~ CUBA – Cuba is the largest island of the Greater Antilles. Cuba is a country with a lot of natural beauty. Before Castro’s coup d’état, many Americans lived there and had businesses that produced many different products (especially cars). Everything changed when Castro became dictator. 60% of Cubans are Catholic but the government does not recognize a national religion.
~ CAPITAL – The capital is La Habana, which has a population of 11.4 million people. Santiago is the 2nd largest city in Cuba. Camagüey is a colonial city with many churches.
~ PRESIDENT – The current president is Raúl Castro. From 1959 to 2008, Fidel Castro was the president. After the coup d’état, Castro became the central power in Cuba. Castro tried to create a socialist society. Today, Cuba is known for having a communist system of government.
Communism was very popular with the people because its philosophy divided all of the resources among all citizens in equal parts. Without a doubt, there is division among the people. There are some that support the current government but there are others who have fled from the poverty, brutality, and injustices that have existed under the military rule.
~ INDUSTRY – Cuba cultivates sugar in order to produce rum. The national drink is the mojito
(a mixture of rum and mint leaves). Also, there is a large tobacco industry and many people take great pride in their production of hand-rolled cigars.
~ POPULAR DANCES – Popular dances are the salsa, conga and the rumba. Cubans love to listen and dance to salsa music everywhere! It is said that Cubans have natural rhythm in their hips.
~ SPORTS AND PASTIMES – Popular sports and pastimes of Cuba include baseball, basketball, volleyball, dancing, and cock-fighting. Many people play dominoes to pass the time.
~ NATIONAL HERO - José Martí is a national hero of Cuba. He was a poet who fought for the liberty of Cubans. His most famous poem is from his work, <<Simple Verses>> (Guantanamera).
~ THE EDUCATION SYSTEM – It is free to attend university; however, it is mandatory to do some type of service after earning a degree. The government requires all people to serve in the community after graduation. The best student from each school receives an academic award each year called <<El Beso de la Patria>>.
©2011, Amy Dunaway-Haney, Jeremy Kohler, and Kathleen Acosta

~ AIDS – Cubans have free universal health care. The rate of AIDS cases is much lower than in the
Dominican Republic. HIV infected people live in clinics. These are centers where the people with HIV receive medical care and are well taken care of.
Dominican Republic: 1.1% Cuba: less than .1%
~ TRADE EMBARGO - The United States Trade Embargo against Cuba is a commercial, economic, and financial embargo imposed on Cuba in October of 1960. The embargo was made law in 1992 for the purpose of maintaining sanctions against the Castro regime so long as it continues to refuse to move toward democratization and greater respect for human rights. The embargo is still in effect and is the longest enduring trade embargo in modern history.
~ CUBAN-AMERICAN TRAVEL – U.S. citizens are currently banned from traveling to Cuba. U.S. citizens can circumvent the ban by traveling to Cuba via a different country, as Cuban immigration authorities do not stamp passports. However, Americans risk prosecution by the U.S. government if discovered, with penalties as severe as 10 years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines for violators of the embargo. On April 13, 2009, President Barack Obama loosened the travel ban, now allowing
Cuban-Americans to travel freely to the country.
~ SENDING MONEY TO CUBA - U.S. citizens may send to members of their immediate family in Cuba up to $300 per household in any consecutive three-month period, provided that no member of the household is a Cuban government official or a member of the Cuban Communist Party. U.S. citizens are prohibited from using credit cards in Cuba. U.S. credit card companies do not accept vouchers from
Cuba, and Cuban shops, hotels and other places of business do not accept U.S. credit cards. Neither personal checks or travelers’ checks drawn from U.S. banks are accepted in Cuba.
~ SANTERÍA – Santería is a syncretic (melding practices from a variety of traditions) Caribbean religion. It is a belief that combines the Yoruba religion with Roman Catholicism. The religion is very secretive and is passed on through oral tradition. At times, it involves animal sacrifices. Chickens are commonly used.
~ GUANTANAMO BAY - Guantanamo Bay is the military base of the United States (Detention facility).
Although the U.S. has a trade embargo with Cuba, Cuba does permit the United States to keep their international criminals in Cuba at this facility.
~ FAMOUS PEOPLE -
~ FIDEL CASTRO – Cuba’s former president (dictator) who ruled from 1959 to 2008
~ DESI ARNAZ - Actor/Singer
~ CELIA CRUZ – The queen of salsa and the voice of Cuban culture
~ EVA MENDES - Actress
~ ANDY GARCÍA - Actor
~ CAMERON DÍAZ - Actress
~ DAISY FUENTES – Actress/Model
~ CRISTINA MILIAN - Singer
~ GLORIA ESTEFAN – Successful singer in the United States
©2011, Amy Dunaway-Haney, Jeremy Kohler, and Kathleen Acosta

Me llamo _________________.
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What is the capital of Cuba? ________________________________________
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Who is the leader of Cuba? _________________________________________
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Describe Cuba’s government and the history of communism.
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Tell me two important facts about Cuba’s education system.
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Tell me about 3 famous Cubans.
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6.
What are the 3 main products of Cuba? What are they like and/or what are they used for?
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7.
What types of music are popular in Cuba?
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8.
Write about the health system in Cuba.
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9.
Discuss some popular sports and pastimes in Cuba.
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©2011, Amy Dunaway-Haney, Jeremy Kohler, and Kathleen Acosta