CUBA

Information and maps from the Dorling Kindersley World Reference Atlas (?35, available from all good bookshops.

Official name: Republic of Cuba

Capital: Havana

Population: 10.8 million

Currency: Cuban peso

Official language: Spanish

Cuba is the Caribbean's largest island. Since the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union, the US has seen Cuba as less of a threat. This is in marked contrast to 1962 when the Soviet nuclear missiles on the island brought the two superpowers close to war. Cuba is still subject to US sanctions and is unable to afford oil imports. CLIMATE

Cuba's subtropical climate is hot all year round. In winter, the west is sometimes affected by cold air from the US, but only for a day or two at a time. COMMUNICATIONS

Fuel shortages have made public transport increasingly unreliable. Cubans rely mostly on traditional black bicycles, which are imported by the thousand from China. TOURISM

Cuba, once a playground for wealthy Americans, suffered reduced tourism after Castro took power in 1959. But more recently tourism has gained importance. PEOPLE

Population density: 97 people per square kilometre

Urban/rural population split: 75 per cent/25 per cent

Religious persuasion: 85 per cent Roman Catholics, 15 per cent other

Ethnic make-up: 51 per cent European African; 37 per cent White; 11 per cent Black, 1 per cent Chinese About 70 per cent of Cubans are of Spanish descent. The black population is descended from the slaves and migrants from Cuba's neighbouring states. Living standards have fallen dramatically since the collapse of the East European communist bloc, previously its main trading partner. POLITICS

Fidel Castro has led Cuba since 1959. He was the founder of the one-party communist system, formalised in the 1976 constitution. He has stated his wish. to retire from the Council of State when his current term ends in 1998. Leadership contenders include his brother Raul, current defence minister, Roberto Robaina, the foreign minister, and economic guru, Carlos Lage. As the US has tightened economic sanctions, so Castro has increased his powers. WORLD AFFAIRS

Since the 1962 stand-off, when Cuba accepted Russian missiles targeted at US cities, Cuba has been considered a danger by the US and has been subject to diplomatic isolation from countries which support US policies in the Caribbean. The end of aid from Moscow after 1991 made conditions in Cuba increasingly difficult. The US increased pressure by tightening the rules of the trade embargo. AID

Cuba claims to receive no aid, but Spain is a donor country. DEFENCE

From 1959 to the 1980s, Cuba's efficient military was one of the achievements of the revolution. It succeeded in repelling the US-sponsored Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, and prevented South Africa from taking control of Angola and Somalia from occupying the Ogaden region, in the 1970s. Today, it has lost much of its prestige. ECONOMICS

GNP: $20.9 billion

World GNP ranking: 64th

GNP per capita: $1,935

Balance of payments: in deficit

Strengths: It is the world's fifth largest producer of sugar. Other important industries are nickel, citrus fruits, tobacco and tourism.

Weaknesses: US trade embargo robs Cuba of a major market and investment capital. Non-convertible currency is an increasing liability as Russia demands payment for oil in dollars. Loss of ex-communist states as trading partners. RESOURCES

Electricity generation: 13.2 billion kwh. 99.1 per cent is thermal power

Oil production: 15,000 barrels a day

Livestock: 4.9 million cattle, 1.9 million pigs, 630,000 horses

Main mineral resources: iron, nickel, cobalt, chromite, gold, manganese, oil Cuba has the world's fourth largest nickel deposits although lack of investment capital means that they are underexploited and inefficiently worked. ENVIRONMENT

Before the revolution, only 14 per cent of its forest cover remained, but a strong drive to replant has raised the tree cover level to 18 per cent. There is concern about a nuclear reactor under construction at Juragua. MEDIA

The Cuban media is state controlled. CRIME

Cuba has a low crime rate. Political dissent is not tolerated and human rights abuses by the military and police are frequently reported. EDUCATION

Literacy rate: 94 per cent Education in Cuba combines academic with manual work, in line with Marxist-Leninist principles. The high priority given to education under Castro, which is reflected in the high literacy rate, is now being promoted to attract foreign investment in high-tech industries, particularly biotechnology. HEALTH

Doctor/population ratio: 1 per 333 people An efficient health service although the US blockade has led to shortages of hospital equipment and raw materials for drugs. Its advanced eye surgery techniques attract patients from overseas. WEALTH

A purge of old party hands on the grounds of corruption in 1985 revealed the relatively high standard of living enjoyed by a few government officials. Generally, however, wealth is fairly evenly distributed.

WORLD RANKING

Position in World (192 countries)

Legend for Chart:

A - Life expectancy B - Infant mortality C - GNP per capita D - Daily calorie intake E - Literacy F - Schooling index G - Educational rank H - Human dev. index

A B C D E F G H

1st -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 50th 33 40 -- -- -- -- -- -- 10th -- -- 82 73 73 96 62 72 150th -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 192nd -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --