The Republic of Cuba sits about 90 miles south of Key West Florida with a land mass of about 40,000 square miles. About 11M people live in this island with 2.2M people in its largest city, Havana. Cuba became a Communist country in 1959 following a revolution lead by Fidel Castro and was a client state of the Soviet Union. But with the Soviet Union’s fall in 1989, the country has suffered economically. The economy is state-run with a large service industry catering to foreign tourists. In recent years, Cuba has finally begun to focus on developing its economy. As in many totalitarian countries, there are shortages of basic goods, and Cuba has a thriving black market for necessities.
Street Scenes of Havana
Havana is the capital city, largest city, province, major port, and leading commercial center of Cuba. It has a population of 2.1 million people and has a land mass that is a little larger than 300 square miles. Havana is the largest city by area, the most populous city, and the fourth largest metropolitan area in the Caribbean.
Cojimar Fort
Train Station
Castillo del Morro Fort
Castillo del Morro Fort
Havana Skyline from Castillo del Morro Fort
The People of Havana
Cuba is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic, religious and national backgrounds. As a result, Cubans generally do not equate their ethnicity with nationality but with citizenship and their allegiance to Cuba.
The Cuban people are very friendly and when meeting Americans they are likely to invite you into their home for a visit.
Classic Cars
American cars were imported into Cuba for about 50 years, beginning near the early 20th century. After the Cuban Revolution, the U.S. embargo was erected and Castro banned the importation of American cars and mechanical parts. The old American autos are often kept running with parts and pieces that were never intended for them. It’s not uncommon to find a beautiful 1950s Chevy with a Russian engine.
Pinar del Rio Province & Vinales
About 110 miles from Havana isViñales, a small town and municipality in the north-central Pinar del Río Province of Cuba. The town consists mostly of one-story wooden houses with porches. The municipality is dominated by low mountain ranges of the Cordillera de Guaniguanico such as Sierra de los Órganos.
Vinales Town
Main Area of Vinales Town
Vinales Church
Clothing Factory
Vinales Valley
North of the town is the Viñales Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Viñales is an agricultural area, where crops of fruit, vegetables, coffee and especially tobacco are grown by traditional methods.
Tobacco
Major growing areas for Cuban tobacco are centered around Pinar del Rio province, and, in particular, the Vinales Valley. Following the revolution there was a period of turbulence as the industry was nationalized, but economic assistance from the Soviet Union helped to get things going again. In fact, cigar quality increased with strict government supervision and the early 1990s was a golden era for Cuban cigars.
Music
Music is an integral part of the Cuban culture and can be found in the streets or in clubs. It is a very special part of the country.
Markets
Most Cubans shop for Fruits and Vegetables at Open-Air Markets
Politics
The influence of Fidel Castro and the Revolution was still pervasive in 2011. That said, the government was taking small steps to move away from Communism.
"To have more, you need to produce more"
Camilo Cienfuegos - "You're Doing Fine, Fidel"
Che Guevara - "Ever Onward to Victory"
This was my fifth visit to Yellowstone National Park and unequivocally, it is my favorite. As long as I have my health, I will continue to visit and explore this true wonder of nature.
L. Carl Volpe - carl.volpe@gmail.com
More images from Yellowstone National Park and my other trips may be found at the links below