The meaning of the word Cuba might be land, the Aboriginal meaning of this word, belonging to the language of the Taíno culture araguaco, according to criteria released by the historiography. Another meaning could be attributed recently dome, according to new evidence submitted by current studies that attribute a Hispanic-origin to the name of the Greater Antilles. Located in the westernmost part of the Caribbean Basin, just outside the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico, this is long and narrow land disposed horizontally between the two Americas at the entrance of Gulf of Mexico in the northwestern Caribbean Sea, a strategic position which once made him a very coveted.
The Cuban archipelago is made up of over 4000 cays and islands. Cuba covers an area of 110 992 km ². It is a long narrow island, looking like alligator, which amounts to 1 200 km long. Its widest part is 210 kilometers and the narrowest 31 kilometers.On a map of the region, Cuba is easily recognized by their size, because it is the largest of the Antilles and also because of its shape resembling a crocodile. Closest territories are: the East, Haiti (77 km) west, Yucatan, Mexico (210 km) north Florida, USA (180 km) and south, Jamaica (140 km). About 300 natural beaches of fine white sand and crystal clear waters. The best known is Varadero, however, there are others.
Three mountain ranges, two long regions of savanna and numerous valleys known worldwide like Viñales, Yumurí and Sugar Mill, tour the island in its extension. Warm, clear waters, amazing biodiversity and conservation of ecosystems, the variety and their disparate coral reefs attract scuba diving enthusiasts. In our waters home to some 500 species of fish and 200 of sponges, coral gardens, caves, meadows of gorgonians as well as molluscs and crustaceans, algae and sea fans. North of the eastern central part, just the province of Camaguey, is one of the best preserved of the planet barriers and just 2 km from the coastline.
To complete the wonderful underwater world unite beautiful caves, vertical walls, tunnels, cliffs, bayous and valuable species, among other significant attractions.More than 50 percent of the insular flora is endemic and its range is evident when one considers that the country is represented four percent of the total flora of the planet. In the groups most represented plant and major attraction are the orchids, cacti and palms, the national tree. It is in the city, where lies around 70% of the population, the eclectic architecture prevails, although some urban centers like Havana or Trinidad, among others, preserve the colonial atmosphere, to the point of being declared a World Heritage Site. But there is, in general, a wide variety of cultural events.
In rural areas the bountiful nature allows you to display spectacular landscapes and corridors for migratory birds and other attractions. Organized peasant life in different ways gives original features the Cuban countryside. At any time of year you can go to Cuba. In the early months is more fresh and cool and if breaks a cold front will be a few days only. From April to September, almost without interruption, the sky is clear and the temperature is warm, making it ideal for going to the beach or playing outdoors.
It rains often in mountainous areas and more rarely on the plains and coasts. The months of July and August are the hottest. Cuba is linked to the major capitals and cities in Latin America and Europe through more than 60 scheduled and charter and in the country operate 10 international airports, plus a dozen marinas and ports distributed along the coast north and south, arrivals by sea provide the best conditions of berths.
In each hotel, villa and airport shops are open daily, which are designed to meet the most frequent needs and tastes of the travelers who move to Cuba. In cities and tourist destinations will always be a good market with artisanal manufacturing. The Republic of Cuba is composed of 14 provinces and the special municipality of Isla de la Juventud. From west to east, these provinces are: Pinar del Rio, La Habana, Ciudad de La Habana, Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila, Camaguey, Las Tunas, Holguin, Granma, Santiago de Cuba and Guantanamo. The best information is obtained directly in the folders of the hotels or tourist bureaus, where they can manage their trips, make reservations for various restaurants, cabaret and shows. In large cities with large numbers of international travelers and Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Camagüey, Matanzas, Cienfuegos and Trinidad, among others, some agencies operate under the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Cuba known as INFOTUR, with the latest information tourism services, proposals for optional tours, transportation and accommodation.
For those wishing to travel independently there is a complete and diversified offer bus service (connecting Cuba), taxis, rental cars and vans, on which certain information may be obtained in the Bureaus of Sales or the folder of your hotel. For services organized tours and transfers in / out using comfortable buses of different capacities. In the hotels are guaranteed primary health care. There are also international clinics and guarantee to cover emergencies in hospitals. It is always recommended that the traveler is covered by an insurance policy. The country has a system of health care is considered unique in Latin America, with total population coverage and an ongoing epidemiological work of sanitation are the foundation of the successes of the island in this important area of social life.
Adventurer and journalist Simon Reeve heads to Cuba to find a communist country in the middle of a capitalist revolution. Two years ago Cuba announced the most sweeping and radical economic reforms the country has seen in decades. From ending state rationing to cutting one million public-sector jobs, one of the last communist bastions in the world has begun rolling back the state on an unprecedented scale. Simon Reeve meets ordinary Cubans whose lives are being transformed, from the owners of fledgling businesses to the newly rich estate agents selling properties worth up to 750,000 pounds. In this hour-long documentary for the BBC’s award-winning This World strand, Simon gets under the skin of a colorful and vibrant country famous for its hospitality and humor and asks if this new economic openness could lead to political liberalization in a totalitarian country with a poor human rights record. Will Cuba be able to maintain the positive aspects of its long isolation under socialism – low crime, top-notch education and one of the best health systems in the world – while embracing what certainly looks like capitalism? Is this the last chance to see Cuba before it becomes just like any other country?