FAPRONATURA 2009

ABOUT CUBA

GENERAL INFORMATION
The Republic of Cuba is an archipelago consisting of the island of Cuba, the Isle of Youth and around 1600 keys and islets (check here a map with its relative position in the Gulf of Mexico). Its total area is 110,922 km2. The 1250 km-long, narrow island of Cuba resembles a large crocodile.

Cuba has more than 290 natural beaches along its coastline. There are over 8000 species of flora and fauna with no dangerous-to-man animals. Click here for an interactive map of Cuba from the CubaSi website. Cuba's climate is subtropical. Its average annual temperature is 25°C (77°F). September exhibits mild weather conditions.

Politically and administratively, Cuba is divided in 14 provinces. Cuba's national culture has well-defined features that are a result of the fusion of several cultures, mainly Spanish and African. Tourism and sugar and sugarcane by-products are the main industries, followed by other important branches as mining, fishing, tobacco, citrus fruits, and the bio-pharmaceutical industry.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICINE IN CUBA
Cuba is well know for its science tradition in Medicine, with a history spanning from the introduction in 1804 of the first vaccination procedure in Havana by Tomás Romay.

DATA OF INTEREST

Population: 11.2 millions

Literacy: > 98%

Children in schools: 97.5%

Adolesc. in schools: 92%

Students (all): 2.3 millions

Average scholar grade: ninth

Infant mortality: 5.3 per 1,000
born alive

Life expectancy: 75.6 years

Medical Doctor per inhabitant: 165:1
(>68 000 MDs)

Universities and scientific institutions: 33 and 210

About Cuba

The foundation of the Academy of Sciences in 1831, and the theory of transmission of yellow fever by mosquitos, proposed by Carlos J. Finlay in 1881, to it's most recent accumulation of basic and clinical information regarding biomedicine-related products.

CURRENCY
Cuba has changed the way its currency relates to other currencies. US Dollars may no longer be used directly in Cuba, and as happens with other foreign hard currencies, must be exchanged to Cuban Convertible pesos (or CUC). Exchange points are numerous in the Havana, and in the several airport exchange offices. In the case of US Dollars, there will be an extra 10% surcharge levied when you change to CUC. If you take your money in the form of Euros, Swiss Francs, Pounds Sterling, Canadian dollars, such a surcharge will not be made. Credit cards drawn on US Banks and US travelers checks will not be honored in Cuba.

Most services related to tourism (hotels, shops, restaurants, taxis) should be paid directly in CUC. Credit cards not drawn on US banks are accepted in many tourist resorts, shops, hotels, and restaurants. Examples of the latter are Visa, Cabal, Master Card, Visa Electron. If you have any question on this subject, check with your Travel Agency.

PLACES OF INTEREST
For those also interested in nature, only 20 km East of Havana you can find beautiful beaches. An extra hour and a half drive will take you to the internationally famous Varadero white beach.

If you travel westward, the mountains and valleys of the Pinar de Rio province (where the best tobacco in the World is grown) will provide you with an unforgettable view of the Cuban countryside.

Check the CubaSi, and CubaWeb sites for a lot more information and news about the country, its traditions, people, cities, culture, sports, tourism, and countryside.

Excursions can be also arranged through our Travel agency representatives (Gaviota Tours).