According to ezinereligion, in 2007, Cuba had an estimated population of over 11 million people, composed mainly of Mestizo and White ethnic groups. The official language was Spanish but several other languages were also spoken. The economy was largely based on exports of sugar, nickel and tobacco. In terms of foreign relations, Cuba had close ties with its neighbors Venezuela and Mexico and maintained diplomatic relations with several other countries such as the United States, China and Russia. Politically, Cuba was a socialist republic led by President Fidel Castro since 1959 until his term ended in 2008. Following his term Raul Castro became President in 2008 and is still in power today.
Yearbook 2007
Cuba. The question of Fidel Castro’s possible return to power, which has occupied both Cubans and the outside world ever since he became ill and resigned temporarily in the summer of 2006, was also not decided in 2007. The first round of the municipal elections was held on October 21. According to CountryAAH, Havana is the capital city of Cuba. Municipal elections are the only open direct elections in Cuba, but the municipal council does not exercise any real power. Their only task is to elect delegates to the National Assembly, who in turn elect members of the Cabinet and the country’s president. As Fidel did not run in the October elections, it was thereby indicated that Brother Raúl’s takeover of power will be final.
- According to abbreviationfinder: CU is the 2-letter acronym for the country of Cuba.
However, Fidel has not been inactive. Beginning in June, he wrote several articles in the official body of the Communist Party Granma on various domestic and foreign policy issues, was interviewed in Cuban TV and also received visits from left-wing Presidents Evo Morales (Bolivia), Hugo Chávez (Venezuela) and Daniel Ortega (Nicaragua). His first public statement since leaving was in January, when he personally called Hugo Chávez and talked for half an hour in Chávez’s daily radio program Aló Presidente.
In contrast to the US, the EU has shown interest in closer contacts with Cuba since Raúl Castro took over. During the year, as in the past, Spain was the driving force in these efforts. Raúl also showed signs of being more pragmatically minded than Fidel in financial matters, and was for example. on several occasions openly critical of Fideltrule Carlos Lage, Deputy Prime Minister. The National Assembly’s approval in June of a reform program for the justice system also indicates a certain openness to EU pressures and recommendations on human rights issues. Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque, however, rejected the EU’s proposal for open dialogue as long as the diplomatic sanctions imposed by the EU in 2003 following a human rights dispute remain.
Cuba weather in March, April and May
Average daily temperatures between 28 ° C and 31 ° C can be expected over the next three months. It gets warmest in May in Holguin, a bit cooler in March in Havana.
Do you want to go on a beach holiday? The water temperatures are in March, April and May 24-28 ° C. This is great weather for a great time on the beach and in the water.
In March it rains depending on the region of 3 (Trinidad) to 5 days (Holguin), April to 4 (Trinidad) to 6 days (Holguin) and in May to 9 (Trinidad) to 14 days (Holguin).
In the period from March to May , the sun shines on average between 8 and 9 hours a day. The sunniest weather is in March in Havana, with a little less sun you have to get by in May.
Havana
Havana, Spanish La Habana, capital of Cuba, on the north coast of the island; 2. 1 million residents (2017). Havana is one of the oldest and historically most important cities in the New World. It is also considered one of the most beautiful; the well-preserved, but now severely worn, older parts of the city (La Habana Vieja), together with the fortifications, have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage. Restoration work is in progress.
Havana is Cuba’s political, economic and cultural center. The city’s development has been linked to the port, which still handles a large part of the country’s foreign trade, especially of imports. José Martí International Airport is 15 km south of the city center. Havana is also Cuba’s largest industrial city. In addition to the traditional, agricultural-based industry (sugar, rum, cigars) there are, among others, the iron, steel, oil and chemical industries. The university was founded in 1728.
Cityscape
Havana’s oldest neighborhoods are located at the narrow port entrance and are flanked by the three fortifications of Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro (1587–97), Fortaleza de la Cabaña (1763–74) and Castillo de la Punta (16th century). The buildings here are characterized by low Spanish colonial residential buildings and partly by larger buildings such as the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales (1773–93, now the town hall), Casa de Gobierno (1776–92) and the Monastery of Santa Clara (1635–44, now the Ministry of Labor). Here are also several churches, for example the Cathedral of San Cristóbal (c. 1660–1724) with a later Baroque facade (completed 1777).
The city’s modern development focuses primarily on the Plaza de la Revolución – Havana’s administrative center – and along the Malecón boardwalk. Newer buildings include the Academy of Art (1962-65) with its domed buildings in pink brick by Ricardo Porro, Vittorio Garatti and Roberto Gottardi and the university area by José Fernández.
History
Havana was founded in 1515 by Cuba’s conqueror and first governor, Diego Velázquez. The city became an early gathering place for the Spanish convoys to the mother country and thereby also a desirable destination for pirates. After a French freebie raid, which virtually destroyed the city in 1555, the fortifications began to make Havana the strongest fortress in Spain in America. In 1607, Havana was appointed by royal decree as the capital of Cuba. The city was occupied in 1762–63 by the British, who returned it to the Spaniards in exchange for Florida. Since restrictions in trade with Spain were abolished in 1778, Havana soon developed into the world’s new port city. The explosion of the US warship Maine in the port of Havana triggered the Spanish-American war in 1898. Havana remained as the capital of the new state of Cuba, which was formed in 1902. The city continued to grow rapidly during the 20th century. In particular, the tourism sector expanded due to large US investments, a development that was, however, interrupted by the revolution in 1959. In the 1990s, the tourism industry regained momentum.