40 Plus Weird Cuban Facts That Few People Are Aware Of
Even though Cuba is a communist country, it has been working to improve its diplomatic ties with the United States. Its official name in Spanish is the Republica de Cuba. We can only hope that all Americans will be able to go to Cuba without any restrictions in a very short time. Cuba is one of the most exciting places in the world because it is a mix of so many different cultures and times in history. Here are some strange facts about the country that you probably haven’t heard before.
Its Common Practice To Hitchhike
In Cuba, government cars are obligated to pick up hitchhikers if there is room for more passengers in the vehicle. Hitchhiking is encouraged in this nation since there are so few vehicles, and those who want to do so must wait in authorized places. Drivers pick up riders in the order in which they arrive, first come, first served. Approaching strangers and requesting rides in their cars or other vehicles is an example of the mode of transportation known as hitchhiking. After the fall of the Soviet Union, hitchhiking became an essential means of transportation.
Ballet’s Popular
Salsa, son, and rumba have traditionally been the three most prominent forms of dance in Cuba’s vibrant nightlife scene. On the other hand, people who are in the know claim that the island in the Caribbean is one of the primary stages where the greatest ballet in the world is performed.
Ballets Popular
After the great dancer Alicia Alonso established the Ballet Nacional de Cuba in 1948, the art form flourished in this country. The Ballet Nacional de Cuba is currently recognized as one of the most prominent dance companies in the world. After Alonso offered her support to Fidel Castro and his revolutionary movement in 1959, the corporation was able to overcome some early challenges thanks to the significant help it got from Fidel Castro and his organization.
Not Internet Friendly
Since the list’s debut in 2006, Reporters Without Borders has included Cuba as an “Internet Enemy.” The Cuban government completely blocks access to a number of websites. While limiting access to certain websites is conceivable, it is not very prevalent.
Not Internet Friendly
In the past few years, there have been less restrictions on what can be seen online. In 2007, the law said that anyone could buy a computer. Digital media are increasingly important in getting information about what’s going on in Cuba to the rest of the world. This is starting to help a lot.
Limits On Traveling
The fear of communism in our country has caused the United States government to impose travel restrictions on Cuba ever since Fidel Castro came to power in 1960. Even now, these rules about travel are still in place.
Limits On Traveling
At first, people who were licensed by the Treasury Department, such as journalists, academics, government officials, and people with direct family members living on the island, were not allowed to take part in sanctioned travel. In 2011, these rules were changed so that any American could go to Cuba as long as they were part of a cultural exchange program called “people-to-people.”
It Is Against The Law To Take Pictures Of People Who Are In The Military
It is against the law to take pictures of military, police, or airport workers in Cuba. Do not act hastily in front of police if you want to avoid uncomfortable questions or the feeling that you are being watched.
It Is Against The Law To Take Pictures Of People Who Are In The Military
You can take pictures of almost anything in Cuba except for government buildings and people in the military. Cubans are excited about the possibility of being in some of your most famous pictures.
It Is Illegal To Cross-Dress
Cross-dressing is against the law in Cuba, but for some reason, that makes it even more interesting. People who cross-dress often do it in secret because they are afraid of getting caught and getting in trouble with the law, which could lead to jail time.
It Is Illegal To Cross Dress
But in the last few decades, cross-dressing competitors might show up at the Gunilla Event in front of a large crowd of spectators and visitors.
Cuban Gar: The Manjuari Fish
The Cuban gar (Atractosteus tristoechus), a member of the Lepisosteidae family of fish, can only be found in Cuba. It is a species that lives in fresh water in the tropics, but it has also been found in salt water. It is also called the manjuar, and you can find it in the rivers and lakes of western Cuba and on the Isla de la Juventud.
Cuban Gar The Manjuari Fish
People can eat the fish’s meat, but they should never eat the fish’s eggs. Floodplains of large rivers are the breeding grounds for Cuban gar at certain times of the year. The fish can be eaten, but animals and birds should not eat the eggs because they are poisonous. A common mistake is to think that gar is not a healthy fish to eat.
The Naval Station At Guantanamo Bay Cuba Rent
In 1903, the US rented an area of 45 square miles for its naval station. Guantanamo Bay is rented by the United States from Cuba at a rate of $4,085 a month; however, these checks have not been cashed since 1959. Fidel Castro made it clear that this was the case when he refused to pay the checks to the “illegal” occupiers, which showed that he didn’t agree with them.
The Naval Station At Guantanamo Bay Cuba Rent
In a TV interview from many years ago, he said that the checks were hidden in a desk drawer in his office. The United States kept 46.8 square miles (121 square kilometers) of land near the mouth of Guantanamo Bay in eastern Cuba so they could build a naval station there.
The Place Where Bee and Hummingbirds Are Usually Seen
Are you interested in seeing the world’s smallest bird? After that, you will have to go to Cuba. If you go to the island, your best chance of finding the small wonder is to go to the edge of a bromeliad- and vine-covered forest. You’ll find it there.
The Place Where Bee And Hummingbirds Are Usually Seen
The Bee Hummingbird may fly around and hover near flowers in all directions. The Bee Hummingbird, which is only found in Cuba, is very small, even compared to other types of hummingbirds. From one end to the other, it is only two and a quarter inches long.
Festivities For The New Year
Many Cubans clean their homes thoroughly on the last day of the year and save the dirty mop water until the clock strikes midnight. At that time, they pour the dirty water into the street as a way to wash away the bad things that happened in the past year and start the New Year with clean, positive energy.
Festivities For The New Year
People in some places, especially rural ones, have been known to set life-size rag dolls on fire. This doll is meant to remind people of a terrible thing that happened the year before. People gather around the doll at the stroke of midnight and set it on fire, using it as a puppet, in the hope that it will bring them luck in the coming year.
El Cocodrilo
Cuba is sometimes called “El Cocodrilo” (The Alligator) because it looks like an alligator from above. The word “Cuba” comes from the native language of Tano, which is spoken on the island. This place’s name comes from either the word Cubao, which means a lot of green lands or the word cabana, which means a beautiful place.
El Cocodrilo
El Caiman is another name for the country that comes from the shape of the island of Cuba. In the 1600s, this name was given to the island of Cuba.
Monopoly Was A Popular Game In Cuba
Even though the game was popular in Cuba, Fidel Castro was able to get it taken away. He gave the order to throw away each and every set. If you have a Monopoly set at home in this socialist country, you might get into more trouble than just a heated argument with your family.
Monopoly Was A Popular Game In Cuba
At the start of his dictatorship, Fidel Castro told everyone to destroy everything. Before the revolution in 1959, many Cubans liked to play Monopoly. Also, local printers made a fake version of the game called Capitolio, which was a clear violation of Parker Brothers’ copyright.
The Desire To Watch South Korean Soap Operas On TV
They seem to like how exciting everything is. South Korean soap operas have found an audience in Cuba that they didn’t expect.
The Desire To Watch South Korean Soap Operas On TV
Korean soap operas have a bigger fan base than more traditional Latin American “telenovelas” from Brazil and Mexico because they mix humor, action, and romance in a low-key way. Michael Voss, a reporter for CCTV America, went all the way to Havana to cover this story.
Cubans Began Using Computers In 2008
During the 1990s, it became illegal to buy many kinds of electrical goods. This happened when the Soviet Union broke up, which caused Cuba to lose a lot of money in the form of subsidies and gasoline supplies.
Cubans Began Using Computers In 2008
In Cuba, only foreigners and companies can buy computers, and tape decks were taken away at the airport until 2008 when rules about border control were relaxed. Now Cubans will be able to easily get them, but they will have to pay for them in foreign currency, either CUCs or redeemable pesos, which are 24 times more valuable than the Cuban pesos used to pay state wages.
Transgender Rights
They are also safeguarded by the health care system that is managed by the government. After the Cuban government lifted a rule that had been in place for many years, state-sponsored sex exchanges started up again in 2007.
Transgender Rights
Mariela Castro is both a sexologist and an LGBT rights activist. She is in charge of the Center for Sex Education, which gives trans people the training they need for sex-change procedures and gives Cubans who are ready a stamp of approval. In 1979, 122 people in Cuba were said to have wanted to change their sexuality. Nine years later, the first successful surgery was done. On the other hand, Cuba did not allow any more sex exchanges to happen.
Cuba Once Banned John Lennon
Twenty years after John Lennon died, Castro completely changed his mind. He no longer made it illegal to play his music and instead made him a national hero. Castro just put up a shiny new bronze statue of John Lennon in the park that bears his name.
Cuba Once Banned John Lennon
In the 1960s and 1970s, John Lennon and the Beatles’ music was banned in Communist Cuba. This shouldn’t have been a surprise. During the Cuban Revolution, the music was seen as “ideological distraction” and “decadent American influence” by the government. The jumping Cuban crocodile is a species that can only be found in Cuba. It’s a terrifying species that is about to go extinct.
The Failed Attempt To Take Over
The United States of America has said more than once that they want to invade Cuba. In the year 1848, they decided to give up and offered Spain $100 million in exchange for Cuba. However, Spain did not accept their offer.
The Failed Attempt To Take Over
In the 1850s, the United States tried to expand into the Caribbean, and this event was the end of that process. The U.S. Ambassador to Spain, Pierre Soulé, couldn’t get his Spanish counterparts to agree to buy Cuba (1853).
Beaches And Bay
There are more than 200 bays and 250 beaches to check out in Cuba, so there are plenty of chances to get some sun. Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean, and it has a lot of beautiful beaches, from places where families can snorkel to beaches with beautiful black sand. Some of these beaches even have rock formations that were made by volcanoes.
Beaches And Bay
Cuba is an exciting mix of natural beauty, modern art, historic buildings that have been beautifully restored, and rhythms from the tropics. Finding the best beach in Cuba is a very personal task since the country has about 3,500 miles of coastline and 450 beaches to choose from. These beaches have different kinds and colors of sand, such as powdery white, golden, and even black sand.
The Holiday Season In Cuba
Over time, Christmas has become more and more important politically in Cuba. Before Fidel Castro took power in 1959, Christmas was celebrated in Cuba the same way it was in the United States and many other countries. Fidel Castro made it against the law for Cubans to celebrate Christmas in any way in 1969.
The Holiday Season In Cuba
The ban on Christmas was put in place to keep people working in the sugar cane fields so that each year’s sugar crop would be bigger. Since the government in Cuba doesn’t believe in God, Christmas is against the law there. On the other hand, Fidel Castro announced in 1997 that Cuba would only celebrate Christmas that one year.
People In Cuba Are Literate
Literacy rates in Cuba are among the highest in the world, with 99% of the population being able to read and write.
People In Cuba Are Literate
Under Fidel Castro, the Cuban government declared 1961 the “Year of Education” and sent “literacy brigades” into rural areas to build schools, train new teachers, and teach most of the peasants who couldn’t read or write how to do so. UNESCO said that almost everyone in Cuba over the age of 15 could read and write.
Two Distinct Forms Of Currency
Cuba uses two different kinds of currencies(the only country in the world with that attribute). Tourists use the first one, while Cubans use the other. Up until January 1, 2021, the name “peso” was used for two different currencies.
Two Distinct Forms Of Currency
The “Cuban convertible peso” and the “Cuban peso” are both names for the same currency. On the other hand, neither currency is used anywhere else in the world, and you can’t buy them ahead of time anywhere but in Cuba. Cuban cash can’t be brought into or out of the country because of strict rules.
Putting A Stop To The Import Of Automobiles
Before 2011, Cuba made it very hard to bring cars into the country. Because of this, most of the cars on the road were old ones from the 1950s. On the streets of Cuba, you can still find old American cars from the 1940s and 1950s. Some of the most interesting cars in the world are in Cuba.
Putting A Stop To The Import Of Automobiles
The streets are filled with old American cars in pink, red, and blue, among other bright colors. A number of old cars from the United States are used as taxis in Cuba. “Boteros” are the people who drive old cars called “almendrones,” which means “big almonds” (boatmen).
The Caribbean’s Largest Island
The islands of the Caribbean Sea make up the country of Cuba. It has the most people living on it and the most land area of any island in the Caribbean. Cuba is also the 17th largest island in the world and the 8th largest island country. Cuba has a coastline of 5,746 kilometers and land borders that are 28.5 kilometers long.
The Caribbeans Largest Island
The official land area is 109,884 kilometers squared (42,426 sq mi). Cuba is east of the Gulf of Mexico, west of the North Atlantic Ocean, south of the Florida Straits, north-northwest of the Windward Passage, and northeast of the Yucatán Channel.
Christopher Columbus’s Discovery
Before Christopher Columbus came to the island in 1492, many different Amerindian cultures lived there. After he joined a Spanish expedition to Cuba, Spain was able to take control of the island and put Spanish officials in charge in Havana.
Christopher Columbuss Discovery
When Cuba was part of Hispaniola, which is now the Dominican Republic, it was run by the Viceroy of New Spain and the local government in what is now the Dominican Republic.
Slavery Ended Completely In 1886
Cuba finally put an end to its own slave trade in 1867, long after the slave trade in other parts of the Atlantic had ended. Up until the year 1880, it was legal to own people as chattel slaves.
Slavery Ended Completely In 1886
As a social institution, slavery couldn’t be done away with until chattel slavery was done away with first. Cuba was one of the few places in the Western Hemisphere that got rid of slavery for good. This happened in 1886 after a royal order from Spain.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The places that are on the UNESCO World Heritage List are just as diverse in terms of nature and culture as the rest of the country. Nine of its sites are on the World Heritage List, which shouldn’t be a surprise.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
For a place to be considered for the list of World Heritage Sites, it must “be of outstanding universal value and have international significance.” It must also “go beyond national borders and be of interest to all people, both now and in the future,” as well as “have international significance.” Cuba has done a good job keeping its history, culture, and general feel over the years. A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a piece of history that can be found in Old Havana.
Home Of The World’s Tiniest Frog
Cuba is home to the world’s smallest frog. According to scientific research, the world’s smallest frog can make up for its small size by poisoning its prey in a very deadly way.
Home Of The Worlds Tiniest Frog
The Mt. Iberia frog (Eleutherodactylus Iberia), which lives in Cuba, has a body length of only 10 millimeters and holds the Guinness World Record for the smallest frog. Researchers think that these dwarf frogs got small so they could eat mites that bigger frogs would miss. Dwarf frogs have chemicals that are found in nature coming out of their shells.
The Poor Condition Of Cuba’s Roads
The poor condition of Cuba’s roads Driving in Cuba can be hard, especially at night or early in the morning. There is a chance that the lights on major roads won’t work and that the road markings won’t be clear or won’t be there at all.
The Poor Condition Of Cubas Roads
Due to years of corruption, Cuba’s roads are in bad shape, people drive badly, and car technology is broken. This has led to more traffic accidents, which hurt an average of 29 people per day in the first half of 2019.
Cuban Dominoes
Dominoes are thought to be the national sport and game of Cuba. For many people, doing the activity regularly gives them the chance to compete with others in a healthy way while also building a strong sense of community. Locals often play sports in gardens and other public places.
Cuban Dominoes
This tradition is kept alive in the United States at Maximo Gomez Domino Park on Calle Ocho in Miami. “Los Veteranos,” or older Cuban men, keep a number of workstations going at all times. Many of them smoke cigars and wear the traditional guayabera top. These people are known as “Los Veteranos” as a group.
The Cuban Coastline
The rough and beautiful coastline of Cuba is about 3,570 miles long and has many bays, beautiful beaches, aquatic plants, marine ecosystems, and steep cliffs (5,745 kilometers). In the middle of the mountain range, there are some beautiful cracks, like the Cave of Santo Tomás, which is in the Sierra Quemado in the southwestern part of Cuba.
The Cuban Coastline
The main island is surrounded by an underwater platform that adds another 30,000 square kilometers of land (78,000 square km). Canarreos is one of the cays and groups of islands that surround the outer islands. Los Colorados, to the north and west; Sabana and Camagüey, all off the northern coast; the Jardines de la Reina, or “Queen’s Gardens,” along the central coast; and the Jardines de la Reina, or “Queen’s Gardens,” along the eastern coast.
The Communist Party Of Cuba
Since 1965, Cuba has been under the dictatorship of the Communist Party, which is also the only legal Democratic Party in the nation. The Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), often referred to as the Partido Comunista de Cuba (PCC), is a communist party founded in Cuba in 1965 by Fidel Castro and many other individuals. However, the party’s history may be traced back to 1923.
The Communist Party Of Cuba
It had been the sole party that had been granted permission to function in Cuba under the law passed in 1976, and the modification passed in 1992 referred to it as the “controlled protector of the Cuban government.”
Baseball Is Cuba’s Most Popular Sporting Activity
The most prominent competition in Cuba may be found in the sport of baseball. Other sporting competitions and recreational activities often include volleyball, wrestling, basketball, sailing, and hiking. Cuban boxing training has been shown to substantially impact the outcome of major contests.
Baseball Is Cubas Most Popular Sporting Activity
Before the entry of the United States into the conflict in the 1870s, it was the most popular game in the nation. Even after having originated in the United States, baseball has a strong connection to Cuban nationalism since it took the role of Spanish colonial sports such as bullfighting.
The Cauto River
The Cauto River is the longest river in the Granma and Santiago de Cuba districts, which are located in the eastern part of Cuba. The area’s longest river begins its journey on the west coast of the Sierra Maestra and flows across basaltic plains until emptying into the Golfo (gulf) de Guacanayabo. This makes it the longest river in the region.
The Cauto River
There are many rivers that contribute to its headwaters, including the Salado, Bayamo, and Contramaestre. It is possible to cruise for around 110 kilometers with it. Rice, sugar beets, tobacco, and cattle are among the crops that are grown along its path.
Voting In Cuba Is Required By Law In Every Election
Suppose a voter is above the age of 16 and not physically sick or jailed. In that case, they are qualified to vote in all levels of government elections, including municipal, state, and parliamentary elections.
Voting In Cuba Is Required By Law In Every Election
Cuba does not hold national elections at this time. It is also difficult to determine the extent to which voter fraud is a serious concern in today’s voting systems. The Legislative Council, which is a recognized institution, is the body responsible for selecting the President.
Pico Turquino
Pico Turquino is Cuba’s highest peak. In the Sierra Maestra rock formation, located in the municipality of Guamá, in the Santiago de Cuba Province in the island’s southeast corner. In 1957, Fidel Castro led an uprising that allowed him and his forces to reach the top of the mountain.
Pico Turquino
Due to the fact that it was Cuba’s highest mountain, the rebels believed that the summit had an “almost supernatural connotation.” The Pico Turquino National Park is home to Cuba’s highest point, which is also the park’s namesake. This secluded and densely forested region may be reached by a direct connection to the teeny-tiny settlement of Santo Domingo.
Ernest Hemingway Having Lived Here For The Past Two Decades
American novelist, short story writer, journalist, and sportsman Ernest Hemingway was born in the United States. He was also a sportsman. His frugal and subdued style, which he named the “iceberg hypothesis” to describe, had a considerable impact on the literature of the twentieth century.
Ernest Hemingway Having Lived Here For The Past Two Decades
At the same time, the respect of following generations was garnered from him as a result of his varied and interesting lifestyle as well as his public image. To put it another way, the well-known American novelist lived in Cuba for the better part of twenty years despite the travel restriction.
Bacardi Rum
The origin of Bacardi rum may be traced back to Cuba, where it was initially distilled. Following Fidel Castro’s rise to power, the operation was moved to Puerto Rico, where it remains today. The Bacardi family is known for their unwavering support of the Cuban revolutionary movement.
Bacardi Rum
They eventually became supporters of Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution during the 1950s. At the beginning of his campaign, Fidel Castro did not identify himself as a communist and did not sell himself as one. Instead, he presented himself as a liberal reformer working to bring an end to the American empire’s economic grip over Cuba.
No Coca-Cola
Although Coca-Cola established a bottling facility in 1906, production was suspended in 1962 due to Fidel Castro’s leadership of the Cuban Revolution, which resulted in the removal of the previous President, Batista. The government of Fidel Castro began imposing a trade embargo about the same time it began taking assets held by foreign nations that had a presence in Cuba.
No Coca Cola
The confiscation of American property started on August 6, 1960, and its target was enterprises in the United States. Coca-Cola has vanished, never to be seen or heard from again. Due to the fact that the United States maintains a commercial, economic, and financial embargo on Cuba, no American firms can engage in commerce with Cuba.
Unusual Ways Of Being Impolite
You should be aware of one cultural peculiarity among Cubans, which is that they consider blowing one’s nose in public to be the epitome of rudeness. When you have a cold or allergies, it is advisable to excuse yourself and take care of business in private rather than in public.
Unusual Ways Of Being Impolite
It is possible to say the same thing about spitting in public, an act that the vast majority of civilized people hate but which is casually condoned in many locations.
The Libre Cocktail
This highball cocktail is traditionally prepared with cola, rum, and lime juice and is often served over ice. There are several different recipes for this drink. The cola component is normally made using Coca-Cola, while the alcohol component is often made with a light rum like Bacardi.
The Libre Cocktail
The cocktail may be prepared with a selection of different brands of rum and cola, and lime juice can be used or omitted as desired. After Cuba gained its independence from Spain during the Spanish–American War, some time in the early 20th century saw the invention of the cocktail on the island nation. A straightforward preparation method, in addition to low-cost and easily accessible component parts, contributes to the widespread appeal of this alcoholic drink.
About The World-Famous Beard Of Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro, the leader of the Cuban Revolution and the dictator of Cuba from 1959 to 2006, controlled his nation for the whole of that period. Because of the embargo imposed by the United States, he was unable to get any new razors, so he resorted to growing a beard instead. As a symbol of the revolution’s success, Castro kept his beard long after retiring from the guerrilla movement.
About The World Famous Beard Of Fidel Castro
His beard had become such a potent symbol that the CIA concocted a plan to make it fall out, but they never went through with it. The plan included inserting a soluble depilatory in Castro’s shoes that could be readily absorbed into the skin. However, this plan was never put into action.
Why Cigars From Cuba Are Different From Others
Cigars made in Cuba are often considered the most widely available tobacco anywhere in the world. It is possible to shell out thousands of dollars for a shipment of high-quality Habanos cigars. About five hundred different manual processes are required to get a single Cuban cigar from its seed to its finished form.
Why Cigars From Cuba Are Different From Others
President John F. Kennedy was able to get 1,200 Cuban cigars for himself just before the signing of the agreement. Pierre Salinger, who served as the press secretary for President John F. Kennedy, recalled the day when JFK requested “Only 1,000 Petit Upmanns” by the next day in a piece he wrote in 1992.
Operation Castration
The name of the CIA’s invasion of Cuba to murder Fidel Castro was “Operation Castration.” The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) hatched at least eight schemes to eliminate Castro from power or bring him into disrepute, one of which used an explosive seashell.
Operation Castration
Fidel Castro assumed control of Cuba in 1959. The strategy advocated for pointing the finger of blame at Cuba for terrorist acts that would be carried out by the United States government in order to rally public support for a war against Cuba.
One Premium Habano Company
Puros and Habanos are two words that are used to describe different types of cigars made in Cuba. One business is responsible for the production of all of the top brands in the nation.
One Premium Habano Company
There are two distinct varieties of premium cigars that both go by the name “Cohiba.” One variety is produced in Cuba for Habanos S.A., which is the state-owned tobacco company in Cuba. The other variety is produced in the Dominican Republic for General Cigar Company, which is based in the United States.
Crisis In Cuba Involving Missiles
Over 150 nuclear missiles were in Cuba’s possession at the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Missile Scare, commonly referred to as the Cuban Missile Crisis, was a standoff between the United States of America and the Soviet Union that lasted one month and escalated into a crisis on a global scale.
Crisis In Cuba Involving Missiles
Even though it only lasted a few days, the Cuban Missile Crisis is still seen as a turning point in American planning for public safety and nuclear war. Many people believe that this fight was the one that came the closest to escalating into a full-blown nuclear war throughout the whole time that the Cold War was going on.