

Cuba

Currency (code)

Cuban peso (CUP) and Convertible peso (CUC)

Currency code

CUP (nonconvertible Cuban peso) and CUC (convertible Cuban peso)

Current account balance

$-185.1 million (2004 est.)

Death rate

7.19 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Debt - external

$12.09 billion (convertible currency); another $15-20 billion owed to Russia (2004 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

none; note - the US has an Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Principal Officer James C. CASON; address: USINT, Swiss Embassy, Calzada between L and M Streets, Vedado, Havana; telephone: [53] (7) 833-3551 through 3559 (operator assistance required); FAX: [53] (7) 833-3700; protecting power in Cuba is Switzerland

Diplomatic representation in the US

none; note - Cuba has an Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Principal Officer Dagoberto RODRIGUEZ Barrera; address: Cuban Interests Section, Swiss Embassy, 2630 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone: [1] (202) 797-8518

Disputes - international

US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased to US and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease

Economic aid - recipient

$68.2 million (1997 est.)

Economy - overview

The government continues to balance the need for economic loosening against a desire for firm political control. It has undertaken limited reforms to increase enterprise efficiency and alleviate serious shortages of food, consumer goods, and services. A major feature of the economy is the dichotomy between relatively efficient export enclaves and inefficient domestic sectors. The average Cuban's standard of living remains at a lower level than before the depression of the 1990s, which was caused by the loss of Soviet aid and domestic inefficiencies. The government in 2004 strengthened its controls over dollars coming into the economy from tourism, remittances, and trade.

Electricity - consumption

13.4 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - production

14.41 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

93.9%

hydro

0.6%

nuclear

0%

other

5.4% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Pico Turquino 2,005 m

lowest point

Caribbean Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

air and water pollution; biodiversity loss; deforestation

Environment - international agreements

party to

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

Ethnic groups

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

Exchange rates

Convertible pesos per US dollar - 0.93 note: Cuba has three currencies in circulation: the Cuban peso (CUP), the convertible peso (CUC), and the US dollar (USD), although the dollar is being withdrawn from circulation; in April 2005 the official exchange rate changed from $1 per CUC to $1.08 per CUC (0.93 CUC per $1), both for individuals and enterprises; individuals can buy 24 Cuban pesos (CUP) for each CUC sold, or sell 25 Cuban pesos for each CUC bought; enterprises, however, must exchange CUP and CUC at a 1:1 ratio.

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers proposed by the president of the Council of State and appointed by the National Assembly or the 31-member Council of State, elected by the Assembly to act on its behalf when it is not in session

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

election results

Fidel CASTRO Ruz reelected president; percent of legislative vote - 100%; Raul CASTRO Ruz elected vice president; percent of legislative vote - 100%

elections

president and vice presidents elected by the National Assembly for a term of five years; election last held 6 March 2003 (next to be held in 2008)

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

Exports

$2.104 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Netherlands 22.7%, Canada 20.6%, China 7.7%, Russia 7.5%, Spain 6.4%, Venezuela 4.4% (2004)

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Cuba

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; design influenced by the US flag Economy Cuba

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

6.6%

industry

25.5%

services

67.9% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $3,000 (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

3% (2004 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$33.92 billion (2004 est.)

Geographic coordinates

21 30 N, 80 00 W

Geography - note

largest country in Caribbean and westernmost island of the Greater Antilles People Cuba

Government type

Communist state

Highways

paved

29,820 km (including 638 km of expressway)

total

60,858 km

unpaved

31,038 km (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

3,300 (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA

Illicit drugs

territorial waters and air space serve as transshipment zone primarily for marijuana bound for North America; established the death penalty for certain drug-related crimes in 1999 This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005 ======================================================================

Imports

$5.296 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum, food, machinery and equipment, chemicals

Imports - partners

Spain 14.7%, Venezuela 13.5%, US 11%, China 8.9%, Canada 6.4%, Italy 6.2%, Mexico 4.9% (2004)

Independence

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

Industrial production growth rate

1.4% (2004 est.)

Industries

sugar, petroleum, tobacco, construction, nickel, steel, cement, agricultural machinery, pharmaceuticals

Infant mortality rate

female

5.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

male

7.11 deaths/1,000 live births

total

6.33 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.1% (2004 est.)

International organization participation

ACP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS (excluded from formal participation since 1962), OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Internet country code

.cu

Internet hosts

1,529 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

5 (2001)

Internet users

120,000 note: private citizens are prohibited from buying computers or accessing the Internet without special authorization; foreigners may access the Internet in large hotels, but are subject to firewalls; some Cubans buy illegal passwords on the black market, or take advantage of public outlets to access limited email and the government-controlled "intranet" (2004) Transportation Cuba

Investment (gross fixed)

11.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Irrigated land

870 sq km (1998 est.)

Judicial branch

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

Labor force

4.55 million note: state sector 78%, non-state sector 22% (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 24%, industry 25%, services 51% (1999)

Land boundaries

border countries

US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 km note: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and thus remains part of Cuba

total

29 km

Land use

arable land

33.05%

other

59.35% (2001)

permanent crops

7.6%

Languages

Spanish

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly of People's Power or Asemblea Nacional del Poder Popular (609 seats, elected directly from slates approved by special candidacy commissions; members serve five-year terms)

election results

percent of vote - PCC 97.6%; seats - PCC 609

elections

last held 19 January 2003 (next to be held in NA 2008)

Life expectancy at birth

female

79.65 years (2005 est.)

male

74.94 years

total population

77.23 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

96.9% (2003 est.)

male

97.2%

total population

97%

Location

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, Florida

Manpower available for military service

males age 17-49: 2,967,865 females age 17-49: 2,913,559 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 17-49: 2,441,927 females age 17-49: 2,396,741 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually

females

87,500 (2005 est.)

males

91,901

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Median age

female

35.98 years (2005 est.)

male

34.73 years

total

35.36 years

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 2, cargo 4, chemical tanker 1, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 2

foreign-owned

1 (Spain 1)

registered in other countries

20 (2005)

total

15 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 54,818 GRT/81,850 DWT

Military - note

Moscow, for decades the key military supporter and supplier of Cuba, cut off almost all military aid by 1993 Transnational Issues Cuba

Military branches

Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR)

Revolutionary Army (ER), Revolutionary Navy (MGR), Air and Air Defense Force (DAAFAR), Territorial Militia Troops (MTT), Youth Labor Army (EJT)

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$572.3 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.8% (2003)

Military service age and obligation

17 years of age; both sexes are eligible for military service (2004)

National holiday

Independence Day, 10 December (1898); note - 10 December 1898 is the date of independence from Spain, 20 May 1902 is the date of independence from US administration; Rebellion Day, 26 July (1953)

Nationality

adjective

Cuban

noun

Cuban(s)

Natural gas - consumption

600 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production

600 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

42.62 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Natural hazards

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

Natural resources

cobalt, nickel, iron ore, chromium, copper, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, arable land

Net migration rate

-1.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Oil - consumption

163,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA

Oil - imports

NA

Oil - production

77,900 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

532 million bbl (1 January 2002)

People - note

illicit migration is a continuing problem; Cubans attempt to depart the island and enter the US using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, direct flights, or falsified visas; Cubans also use non-maritime routes to enter the US including direct flights to Miami and overland via the southwest border Government Cuba

Pipelines

gas 49 km; oil 230 km (2004)

Political parties and leaders

only party - Cuban Communist Party or PCC [Fidel CASTRO Ruz, first secretary]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

11,346,670 (July 2005 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA

Population growth rate

0.33% (2005 est.)

Ports and harbors

Cienfuegos, Havana, Matanzas

Radio broadcast stations

AM 169, FM 55, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

3.9 million (1997)

Railways

standard gauge

4,226 km 1.435-m gauge (140 km electrified) note: an additional 7,742 km of track is used by sugar plantations; about 65% of this track is standard gauge; the rest is narrow gauge (2004)

total

4,226 km

Religions

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$738.6 million (2004 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Suffrage

16 years of age; universal

Telephone system

domestic

national fiber-optic system under development; 85% of switches digitized by end of 2004; telephone line density remains low, at 10 per 100 inhabitants; domestic cellular service expanding

general assessment

greater investment beginning in 1994 and the establishment of a new Ministry of Information Technology and Communications in 2000 has resulted in improvements in the system; wireless service is expensive and remains restricted to foreigners and regime elites, many Cubans procure wireless service illegally with the help of foreigners

international

country code - 53; fiber-optic cable laid to but not linked to US network; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)

Telephones - main lines in use

574,400 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular

17,900 (2002)

Television broadcast stations

58 (1997)

Televisions

2.64 million (1997)

Terrain

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

Total fertility rate

1.66 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate

2.5% (2004 est.)

Waterways

240 km (2004)