| By Cuba, beauty in simplicity, a haven, a paradise, an | | | | fear a glorious death, because to die for the country |
| experience. One of the largest Caribbean islands, | | | | is to life' portrays the fierce loyalty the people have |
| Cuba is all you can dream of and a little more. Endless | | | | for its island. The Cuban national flower is the |
| sandy beaches, captivating culture, old-age | | | | butterfly jasmine, Trogon is its national bird, and the |
| architecture, friendly locals, delicious cuisine, it is a | | | | royal palm is its national tree. Think of a land with |
| place you would not want to leave. Cuba consists of | | | | 6700 species of plants, 14,000 species of |
| the main island, the Isle of Youth and about 4,195 | | | | invertebrates and 650 species of vertebrates. Think |
| keys commonly known as cayos. It is 140 kilometers | | | | Cuba. Hidden within its enchanting forests, arid |
| from the Bahamas and 180 kilometers from Florida. | | | | mountains and lush plains there is a plethora of wildlife |
| Cuba's 11,200,000 inhabitants predominantly speak | | | | unique to this part of the world. It is a hikers dream |
| Spanish. Journey with us as we take you down the | | | | come true, as the winding trails reveal over 350 |
| alleys, past the favorite haunts and experience with | | | | species of birds. Cuba has four mountain ranges and |
| us the true magic of this virgin holiday destination. | | | | Turquino (1,974 meters) is the country's highest peak. |
| Join us as we rediscover Cuba's past, revel in its | | | | Comfortable cotton is recommended for Cuba's |
| present and predict what lies ahead. History has | | | | warm climate. Although the average temperature |
| recorded that Cuba was originally called Cubanascnan. | | | | hovers around 25.5ºc, the average relative |
| Christopher Columbus called it Juana. Colonization was | | | | humidity is 78%. Depending upon the season, a |
| credited to a Spanish soldier Diego Velázquez | | | | raincoat and an umbrella may come in handy too! |
| who established Baracoa in the year 1511. With his | | | | Cuba is full of must-see places. From the plantations |
| success he went on to establish Santiago de Cuba in | | | | of Cuba's Pinar del Rio province to the Varadero |
| 1514 and Havana in 1515. Thus began the era of the | | | | beach, from the Great Natural Park of Montemar to |
| Spanish rule. The 1830s sparked the independence | | | | Cienfuegos- The Southern pearl, the country is |
| movement, which gained momentum after 1886 | | | | brimming in tourist attractions. Travel with us through |
| when slavery was abolished. Cuba's history has seen | | | | these pages, as we give you a glimpse of a country |
| several phases. Some of great success and some of | | | | that has so much to offer that Christopher Columbus |
| great loss. It has traveled many roads but has never | | | | called it the Pearl of the Caribbean. Meet the people |
| lost focus on its final destination. This desire to | | | | at the bustling market places, enjoy the aroma of |
| triumph past persecution and revolt has succeeded in | | | | authentic Cuban cuisine and take in the sheer |
| Cuba being a free country today. The spirit of Cuba | | | | splendor of this scenic paradise. |
| is well reflected in its anthem. The phrase 'do not | | | | |