Geography of Cuba: landscape, climate, resources, flora and fauna. Cuba. Geography, description and characteristics of the country Everything about Cuba for tourists

Islands of Cuba: Havana, Juventud, Cayo Largo, Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo, Cayo Santa Maria, Cayo Romano, Cayo Guajaba, reviews from tourists.

Cuba is a favorite holiday destination among Russian tourists who want to exchange rainy, late autumn or cold winter for the tropical paradise of Liberty Island. This name was not given to this state by chance. The first part of the name is associated with the geographical features of the country, the territory of which consists of two large and a huge number of small islands. The second refers to the relatively recent past, the revolution, the legendary personality Ernesto Che Guevara, the favorite of every new younger generation, and the odious Fidel Castro.

All islands of Cuba are part of the Greater Antilles. This archipelago also includes other world-famous and popular tourist destinations. Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, along with Cuba, are some of the main “celebrities”.

The largest island in the country bears the same name as the entire state. The very fact that the capital of the state, Havana, is located there speaks volumes. Juventud, the second largest, is in the Los Canarreos archipelago. Translated from Spanish, it means “island of youth.” There are many pine forests, beautiful nature and good beaches. However, dangerous hurricanes periodically sweep away everything in their path and pose the main threat to residents and tourists.

Another island that is part of Los Canarreos is Cayo Largo. In addition to beach holidays, you can go diving here, as there are many coral reefs near Largo. Jardines del Rey is an archipelago in northern Cuba. Its islands are famous resort areas. Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo, Cayo Santa Maria, Cayo Romano and Cayo Guajaba are the largest and most interesting to visit. The presence of an international airport on the island of Cayo Coco only adds advantages to your vacation. If Jardines del Rey translates as “gardens of the king,” then Jardines de la Reina, an archipelago spanning two Cuban provinces, means “gardens of the queen.”

The territory of the “gardens” is the largest national park in Cuba, a favorite fishing spot of Fidel Castro and a wonderful place for diving. The smallest archipelago in Cuba is Los Colorados. Its waters faithfully serve Cuban fishermen, providing lobsters, oysters and various types of fish. However, in addition to locals, tourists also come here. Not all islands are suitable for beach holidays, but those that exist are in no way inferior to the others.

In total, the island of Cuba is surrounded by four archipelagos. Two in the south and two in the north.

Cuba (Spanish: Cuba) is an island in the northern Caribbean Sea. It is part of the Greater Antilles. Cuba is separated from North America by the Strait of Florida in the north and the Yucatan Strait in the west. Territory 105 thousand km². It is the largest of the islands of the Republic of Cuba.

Cuba Island Also called the “Key to the Bay”, it is one of the largest islands in the world.

Cuba has about 300 natural beaches with fine white sand, washed by a clear sea. Throughout the island there are three mountain ranges, two large plains, and numerous valleys whose names are known throughout the world, such as the Viñales Valley, the Yumuri Valley and the Valley of the Sugar Mills. Beautiful rivers with waterfalls, including the wonderful Anabanilla Falls.

The terrain is heterogeneous; there are plains, hills and mountains. The latter occupy only a third of the territory. The three main mountain systems are the Cordillera de Guaniguanico in the west, the Escambray in the central part and the Sierra Maestra in the east. There is the highest point in Cuba - Turquino Peak (1,974 m above sea level).

Geography of Cuba

The Cuban archipelago is located in the western Caribbean Sea, between North and South America and is the gateway to the Gulf of Mexico. The shape of the island of Cuba resembles a sleeping crocodile.

Cuba, the largest of the Greater Antilles, lies between 74°–85° West longitude and 19°51°–23°10° North latitude. Cuba's closest neighbors are the Bahamas and Haiti - just 77 km to the east across the Windward Passage. The Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico) is 210 km to the west, the Florida Peninsula (USA) is 180 km to the north and Jamaica is 140 km to the south.

Cuba is washed in the north and east by the Atlantic Ocean, in the south by the Caribbean Sea, the western tip of the island is located at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico.

The island of Cuba ranks 15th in the world in terms of area and makes up 94% of the entire territory of the Republic of Cuba. The greatest length of the island from west to east is 1250 km, the greatest width is 190 km. The length of the coastline of the island of Cuba is 3735 km. The coastlines are heavily indented, there are about 200 bays and bays of various sizes. On the northern coast there are small bays and coves, often separated from the ocean by archipelagos and peninsulas, including the well-known Hicacos Peninsula. The northern and northeastern coasts are dominated by flat, elevated shores. In the southeast, at the foot of the Sierra Maestro mountain range, the banks are of fault type (steep, high and inaccessible). On the southern, southwestern coast and on the island of Juventud there are mainly low-lying shores, accompanied by mangroves. On certain sections of the coast of the island of Cuba, low shores with characteristic bays - “bags” - are formed when the mouths of valleys are flooded. In such valleys are located the best ports of Cuba - Havana, Cabanas, Mariel, Matanzas, Nuevitas, Nipe - in the north; Cienfuegos, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo - in the south.

Relief

The relief of Cuba is predominantly flat; hills and mountains occupy about a third of the territory. There are several natural areas on the island. In the western part, the relief of the island is mosaic in nature, and karst processes are widely represented. The topography of the country is mostly flat, the outlying areas of the island of Cuba (the peninsulas of Guanaacabibes and Zapata), the southern part of the island of Juventud and the nearby archipelagos are of an accumulative nature (reclaimed by the sea). In the interior regions there are deltaic and erosion-accumulative, as well as denudation plains formed on bedrock outcrops. Small areas are occupied by lake plains.

In the extreme west, from the Guanacabibes Peninsula, the Cordillera de Guaniguanico limestone chain with karst topography runs along the coast, which includes the Sierra de los Organos ridge, located west of Havana, and the Sierra del Rosario (Guajibon Peak, 692 m). In the central part of the island there are the Sierra de Trinidad mountains up to 1156 m high (Mount San Juan), the Sierra de Escambray and the Santa Clara Highlands. At the southeastern extremity of the main island there is a system of ridges divided by the Gantanamo Valley. In the northern part lie the Sierra del Cristal, Sierra de Nipe, Cuchillas de Toa and Sierra de Purial massifs with altitudes of up to 1230 m. In the southern part, the Sierra Maestra ridge stretches from east to west, in which the the highest point of the country is Turkino Peak (1974 m, according to other sources 2005 m).

Cuba has several picturesque valleys, such as the Viñales Valley and the Yumurí River Valley, which flows through a round, flat-bottomed basin with a diameter of about 8 km. On the island of Juventud, small outlier hills rise above the peneplain; in the southern part there are many karst landforms and swamps.

The length of the coastline of the island of Cuba is 5735 km. The coastline is indented with numerous bays, sandy beaches, mangrove swamps, coral reefs and steep cliffs. The submerged platform surrounding the island has an area of 78 thousand km². Among the major sites are the Zapata Peninsula, Cochinos Bay, Buena Vista Bay, Guantanamo Bay, Ana Maria Bay, Guacanaybo Bay, Batabano Bay and Santa Clara Bay, as well as Cape Cruz, the southern point of the island of Cuba.

The landscape is covered with agricultural land and urban development. The central region has a dense river network and many swamps, forests are preserved only in the Guamuaya mountain range, and the lands in the valleys and flat areas are cultivated. The central-eastern region has a flatter landscape, with natural vegetation replaced by sugarcane plantations and pastures. In the southeastern part of the island there are highly dissected mountain systems from which deep rivers flow. On the slopes of the mountains there are sugarcane and coffee plantations and pastures.

In Cuba, karst is widespread, and therefore many caves, including large ones, are known. Thus, in the west, the Santo Tomas cave has an extensive network of underground galleries with a total length of 25 km. Often there are so-called “mogotes” - forms of tropical karst, which are hills with almost vertical slopes and flat tops. Approximately 2/3 of the entire area of Cuba is occupied by slightly hilly plains. They are the most populated and developed. The banks are generally low, sometimes swampy, and in many cases overgrown with mangroves. There are often sandy beaches that stretch for many kilometers (for example, on the Hicacos Peninsula, where the famous resort of Varadero is located).

Geological structure and minerals

Cuba is located within the northern segment of the Antilles island arc of the tectonic Antilles-Caribbean region. The suture between the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates runs through the 7,200-meter-deep Cayman Trench, located between Jamaica and Cuba, making Cuba highly seismic. Over the past 300 years, earthquakes have been observed in the southeastern (Santiago) and northwestern (Havana, San Cristoval, Pinar del Rio, Guana) regions of the island. A narrow strip of the northern coast of Cuba, composed of a thick layer of Upper Mesozoic carbonate sediments, belongs to the Bahamas-Florida platform, onto which Cretaceous island-arc volcanics and Jurassic-Cretaceous ophiolites (relicts of ancient oceanic crust) are thrust from the south. Jurassic and Cretaceous carbonate rocks are common in western Cuba.

The island of Cuba has significant reserves of nickel, cobalt, and chromium. Deposits of manganese ores are known on the northern slope of the Sierra Maestra ridge. Copper ore deposits are located in the southeast and northwest. There are also known deposits of iron and gold ores, limestone, feldspars, pyrite, gypsum, quartz sand, facing stones, asbestos, rock salt, and phosphorites. Oil and gas fields have been discovered in the west of the island.

Inland waters

The rivers of Cuba (there are about 200 of them) are mostly short and low-water and are of little economic importance. They belong to the basins of the Atlantic Ocean, its Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. The rivers are fed primarily by rain. Fluctuations in their level correspond to the precipitation regime. 80% of runoff occurs in autumn. Many rivers have rapids. In karst areas there are disappearing and underground rivers. The longest river, the Cauto, is in the mountainous region of the southeast of the country, about 370 kilometers long, and originates in the Sierra Maestra mountains. It is navigable for small vessels in the lower reaches for about 120 kilometers.

Lakes are distributed mainly in the low-lying marginal areas of the island of Cuba, the most significant being Algodonal, Leche, El Mango, El Tesoro, etc.

Over 105 reservoirs with a total volume of over 6 km 3 and a total area of about 700 km 2 have been created on the island; they are mainly used for irrigation and water supply. Annually renewable water resources amount to 38 km 3, water availability is over 3.36 thousand m 3 / person. In year. 69% of water intake is spent for agricultural needs, 19% for municipal water supply, 12% is consumed by industrial enterprises.

Natural areas

The western region is distinguished by its mosaic geological structure and topography, with the greatest manifestation of tropical karst. It has large groundwater resources. Natural landscapes have been almost completely replaced by agricultural land and urban development.

The central region includes the Guamuaya mountain range, surrounded by plains and hills. Dense river network, many swamps. Forests have been preserved in the mountains, mainly along gorges, and on the plains there are plantations of various agricultural crops.

The central-eastern region is the most flat. The forests have been completely cleared and replaced by sugar cane plantations, and on the higher elevations there are pastures.

The south-eastern region is mountainous, with highly dissected terrain and relatively deep rivers. In the mountains there are areas of tropical forests, on the slopes there are sugar cane and coffee plantations and pastures.
Southern region (Juventud Island). Above the surface there are small outlier hills. The south is heavily karst, with many swamps. There is no surface runoff. Forests have been significantly reduced, and vast areas are occupied by citrus plantations and pastures.

Climate

Mild, tropical, with a pronounced rainy season (May–October). Warm sea currents and northeastern trade winds have a strong influence on the climate. The temperature regime is moderated by the influence of surrounding water spaces. Moisture-carrying northeastern trade winds penetrate almost everywhere, with the exception of deep valleys in the mountains and some areas of the southeastern coast; this explains the more moderate temperatures in summer and generally warm and comfortable conditions in winter. At higher elevations and on northern-facing slopes, temperatures are lower. The average annual temperature is 25 o C. The average temperature in January is 22.5 o C, in August - 27.8 o C. The minimum temperature is 5 o C, the maximum reaches 40 o C. At times, cold air masses invade the northeastern regions of Cuba from the north, lowering the temperature to almost 0 o C.

The annual precipitation on the plains is 1000–1200 mm, in the mountains up to 2200 mm. The rainy and hurricane season begins in May and ends in November. There are two maximums during the rainy season. The June period corresponds to the period of so-called “zenithal” rains (these are daily recurring rains that coincide in time with the position of the sun at the zenith; their formation is associated with powerful convective currents in the equatorial zone). The October period is associated with the passage of a tropical front, along which destructive hurricanes arise, affecting mainly the western regions of Cuba. The dry season lasts from November to April and is most pronounced in the southern plains (for example, in the Cauto River basin).

A special feature of Cuba is its high air humidity - up to 85%.
In winter the weather is sunny and dry.

Soils

The soil cover of Cuba is characterized by significant diversity. Fertile dark red ferrolitic soils, rich in calcium, predominate in lowland areas and are most actively used in agriculture for growing sugar cane. Less fertile red ferrolitic acid soils are typical of the lowlands of the Sierra de Trinidad. Very iron-rich ferritic soils, neutral, saturated with calcium and magnesium, are distributed mainly in the north of the central part of the island. Red-brown soils are found almost throughout the entire territory. The most infertile gleyic-eluvial soils are common on sandy alluvial and coastal plains. Peaty-marly silt-saline soils are typical for the Zapata Peninsula and parts of the Caribbean coast.

Vegetable world

The flora includes over 6,000 species of higher plants, more than half of which are endemic, and over 800 are endangered.

Before colonization, forests covered more than 50% of the territory, now only about 10%, mainly in mountainous and swampy areas. Thanks to the even climate and fertile soils, more than 3,000 species of tropical fruit plants and flowers grow in Cuba. The moist red and red-brown soils of the plains and low slopes support tropical forests of numerous deciduous and evergreen species, including the royal palm and the cana palm. On the drier and rockier soils of the western (Pinar del Rio province), eastern (Nipe Baracoa massif) parts of the island and on the island of Pinos (Juventud), significant tracts of pine forests can be seen. In some wetter mountain areas there are forests of mahogany, guaiac wood, logwood and cedrela. Low-lying coastlines are characterized by mangroves. Some areas, such as the Cauto River basin, are occupied by grass savanna-type vegetation. The areas of the southeastern coast and some others are characterized by thorny small-leaved shrubs with an admixture of cacti and agaves.

During the development of the territory, mainly lowland forests were cleared. When they were cleared, some trees, including the royal palm, were left untouched, and therefore the modern lowland landscapes of Cuba superficially resemble palm savanna. The image of the royal palm is included in the country's national coat of arms. Over 50% of the flora of Cuba are endemic (that is, species found exclusively in this region). Among them are some types of orchids and cacti.

The Escobaria cubensis cactus is a very rare endemic species that grows on the southeastern coast of Cuba. It is a miniature plant, usually no more than 3 centimeters in diameter, and blooms in summer with light yellowish-green flowers 2 centimeters long. The special pride of Cuba is the royal palm. Straight, proud, unbending, reaching 30 meters in height, it grows in all regions of the country and on any soil. It is not for nothing that Cubans identify themselves with this strong tropical tree, capable of surviving hurricane force winds.

The official flower of Cuba is the mariposa, a flower of the ginger family that symbolizes purity, rebellion and independence. It is found in wet river deltas and numerous lagoons of the island, as well as in the gardens of every self-respecting Cuban.
A very interesting tree from the laurel family with hanging roots is haguei. In Cuba you can also see the cork palm, which appeared on Earth back in the Cretaceous period. In addition, 5 species of banana palms and many orange trees grow on the island.

Animal world

On the territory of Cuba there are over 12 thousand species of terrestrial animals, including at least 7 thousand species of insects. The fauna of Cuba, the largest of the West Indies islands, is characterized by a small number of vertebrates and a significant number of endemics. Twenty species of birds that live there are found nowhere else, including the world's smallest bird, the bee hummingbird, as well as the Cuban trogon (Cuba's national bird) and the spectacularly colored Cuban flatbill. In addition, almost three quarters of the 150 species of reptiles and amphibians living in Cuba are endemic (some of them are also rare - say, the Cuban crocodile), as are a significant part of butterflies and other animals.

In the east of Cuba, several populations of one of the rarest species of mammals, the insectivorous Cuban snaptooth, have been found. Solenodon cubanus. This species was recently considered extinct and was included in the Register of Endangered Species. In appearance it resembles a badger, but differs in the long nose characteristic of insectivores. The Cuban slittooth was first described by German zoologists in 1861. Since then, only 37 specimens of this endemic species have fallen into the hands of researchers. Scientists explain this by the fact that animals lead a secretive nocturnal lifestyle and spend most of their time underground.

On the island of Cuba and its neighboring island of Pinos (Juventud), another endemic lives - the prehensile-tailed hutia - this is an ancient separate family of the genus Capromys. Representatives of this genus resemble huge rats, weighing several kilograms. The hutia conea (Capromyidae pilorides) living in Cuba is the largest mammal living in Cuba. The body of this rodent reaches 50 centimeters and ends in an almost bare tail about 25 centimeters long. The animal has coarse grayish-brown fur. Occasionally you come across light, almost white hutia. This rodent prefers to spend most of its time in trees, feeding on leaves and fruits; sometimes it catches small apolis lizards. In rocky areas, hutia can sometimes live on the ground and even dig holes. Apart from the snaptooth and bats, these are the only native mammals of Cuba.

Cuba and its surrounding islands are home to 23 species of bats, of which the Jamaican fruit bat is the most common.

Of the 340 species of birds that inhabit Cuba, many come only for the winter; there are only 54 local species. Among them is the famous hummingbird, weighing only 2 grams, as well as the macaw and small vultures.

The smallest birds on the planet - hummingbirds - are part of the genus of dwarf elves. The smallest of the smallest birds in the world, the bee hummingbird, lives only in Cuba. Hummingbirds are known for their amazing ability to hover in place, which allows them to linger in front of flowers and collect nectar. The question of how these creatures manage to remain motionless in the air has intrigued researchers for years. And then the American scientist Warrick revealed this secret. It turns out that the hummingbird's flight style is intermediate between that of birds and that of insects. Hummingbirds get 25% of their lift from the upward motion of their wings and 75% from the downward motion, while other birds rely almost exclusively on the downward motion of their wings, unlike insects, which get 50% from each of these motions. There are 17 species of macaw parrots, all of which live in areas of Latin and South America. Macaws are the largest representatives of the parrot order (Psittaciformes). Their characteristic features are a rather bright color, a large beak, the tip of which is sharply curved, a relatively long tail and a large body size. Most macaw species are gregarious, although some live in pairs. They nest in tree hollows. Macaws are by no means silent parrots. They scream, yell, and make a sharp grinding sound in an unimaginably piercing manner. The repertoire depends entirely on the vocal abilities of each individual. They can also be quite good “talkers” - macaws pronounce sounds quite clearly. These parrots feed on various fruits, seeds, juice of ripe fruits and nuts, which they crunch with their powerful beaks. Some species eat snails, finding them on palms and other trees. Macaws often fly quite long distances in search of ripe nuts and fruits.

The national bird of Cuba is the Cuban Trogon. The trogon order includes brightly colored birds that fit well into tropical forests with their exotic beauty. The Cuban Trogon's striking red, white and blue plumage matches the colors of the national flag. When deprived of its freedom, a Trogon is believed to die of a broken heart.

5 species of woodpeckers – golden avocet, Cuban avocet, Bahamian melanerpes, Cuban green, white-billed king.

Typical insects are termites and kokuyo fireflies, about which Main Reed wrote that “if you put a dozen of these insects in a glass vessel, then by their light you can read the smallest seal...

The American manatee (Trichechus manatus), a genus of mammals from the order of sirenians or herbivorous whales, lives near the coast and in rivers. American manatees live in families. They appear to be monogamous and both animals of each pair are very attached to each other. The female gives birth to one or two young. It turned out that manatees are easily tamed.
There are deer in the forests, which serve as hunting prey.
There are no poisonous snakes or animals dangerous to humans on the island, except crocodiles.

Reptiles include crocodiles, iguanas and other lizards, as well as several species of non-venomous snakes. The Cuban boa (Epicrates angulifer) is the largest species of smooth-lipped boa. These boas are nocturnal and reach up to 4 meters in length. Their favorite prey is bats.

Another endemic species is the Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer Cuvier), living on the islands of Cuba and Pinos (Juventud). Crocodiles inhabit fresh water bodies and spend most of the day in the water. They go ashore in the morning and late afternoon. They often lie with their mouth wide open, due to the need to regulate body temperature. They lay eggs the size of chicken eggs, and the female remains close to the clutch, protecting it from enemies. They hunt at night. In addition to fish, they eat any prey they can handle.

Blind fish and shrimp live in the reservoirs of karst caves. Crustaceans include land crabs and hermit crabs.

Specially protected natural areas

Specially protected natural areas are: biosphere reserves of Sierra del Rosario and Guanaacabibes in the province of Pinar del Rio; San Felipe (Los Indios) Nature Reserve and Punta Frances Marine Park on Isla Juventud; Varadero National Park; the natural parks of Bahia de Naranjo and La Mensura and Baconao in the province of Holguin; Sierra Maestra National Park in the province of Santiago de Cuba and Alexander Humboldt Park in the province of Guantanamo Bay; nature reserves El Cabo, Cupelle and others.

Cave "Martin Infierno".

National Monument. This cave contains a 67 m high stalagmite - the largest in Cuba and one of the largest in Latin America - as well as two mineralogical attractions known as Moon Milk and Gypsum Flowers.

Vinales Valley National Park.

Lying in the Sierra de los Organos mountains, among which the most interesting Cuban karst valleys are located, this valley is notable for its "mogotes" - steep hills with flat tops, but also has such interesting places as Palenque de los -Cimarrones (camp where fugitive slaves hid), Indian Cave, Great Cave of Santo Tomas, healing springs of San Vicente.

Soroa. Among the local attractions are one of the world's largest orchid nurseries, a waterfall on the Manantiales River and the wonderful natural viewing platform Castillo de las Nubes (Cloud Palace) on the top of Mount Loma del Fuerte.
Natural Reserve Los Indios - San Felipe. It is located in the eastern part of the island of Juventud and is interesting for its highly endemic flora and fauna.

Topes de Collantes National Park.

Situated at an altitude of 800 m above sea level, in the middle of the Escambray mountain range, this natural protected area is of amazing beauty and is of great scientific importance. Among its attractions is the El Kabumi waterfall - one of the most significant in the country.

South Jibaro.

A hunting reserve where large colonies of migratory ducks, quails, rabiche pigeons, white-winged pigeons and Guinea hens are concentrated.

Tourist complex "Las Terrazas".

Located in the Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve. Guests can explore numerous trails, visit the ruins of ancient French coffee plantations and admire sites such as Baños de San Juan and Cañada del Infierno.

Punta Frances.

National Marine Park located in the southwest of Isla Juventud. It is notable for the beauty of its landscapes and small beaches, which lie protected by coral barriers and are separated by coastal rocks and cliffs.

The Republic of Cuba has the unofficial name of Liberty Island, and occupies the entire territory of the island of Cuba, which is part of the Greater Antilles. The history of the Republic is closely connected with political events during the Cold War and the confrontation between the United States and the Russian Federation in the political arena, which is due to its favorable location and proximity to the North, South and Central parts of America.

The official name of the Republic of Cuba has two versions of its origin story. Some scientists believe that this word came from the language of local Indian tribes, who called fertile lands that way. Others believe that this is what Columbus named this island at the time of its discovery, giving the island the name of a settlement with a similar name in Portugal.

Geographical characteristics

The island is located at the junction of three parts of America - North, South and Central. This is the largest island that belongs to the territory of the West Indies, and it represents the largest part of the territory of the Republic. It also includes adjacent islands and coral reefs from the Greater Antilles.

In terms of territory, Cuba is quite impressive, and occupies 110,860 square kilometers, which stretch from west to east for 250 kilometers. The outline of the Republic on the map is very reminiscent of a lizard that has turned its head towards the Atlantic.

People of mixed national origin live here. When the Spaniards reached the island, it was inhabited by tribes of Indians of the Arawak group, as well as those who had recently migrated from Haiti. However, during the process of colonization, the indigenous people were practically destroyed, and most of the territory was occupied by the Spaniards and other colonizing peoples. Today the population of the state is more than 11 million people, of which only about 65% of citizens can be classified as white.

Nature

Rivers and lakes

The rivers on the territory of the Republic are not large. They are usually quite short and not very watery. More than 600 rivers or streams are found here, many of them heading north, although others flow south into the Caribbean Sea.

There are a huge number of swamps on the banks, the largest of which is called Zapata. Lakes, like rivers, are small and most often freshwater, although there are also salty lagoons. The largest fresh water lake is called Laguna de Leche, and its waters are distinguished by a whitish milky hue, which is explained by the chalk content in the water...

Sea, bay and ocean surrounding Cuba

The southern part of the territory of the Republic is washed by the Caribbean Sea, and from the northwest the island bends around the Gulf of Mexico. The northeastern coast faces the Atlantic Ocean...

Plants and animals

More than 3,000 species of tropical fruiting plants and flowers grow in Cuba and the surrounding islands. The forests contain both deciduous and evergreen trees, and it is not uncommon to find redwood or logwood. In the mid-20th century, forest plantations were actively planted, and today more than 30% of the territory is covered with green spaces and forests...

One of the most interesting mammals in Cuba is the almost exterminated Cuban slittooth. The island is home to 23 species of bats, as well as many different rodents. Parrots and thrushes predominate among the birds, and flamingos and hummingbirds also live in large numbers.

Amphibians include alligators and a variety of lizards, including the iguana, as well as turtles and crocodiles. Among snakes there are many varieties that are non-venomous and not dangerous to humans. More than 7 thousand species of insects and 500 species of fish complement the fauna of this Republic.

Climate of Cuba

The tropical location next to the Gulf Stream and warm trade winds provides a fairly warm climate in Cuba. The average temperature in January usually does not fall below 22.5 degrees Celsius, and in August reaches 27-28 degrees on average. From the beginning of May until October there can be quite heavy rainfalls, and in the fall the picture is complemented by hurricanes. From November to March the most favorable tourist season...

Resources

Industry and Agriculture

The subplatform areas on which the state is located consist mostly of limestone fossils. There are practically no expensive minerals in the country that could bring profit to the Cuban budget. The main types of industry are light, textile and food; heavy industry occupies a very small place in the country.

Fertile lands produce rich harvests, which is why agriculture is quite well developed in Cuba. The bulk of the plantations is occupied by sugar cane, but other aspects of agricultural structures are also actively developing. Cuba supplies the world market with a large number of elite cigars and sugar, as well as nickel in quite significant quantities...

The island of Cuba (Spanish version - Cuba) is a large island in the Greater Antilles archipelago, which is located in the northern part of the Caribbean Sea. The name of the island comes from the word “cubanacan”, translated from the Taino Indian language as “central place”.

Cuba, like its neighboring islands in the Greater Antilles Archipelago, is the surface part of the underwater North Caribbean mountain range, formed at the site of the collision of three geological plates. Geographically, the island of Cuba is located southwest of the Florida Peninsula (USA) and northeast of Yucatan (Mexico). The island of Cuba is separated from Florida by the Strait of Florida, and from Yucatan by the Yucatan Strait. To the northeast of Cuba are the Bahamas through the Nicholas Strait and the Old Bahama Strait, and to the east is the island of Haiti (Hispaniola), separated by the Windward Strait. The island of Cuba has a curved shape slightly elongated from west to east. Along its entire length, the coastline forms quite a few bays and bays, among which the largest in area are Batabano, Corrientes, Ana Maria, Guacanayabo and others. The shores are mostly flat, and in some places swampy, often covered with mangroves. There are many sandy and pebble beaches on the coast. The relief of Cuba is mostly flat, but more than a third of the island's territory is occupied by mountains and hills. The highest and largest mountain range of the island is the Sierra Maestra Mountains, which stretch along the southeastern coast. The highest point of Cuba is also located here - Turquino Peak, with a height of 1974 meters above sea level. The rivers on the island of Cuba are not long and not high in water; among them, the Cauto River stands out, flowing into the Gulf of Guacanaiabo on the southeastern coast. The area of the island of Cuba is approximately 105,000 square kilometers.

The island of Cuba was discovered by the expedition of Christopher Columbus in mid-October 1492. In 1515, the Spanish conquistador Diego Velazquez de Cuellar captured the island, conquering the local Indian tribes, among whom the Tainos predominated. In the first ten years of Spanish rule, the indigenous population of Cuba was almost completely destroyed, and therefore black slaves began to be imported from Africa to work in the mines and plantations. In 1823, a people's liberation uprising against Spanish rule broke out in Cuba, but the Spanish authorities managed to suppress it. Spain lost Cuba in 1898 after defeat in the Spanish-American War. As a result of the war, the island of Cuba was annexed by the United States. Formally, Cuba gained independence in 1933, but the puppet government of dictator Batista was put in power on the island. In 1953, the national liberation movement of the Cuban people under the leadership of Fidel Castro arose in Cuba. In 1959, with the support of the Soviet Union, Castro seized power on the island and announced the construction of a pro-communist state. After the fall of the USSR, the Cuban economy fell into a deep crisis. Currently, Cuba has not abandoned the socialist path of development of society and continues to develop its post-crisis economy, basing it on the mining and sugar industries, and, of course, on tourism.

Cuba is currently perhaps the only state in the world on whose territory two monetary units are officially in circulation, issued by one issuing bank. These are the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC, code 931) and the Cuban Peso (CUP, code 192), which are divided into 100 centavos.

The population of Cuba is currently about 11 million people. For the most part, it represents a persistent ethnic group that has been formed over a long time, which consists of descendants of Indians and immigrants from Spain and Africa. This ethnic group is called Cubans. The official and most commonly spoken language on the island is Spanish. The island of Cuba is the main island of the Republic of Cuba, which is a unitary state consisting of 16 provinces. The capital of the Republic of Cuba and at the same time the largest populated area of the island is the city of Havana, which is located on the northwestern coast of the island and is populated by more than two million inhabitants. In addition to Havana, in terms of population size and economic importance, it is worth highlighting the cities of Ciego de Avila, Santiago de Cuba, Cienfuegos, Camagüey, Bayamo, Pinar del Rio and others.

For numerous tourists and guests of Cuba, getting to the island is not difficult, since several large international airports have been built here, the largest of which is Havana José Martí Airport. In addition to air communications, the island of Cuba is well connected to various parts of the Earth and by sea. There are several large seaports on the island, including Havana, which can easily accommodate various passenger ships.

The island of Cuba has been a center of tourism since the end of the century before last, so around this period they began to build fashionable hotels on the island in various coastal cities and combine them into complexes with other objects of the tourism industry. After the revolution in Cuba, the tourism business fell into crisis, but recently it has begun to gain momentum again, which has led to the reconstruction of old hotels and the construction of new ones. Currently, a visiting tourist can stay in one of 358 hotels and inns that are officially registered with the international association of hoteliers and restaurateurs. As a rule, coastal hotels, which are distinguished by a high level of service, have their own beaches, golf clubs, horse riding fields, tennis courts, restaurants and nightclubs. All this adds comfort for numerous vacationers.

Experts classify the climate in Cuba as tropical trade wind. There are no significant temperature fluctuations depending on the season on the island. The average annual temperature is approximately + 25 °C. January is considered the coldest month in Cuba, at this time the average air temperature is about + 22-23 °C. The hottest time on the island is in August, when average temperatures rise to +27-28 °C. The island receives quite a lot of precipitation in the form of tropical torrential rains, their average annual rate sometimes exceeds 1400-1500 millimeters. The period from early May to mid-October sees the most rainfall, while the period from November to April is drier.

The unique natural features of the island, convenient geographical location and favorable climate have given impetus to the development of beach tourism in Cuba for a long time. Several fashionable and prestigious beach and hotel complexes have been created along the southern coast of the island, welcoming tourists from all over the world. Among them, such complexes as Varadero, Cayo Guillermo, Cayo Santa Maria, Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo and others stand out. Vacationers are also pleasantly surprised by the corresponding infrastructure of the resorts, which includes a harmony of several factors that are mandatory for the modern tourism industry. This includes transport, accommodation, beaches, and entertainment facilities.

In addition to beach holidays, tourists also enjoy trekking tours in the mountainous regions of the island. The flora and fauna of Cuba are not very rich, but there is something to see for wildlife lovers. Predominantly tropical forests cover about 10% of the island's territory in mountainous areas and marshy coastal areas. There are always a lot of birds, both sea and land, on the coast. The country currently has about 10 national parks and reserves, which are protected by law and recognized by UNESCO.

For lovers of attractions, the island of Cuba has quite a lot of sites that are worth visiting. These are old fortifications from the time of Spanish rule, and old Catholic cathedrals of the same period, and the unique architecture of Havana and other cities of the island. Now in Cuba, several large museums of the historical development of the island are open and functioning, which are recommended by local guides for visiting first.

Cuba is an island state in the West Indies located in the western part of the Greater Antilles arc. The country is located just south of the Tropic of Cancer, on the border of the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. To the north of Cuba is the Strait of Florida (150 km to the United States), to the east is the Windward Strait (77 km to Haiti), to the northwest is the Yucatan Strait (200 km to Mexico), and 140 km to the south is Jamaica.

Cuba's territory includes approximately 1,600 islands and reef banks with a total area of 110,860 square meters. km. Most of Cuba is located on the island of the same name, which is the largest island in the entire West Indies and has an area of 105,006 square meters. km. The island stretches for 1250 km from northwest to southeast, its width varies from 31 to 191 km. The second largest island is called Juventud (formerly Pinos) and has an area of 2200 square meters. km. The nature of Cuba varies depending on the regions of the island. The western region is distinguished by its mosaic geological structure and topography, with the greatest manifestation of tropical karst. It has large groundwater resources. Natural landscapes have been almost completely replaced by agricultural land and urban development.

The central-eastern region is the most flat. The forests have been completely cleared and replaced by sugar cane plantations, and on the higher elevations there are pastures.

Southern region (Juventud Island). Above the surface there are small outlier hills. The south is heavily karst, with many swamps. There is no surface runoff. Forests have been significantly reduced, and vast areas are occupied by citrus plantations and pastures.

Terrain and coastline of Cuba

A significant part of Cuba is occupied by low-lying, slightly hilly plains; mountain ranges and hills, lower in the west and higher in the east, stretch along the coasts.

In the far west, on the Guanaacabibes Peninsula, a limestone surface with a peculiar karst topography stretches along the coast. West of Havana stretches the narrow ridge of the Sierra de los Organos with a height of 150 to 750 meters. Isolated limestone hills, shaped like haystacks, rise above picturesque valleys. The Viñales Valley is particularly beautiful, surrounded by dome-shaped hills with steep slopes up to 300–400 meters high, with numerous caves. The highest point of the western part of the island is Pan de Matanzas - 594 meters. In the central part of the island there are high mountain chains of the Sierra de Trinidad (peak of San Juan - 1156 meters), Sierra Camarioca, Sierra Carcamezas.

The highest mountain ranges are located in the southeast of the island. The Sierra Maestra range stretches along the southern coast for more than 200 kilometers. Its southern slope is formed by a huge fault and rises almost vertically above the sea. The highest point in Cuba is also located there - Pico Turquino, whose height is 1972 meters. The northern slopes of the ridge are gentle and cut through by wide river valleys. To the east is the compact Sagua Baracoa mountain range, separated from the Sierra Maestra by the Cauto River valley and the Guantanamo lowland. The heights of this massif reach 1000–1200 meters (Sierra de Nips - 995 m; Sierra del Cristal - 1231 m; Cuchillas de Moa - 1139 m; Cuchillas de Toa - 1011 m; Sierra del Purial – 1181 m). It is poorly dissected and in the central parts is difficult to access.

Another group of mountain ranges (Sierra de Trinidad, Escambran Mountains, Sierra de Mataambra) rises in the central part of the island. They are composed of crystalline rocks and limestones and reach heights of 1000–1100 m. There are karst caves on the slopes. The rivers that dissect these massifs in some places flow in underground channels, crossing limestone ledges and cascading down in waterfalls.

In the northwest, almost parallel to the northern coast, stretches a chain of low mountain ranges (Sierra de los Orgapos, Sierra del Rosario). Their rounded peaks rise to a height of 400–700 meters. There are many karst caves, underground rivers in the mountains, and huge areas are occupied by fields. The most characteristic forms are “mogotes” - limestone outcrops that, alone or in groups, rise above the flat valley bottoms. The plains, which occupy 3/4 of the area of the island of Cuba, mostly have an undulating surface. In places where bedrock is exposed, low hills and ridges rise above the plain.

In addition to mountain ranges and terraced hills, Cuba's landscapes are replete with picturesque karst forms and valleys. In one of these valleys in the north of the island - Yumuri - a nature reserve has been created. The valley's attractions include tropical landscapes and caves, including the Bellamar system, famous for its crystalline formations. The Yumuri River flows through a depression of almost regular round shape with a flat bottom about 8 kilometers in diameter and steep slopes about 150 meters high.

The suture between the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates runs through the 7,200-meter-deep Cayman Trench, located between Jamaica and Cuba, making Cuba highly seismic. Over the past 300 years, earthquakes have been observed in the southeastern (Santiago) and northwestern (Havana, San Cristoval, Pinar del Rio, Guana) regions of the island.

Climate of Cuba

The average annual temperature is 25°C. The average temperature in January is 22.5°C, in August – 27.8°C. The minimum temperature is 5°C, the maximum reaches 40°C. At times, cold air masses invade the northeastern regions of Cuba from the north, lowering the temperature to almost 0°C.

Water resources of Cuba

The rivers in Cuba are short and shallow. Of all 600 rivers and streams, 2/5 flow north, the rest south, into the Caribbean Sea. Among the numerous coastal swamps, the Zapata swamp has the largest area. The total volume of renewable water resources is 38.1 cubic meters. km.

The largest river, the Cauto, is located in the eastern part of the island of Cuba and has a length of 370 km. The Almendares River flows in the western part. The rivers are fed primarily by rain; 80% of the flow occurs in the rainy autumn season. The Cauto and its tributaries, especially the Salado, flow through the provinces of Holguin and Las Tunas. Other rivers in the eastern region include the Guantanamo, Sagua de Tanamo, Toa and Mayari. To the west lie the rivers Seville, Najasa, San Pedro, Hatibonico del Sur, Sasa, Agabama, Arimao, Hondo and Cuyaguateje (flowing north), as well as Saramaguacan, Caonao, Sagua la Grande and La Palma (flowing South).

The lakes in Cuba are small in size and can mostly be characterized as freshwater and saltwater lagoons. Off the northern coast of the island of Cuba, in the central part, is the Laguna de Leche, whose waters become like milk when streams from the sea lift chalk deposits from its bottom. Of the reservoirs, the largest is Sasa. Large groundwater resources exist in the western part of the island of Cuba.

Soils and vegetation of Cuba

Among the 13 groups of soils found in Cuba, approximately 80% are developed on products of weathering limestone. These rich red soils are fertile and are cultivated year-round for tropical plantation crops, mainly sugarcane.

The main fertile areas of Cuba are located along the southern coast from Havana to Cienfuegos, in the west of the province of Camagüey, as well as between the Sierra de Sancti Spiritus mountains and the Caribbean coast. Areas of sandy soils are located in Pinar del Rio, Villa Clara and in some places in the provinces of Ciego de Avila and Camagüey. The area of irrigated land is 8700 square meters. km (2003).

Ginger lily (Hedychium coronarium) in the Sierra de Escambray. More than 3,000 species of tropical fruit plants and flowers grow in Cuba, and over 50% of the Cuban flora is endemic. Since the beginning of the colonization of America, the forest area in Cuba has decreased significantly. Before the arrival of Europeans, forests covered half of the island, then this figure dropped to 10%, forests remained only in mountainous and swampy areas. When the plains were cleared, only the royal palm remained untouched, the image of which is on the country’s coat of arms. However, since the 1960s, government efforts have replanted many areas, and forests now cover a quarter of the country.

Tropical forests of a wide variety of deciduous and evergreen plant species, including mahogany, guaiac wood, logwood and cedrela, grow on the red and red-brown soils of the plains and low slopes. In the drier, rocky areas of the western province of Pinar del Rio and the eastern part of the island of Cuba, as well as on the island of Juventud, pine forests grow. The very rare Microcycas calocoma palm, believed to have existed for over 100 million years, is native to the province of Pinar del Rio. There are savannas occupied by grass-type vegetation, as well as areas with small-leaved shrubs with a small proportion of cacti and agaves. Mangroves are found in low-lying coastal areas. The national flower of Cuba, the ginger lily (Hedychium coronarium), grows over 1.5 m and blooms with white, butterfly-like flowers.

Wildlife of Cuba

Mammals are represented by the Cuban snaptooth (now almost exterminated), Hutia rodents, and there are 23 species of bats. Deer have been introduced as game game. Cuba is home to 300 species of birds, including migratory ones. Local species include flamingos, blackbirds, nightingales, hummingbirds, macaws, and small vultures. The endemic Cuban trogon, which looks similar to the quetzal, has become the national bird of Cuba because it matches the colors of the country's flag. Reptiles include alligators, iguanas and other lizards, land turtles, turtles and hawksbill turtles, crocodiles, the Cuban smooth-lipped boa constrictor and other non-venomous snakes. Amphibians include 60 types of frogs and toads, including the Cuban tree frog and bullfrog.

Insects are represented by 7 thousand species, including termites and kokuyo fireflies. Fish are represented by 500 species, including several species of sharks. The American manatee lives along the coast and in rivers. The lakes of karst caves are home to blind fish and shrimp. Crustaceans include land crabs and hermit crabs.