Cuba – language

Cuba is a country with a rich history and culture, as well as unique traditions and customs. It has always been associated with revolutionary changes and the fight for freedom. Since Fidel Castro and his comrades seized power in Cuba in 1959, the country has become a symbol of socialism and revolution. Today, Cuba still lives in the shadow of its turbulent past and tries to cope with various challenges.

However, this article is not only information about the language spoken in Cuba. We also present the most important information about the country itself, its history, politics, and culture, and everything you need to know before travelling there. Read on!

Cuba – a handful of information

An island nation located in the Caribbean Sea, it consists of a main island called Cuba, like the country itself, and an archipelago of islands and smaller islets. Cuba is the third-largest island in Latin America and has an area of ​​about 109,000 km². Due to its location on the sea, it does not border any country. The capital of Cuba is Havana, also called La Habana in Spanish. Havana is the largest city in Cuba, as well as one of the most important cultural and economic centres in Latin America.

Cuba is also characterized by a rich culture that combines Spanish, African, and indigenous influences. Cuban music, dance, and cuisine are world-famous and an important part of Latin American culture. Surely everyone has at least heard of salsa, mambo, or cha-cha. Cuban dancers are also widely known as champions of numerous international festivals.

Geography of Cuba

Cuba’s main island is approximately 1,200 km long and covers an area of approximately 109,884 km². The terrain of the island is mountainous, with the Sierra Maestra mountain range to the east and the Cordillera de los Organos to the west. Cuba’s highest peak is Pico Turquino, rising to 1,974 meters above sea level.

More than 200 rivers flow through the main island, but their total length does not exceed 2,500 km. The largest of these is the Rio Cauto, which flows from the Cordillera de los Organos through the central and eastern parts of the country to Guacanayabo Bay on the southern coast.

The Cuban coast hosts an abundance of beaches that attract tourists from all over the world. The most famous are in Varadero, Cayo Largo del Sur and on the Hicacos Peninsula. The water in the Caribbean Sea around Cuba is turquoise and warm for most of the year, thanks to the pleasant tropical climate, which is great not only for relaxation, but also for agriculture. The temperature in the country rarely drops below 20 °C, and the rainy season last usually from May to October.

Political system

Cuba is a socialist state ruled by a one-party political system. Power in Cuba is exercised by the Communist Party of Cuba (Partido Comunista de Cuba, PCC), the only legal political party in the country, through the National Assembly of People’s Power. The Council consists of 31 people and is headed by the Chairman of the State Council.

Cuba is one of the last countries where the socialist system is still maintained. The Cuban political and economic system was established after the 1959 revolution that overthrew the dictator Fulgencio Batista. From then on, Cuba was ruled by Fidel Castro, and then by his brother Raul Castro, who introduced a socialist system and a state monopoly on the economy on the island.

Under this system, the state controls most branches of the economy, including industry, transportation, medicine, education, and the media. The Cuban Constitution of 2019 established that the state is the owner of land, water, forests, and other natural resources. In practice, this means that private enterprise is limited, and the government controls most economic sectors.

At the same time, there are independent social organizations and opposition groups in Cuba that are demanding more freedom and political reform. However, the activities of these groups are strictly controlled and often suppressed by the government.

Administrative division

Cuba is divided into 15 provinces and one special administrative district for the capital (Ciudad de La Habana), which has a status equivalent to the provinces. Provinces are further subdivided into municipalities (municipios).

The provinces of Cuba are Pinar del Río, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque, Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus, Ciego de Ávila, Camagüey, Las Tunas, Holguín, Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantánamo.

Economy

The Cuban economy is dominated by industry, especially centred around sugar, light, and heavy manufacturing, as well as tourism. For years, the country was dependent on economic aid from the USSR, which was their main trading partner and investor on the island. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Cuban economy was in a dire situation, which resulted in economic hardships and food shortages.

For years, the government has been introducing reforms aimed at improving the efficiency of the economy, including facilitating foreign investment and introducing some elements of the free market. However, while they have had some positive effects, there are still economic problems such as shortages of food and everyday goods, as well as a lack of foreign capital needed to modernize infrastructure and the industrial sector. In addition, due to the economic embargo imposed on Cuba by the United States, the Cuban economy continues to experience difficulties in international trade.

Brief history

The history of Cuba dates back to pre-Columbian times, when the island was inhabited by Indians. In 1492, Cuba was discovered by Columbus, and in 1511 it became a Spanish colony. From then, Cuba was controlled by Spain until 1898, when America gained control of Cuba as a result of the Spanish–American War. In 1902, Cuba declared independence, but in practice the country was still under the control of the United States.

In 1959, the Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro and his comrades overthrew the regime of President Fulgencio Batista and took over the power. Since then, Cuba became a socialist state and became associated with the Soviet bloc. In the 1960s and 1970s, Cuba was involved in various conflicts around the world, sending troops and advisers to other socialist states.

In the 1990s, Cuba experienced an economic crisis resulting from the dissolution of the Soviet Union, which was the country’s main trading partner. Over the past few years, Cuba has been trying to liberalize its economy, but still faces difficulties stemming from trade restrictions and international sanctions.

Spanish language in Cuba

The official language in Cuba is Spanish. It is a language that was introduced by the Spaniards during the colonization of Cuba and has remained the main language spoken on the island ever since. There are also linguistic minorities in Cuba, such as the Caribbean language, but these are not used in official documents or in public life.

It should be noted, however, that the language spoken in Cuba is different from standard Spanish. Cuban Spanish has its own words, phrases, and accent that are different from other varieties of Spanish.

The Afro-Cuban and Creole influences in the Spanish language are very visible in Cuba, as many words and phrases have been introduced into it that come from African languages and Creole languages. In addition, in Cuban Spanish, as in other varieties of Spanish, there are also many words of Arabic, Hebrew, Anglo-Saxon, French, and Italian origin.

However, despite these differences, the Cuban variety is still considered easy to understand by Spanish-speaking visitors from other countries.