General Information
Cuba is located at the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico. Its nearest neighbours are Haiti to the east, the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico) to the west, Florida (United States) to the north and Jamaica to the south. Cuba is 1200 km (745 miles) long and covers 110,922 km² or 42,828 square miles. (Ireland covers 27,136 square miles) It has more than 280 beaches, unspoiled keys, grottoes, caves, mountains, forests, savannas and swamps. 

Climate
Cuba has a moderate subtropical climate and is just below the Tropic of Cancer. Being longand narrow, on an East-West axis, it is cooled by trade winds and sea breezes.

Seasons
There are only two clearly defined seasons in Cuba: the dry season, from November - April, and the rainy season, from May - October.

Mountain Ranges
There are three large mountain ranges: the Sierra de los Organos, in the West; the Sierra del Escambray, in the middle of the country; and the Sierra Maestra, in the southern part of eastern Cuba, with the highest point in the country being Turquino Peak, 1,974 m (6476 ft) above sea level. It's longest river is El Cauto, stretching for 250 km (155 miles).

Wildlife
There are no animals or plants harmful to man. There are approximately 900 fish species, most of them edible; 300 birds, thousands of mollusks and insects and the smallest animal species in the world: the sapito (Sminthillus limbatus) and the hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae). There are more than 8,000 plant species, half of them endemic. Cuba's sea flora and fauna rank among the most beautiful and best preserved in the world.

State and Government
The highest body of government in the Republic of Cuba is the National Assembly of the People's Power or Parliament, represented by the Council of State. It consists of provincial, municipal and local bodies. The Council of Ministers is the executive arm of the Council of State.

Language
Spanish is the official language. However, English is spoken at almost all hotels and tourist destinations.

National Bird
The Tocororo or Cuban Trogan (Priotelus temnurus).

Flag
It was first raised in the city of Cárdenas (Matanzas Province) in 1850 when a group of insurrectionist took up arms against the Spanish colonial power.  The three blue stripes represent the departments that the Island was divided into at that time. The two white stripes evoke the purity of the intentions for independence of the people. The equilateral triangle stands for freedom, equality and fraternity. Its red colour is the announcement of the blood that would be necessary to shed in order to reach independence. The white and lone star is the symbol of absolute freedom of the people. 

When the War of Independence started, on October 10, 1868, Carlos Manuel de Céspedes ordered another flag designed; that one now stands next to the national emblem in the hall of sessions of the Cuban Parliament. 

Population
Cuba's population of just over 11 million consists of descendants of Spaniards, Africans and Asians.

Capital
City of Havana, with almost 3 million inhabitants.

Political-Administrative
For political and administrative purposes, Cuba is divided into 14 provinces and a special municipality, the Isle of Youth:  Pinar del Rio, Havana, City of Havana, Matanzas, Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila, Camaguey, Las Tunas, Holguin, Granma, Santiago de Cuba and Guantanamo. 

Economy
Tourism has replaced sugar cane as Cuba's leading money earner. Other important industries include cigars, nickel, rum, coffee and more recently, pharmaceutical and biotechnological production.

Education
Education is free at all levels and compulsory until secondary schooling. Illiteracy was eradicated in 1961 and the people are generally highly trained.

Sports
Cuban sports since 1959 have been marked by excellent Olympic results, an outstanding standing in the world of athletics, mass participation and free practice.

Culture
Cuba is rich in artistic expressions and creative people, and has contributed to world culture by way of outstanding writers, thinkers, dancers, musicians, painters, poets and singers. The Cuban cultural infrastructure consists of theatres, museums, art galleries and movie theatres where national and international art of all kinds are shown. Cuba hosts many major international events, such as the Ballet Festival, the biennial art exhibitions, folk music festivals, the New Latin American Film Festival, etc.

Currency
All payments in establishments operating in foreign exchange in Cuba must be made with convertible pesos. Convertible pesos will remain at par with the US dollar at an exchange rate of one for one. You may exchange Euros, Canadian dollars, pounds sterling or Swiss francs for convertible pesos. The exchange rates for those currencies are set in accord with the exchange rates on the international market.  You may also exchange US dollars for convertible pesos, but a service charge of 10 percent will be levied, to protect Cuba's economic interests. You may exchange convertible pesos for US dollars at par (at the exchange rate of one for one) or for other convertible currencies (depending on availability and at the established rates) in any of the money- exchange offices in Cuba. Euros can be used in Havana and the following tourist resorts: Varadero; the Jardines del Rey Archipelago; Holguín; Santa Lucía Beach, in Camagüey; Covarrubias Beach, in Las Tunas; and Cayo Largo del Sur .

Customs Regulations
Anything for personal use that is reasonably necessary for the time you are in Cuba is exempt from taxation. Also permitted without tax: personal jewels, a photographic or video camera, binoculars, a portable radio and other items that will also accompany you on departure.

Immigration
You must have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry into Cuba and evidence of return passage is a required prior to entry. If you have a one-way ticket, you will have to purchase a return ticket before entering Cuba. You're also required to have a visa or tourist card unless you're from a country with a visa waiving agreement Cuba, or were born in Cuba. Tourist visas are generally provided with flights, but may also be purchased from the Cuban Consulate. Tourist visas are valid for 30 days, extendable for another 30 days locally in Cuba with Immigration (with purchase of stamps and evidence of outgoing passage). Business or journalist visas should be requested in advance from the Cuban Consulate. Travellers born in Cuba must travel to Cuba on a Cuban passport, regardless of any other nationality or citizenship obtained after birth. We urge all travellers to consult with the Cuban Embassy for clarification regarding immigration regulations.

Electric Power
The electric current in general use is 110 volts, 60Hz. Some hotel facilities also have 220 volts. It's best to inquire about the specific properties you'll be staying at prior to departure