56 Interesting Facts About Cuba

Looking for some fun and interesting facts about Cuba for an upcoming trip?

Here you’ll find some general information regarding politics, the economy, US-Cuban relations, Cuban history, and more.

1. The current President is no longer a Castro. Miguel Díaz-Canel took office in 2019 after succeeding Raúl Castro.

2. While Díaz-Canel is the President, Raúl Castro remains the head to the Communist Party of Cuba. The leader of the revolution and brother to Raúl, Fidel Castro died in 2016.

3. Since the Cuban Revolution in the 1950s, politics has been dominated by the Communist Party.

4. The state initially limited any private ownership, but in the years especially since the fall of the Soviet Union, the economy has been steadily opening up to foreign investment and tourism.

5. In the early 1990s, Cuba teetered on the edge of collapse. Many people struggled to find food. Several reforms ended this devastation known as the Special Period. Some of these reforms included increasing foreign investment and tourism, which has helped the government sustain itself since the Special Period.  

6. The economy of Cuba cannot be considered a pure communist model and is certainly not what Karl Marx would have envisioned.

Related: Why does Cuba use two currencies?

7. Cuba, like many countries in the world today, faces growing economic inequality. This inequality can also be stratified geographically, with Havana being the most economically advantaged city in the country.

8. While income inequality is less severe than in the United States, Cubans with more resources continue to be more advantaged. For example, Cubans with family that have emigrated are better able to secure basic goods and commodities, not to mention greater valued cash, which is often sent back home in the form of remittances.

9. Despite the efforts of the revolution, racial inequality also still exists in Cuba, with Afro-Cubans generally more marginalized than white Cubans.

10. Gender equality has made great strides. Women in Cuba in general have better access to healthcare and education than most places in the world. Domestic violence and sexual harassment, like most of the world, remains an issue.

11. Prior to the Cuban Revolution, the United States and Cuba maintained strong diplomatic relations.

12. The United States backed the dictator General Fulgencio Batista and dominated the Cuban economy (where do you think all those classic cars came from?).

13. Fidel Castro successfully ousted the U.S. influence and Batista.

14. Though there have been brief moments of improved relations, the United States continues to embargo any American business from engaging with Cuba.

15. The half century old embargo with the United States has failed to dislodge the communist party, but has succeeded in reducing the resources available to the average Cuban citizen.

16. Many wealthier Cubans fled the country to the U.S. in an effort to protect their assets during the transition to communism. In the decades that would follow, many Cubans made death defying efforts to use make-shift boats to cross the sea to Florida.

17. Due to the Cuban Adjustment Act, the United States privileged Cuban immigrants over most others by fast tracking their legal residency status. In 2017, this law was amended to treat Cubans the same as any other migrant group.

18. The largest Cuban diaspora lives in the south of Florida.

19. Today, Cubans and Cuban Americans are more politically conservative in U.S. politics.

20. The Cuban hutia, otherwise known as Desmarest’s hutia, is the largest land mammal in Cuba (besides humans). It is a large rodent.

21. The highest mountain in Cuba is Pico Turquino, located in the Sierra Maestra mountain range in southeastern Cuba. It stands at 1,974 meters (6,476 feet) above sea level.

22. The longest river in Cuba is the Río Cauto, which flows for approximately 370 kilometers (230 miles). It is located in the southeastern part of the island and originates in the Sierra Maestra mountains.

23. Guantánamo Bay is owned by Cuba, but the land and surrounding waters are leased to the United States under agreements stemming from the early 20th century.

24. As of January 2025, Havana hosts approximately 116 embassies including North Korea.

25. As of 2024, Havana’s population is estimated at approximately 2,152,520 residents.

26. In July 2021, large-scale protests broke out across Havana and other parts of Cuba, marking the country’s largest anti-government demonstrations in decades.

27. The second-largest city in Cuba is Santiago de Cuba. Located in the southeastern part of the island, it has a population of approximately 433,000 residents.

28. Cuban doctors are internationally renowned for their high-quality medical training, humanitarian work, and their role in global health initiatives.

29. The University of Havana (Universidad de La Habana) is the largest and most prestigious university in Cuba. It is also one of the oldest universities in the Americas, founded in 1728.

30. The largest export of Cuba is medical products, particularly pharmaceuticals and biotechnology products.

31. Venezuela is one of Cuba’s largest trading partners, especially in the energy sector. In exchange for Cuban medical services and other goods, Venezuela has provided Cuba with oil, which has been critical for the Cuban economy.

32. China is another important trade partner, particularly for pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and nickel exports.

33. Historically, sugar was Cuba’s largest export, and although its importance has decreased over time, it remains a notable part of the economy.

34. Cuban cigars are globally famous for their quality, and tobacco is one of the country’s best-known exports.

35. Cuban rum, particularly brands like Havana Club, is another significant export. Havana Club rum is not widely available for purchase in the United States due to the U.S. embargo against Cuba.

36. The smallest bird in Cuba is the Bee Hummingbird, measuring just about 2.4 inches (6 cm) in length.

37. The largest bird in Cuba is the Cuban Ostrich, also known as the Southern Cassowary. However, the cassowary is not native to Cuba.

38. The most common shark species around Cuba is the Caribbean Reef Shark.

39. José Martí (1853–1895) was a poet, essayist, and journalist who fought for Cuba’s independence from Spain and is regarded an important national symbol.

40. The “Queen of Salsa,” Celia Cruz was one of the most influential figures in Latin music, known for her powerful voice and charismatic performances. She was born in Havana.

41. More recently, Camila Cabello rose to fame as a member of the music group Fifth Harmony before launching a successful solo career. She is known for hits like “Havana” and “Señorita.” 

42. The majority of Cubans identify as Roman Catholics, though the level of religious practice has decreased, particularly since the Cuban Revolution in 1959. The revolution led to secular policies and state atheism.

43. A significant number of Cubans practice Santería, a syncretic religion that combines elements of West African religious traditions with Catholicism. It is particularly prevalent in the Afro-Cuban population.

44. Cuba is a racially diverse country shaped by its colonial past and the transatlantic slave trade.

45. The population of Cuba includes a mix of ethnic groups, with the largest groups being of Afro-Cubans, European Cubans, and mestizos (people of mixed European and African ancestry).

46. White Cubans, predominantly of Spanish descent, are the largest racial group, constituting about 60% of the population.

47. The Cuban Revolution (1959), led by Fidel Castro, advocated for racial equality as a central principle. However, the legacy of colonialism and slavery left deep social and economic disparities between Afro-Cubans and white Cubans.

48. Fidel Castro died in 2016 at the age of 90.

49. One of Cuba’s most iconic dishes, Ropa Vieja consists of slow-cooked, shredded beef in a tomato-based sauce with onions, bell peppers, garlic, olives, and capers.

50. Known for its strength and intensity, Cuban coffee is often served as espresso or cafecito, a sweetened espresso made with sugar. It is common to drink it after dinner.

51. Cuba gained its independence on May 20, 1902, following a long fight against Spanish colonial rule.

52. Following the Spanish-American War, Spain signed the Treaty of Paris (1898), which formally ceded control of Cuba to the U.S.

53. Though the U.S. had promised to grant Cuba independence, American forces remained in Cuba following the war. The Platt Amendment (1901) allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs and to maintain a naval base at Guantánamo Bay.

54. Slavery in Cuba was officially abolished on October 7, 1886.

55. The Taíno were the most significant indigenous group in Cuba before the Spanish conquest. The majority of Cuba’s indigenous population was decimated during the colonial era, and there are no large, organized indigenous communities remaining in Cuba today.

56. Some communities in Cuba claim to be descendants of the Taíno people. They have preserved elements of indigenous customs, language, and practices, although the overall indigenous population is small and often not officially recognized.

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