20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered by the US from 1898 to 1902); not acknowledged by the Cuban Government as a day of independence
Religions
Muslim 100%
nominally 85% Roman Catholic prior to CASTRO assuming power; Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, and Santeria are also represented
Languages
Arabic (official and national), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French, Hassaniya
Spanish
Exports
iron ore, fish and fish products, gold, copper, petroleum
sugar, nickel, tobacco, fish, medical products, citrus, coffee
External Debt
$2,816,000,000 $
$21,520,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
ouguiyas (MRO) per US dollar - NA (2007), 271.3 (2006), 267.04 (2005), 265.8 (2004), 263.03 (2003)
Cuban pesos (CUP) per US dollar - 0.9259 (2008 est.), 0.9259 (2007), 0.9231 (2006) note: Cuba has two currencies in circulation: the Cuban peso (CUP) and the convertible peso (CUC); in April 2005 the official exchange rate changed from $1 per CUC to $1.08 per CUC (0.93 CUC per $1), both for individuals and enterprises; individuals can buy 24 Cuban pesos (CUP) for each CUC sold, or sell 25 Cuban pesos for each CUC bought; enterprises, however, must exchange CUP and CUC at a 1:1 ratio.
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
5.500%
3.800%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
0
24
Location
Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, Florida
Area
1,030,700 km sq
110,860 km sq
Coastline
754 km
3,735 km
Climate
desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October)
