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cuba

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cuba


  3  definitions  found 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  Cuba 
  n  1:  a  country  on  the  island  of  Cuba  [syn:  {Cuba}] 
  2:  the  largest  island  in  the  West  Indies  [syn:  {Cuba}] 
 
  From  U.S.  Gazetteer  (1990)  [gazetteer]: 
 
  Cuba,  AL  (town,  FIPS  18952) 
  Location:  32.44060  N,  88.37426  W 
  Population  (1990):  390  (184  housing  units) 
  Area:  10.5  sq  km  (land),  0.0  sq  km  (water) 
  Zip  code(s):  36907 
  Cuba,  IL  (city,  FIPS  17991) 
  Location:  40.49338  N,  90.19319  W 
  Population  (1990):  1440  (614  housing  units) 
  Area:  1.4  sq  km  (land),  0.0  sq  km  (water) 
  Zip  code(s):  61427 
  Cuba,  KS  (city,  FIPS  16625) 
  Location:  39.80222  N,  97.45681  W 
  Population  (1990):  242  (149  housing  units) 
  Area:  0.8  sq  km  (land),  0.0  sq  km  (water) 
  Zip  code(s):  66940 
  Cuba,  MO  (city,  FIPS  17668) 
  Location:  38.06297  N,  91.39988  W 
  Population  (1990):  2537  (1133  housing  units) 
  Area:  5.8  sq  km  (land),  0.0  sq  km  (water) 
  Zip  code(s):  65453 
  Cuba,  NM  (village,  FIPS  19150) 
  Location:  36.02248  N,  106.95425  W 
  Population  (1990):  760  (329  housing  units) 
  Area:  3.3  sq  km  (land),  0.0  sq  km  (water) 
  Zip  code(s):  87013 
  Cuba,  NY  (village,  FIPS  19356) 
  Location:  42.21856  N,  78.27634  W 
  Population  (1990):  1690  (726  housing  units) 
  Area:  3.7  sq  km  (land),  0.0  sq  km  (water) 
  Zip  code(s):  14727 
 
  From  The  CIA  World  Factbook  (1995)  [world95]: 
 
  Cuba 
 
  Cuba:Geography 
 
  Location:  Caribbean,  island  between  the  Caribbean  Sea  and  the  North 
  Atlantic  Ocean,  south  of  Florida 
 
  Map  references:  Central  America  and  the  Caribbean 
 
  Area: 
  total  area:  110,860  sq  km 
  land  area:  110,860  sq  km 
  comparative  area:  slightly  smaller  than  Pennsylvania 
 
  Land  boundaries:  total  29  km  US  Naval  Base  at  Guantanamo  Bay  29  km 
  note:  Guantanamo  Naval  Base  is  leased  by  the  US  and  thus  remains  part 
  of  Cuba 
 
  Coastline:  3,735  km 
 
  Maritime  claims: 
  exclusive  economic  zone:  200  nm 
  territorial  sea:  12  nm 
 
  International  disputes:  US  Naval  Base  at  Guantanamo  Bay  is  leased  to 
  US  and  only  mutual  agreement  or  US  abandonment  of  the  area  can 
  terminate  the  lease 
 
  Climate:  tropical;  moderated  by  trade  winds;  dry  season  (November  to 
  April);  rainy  season  (May  to  October) 
 
  Terrain:  mostly  flat  to  rolling  plains  with  rugged  hills  and  mountains 
  in  the  southeast 
 
  Natural  resources:  cobalt,  nickel,  iron  ore,  copper,  manganese,  salt, 
  timber,  silica,  petroleum 
 
  Land  use: 
  arable  land:  23% 
  permanent  crops:  6% 
  meadows  and  pastures:  23% 
  forest  and  woodland:  17% 
  other:  31% 
 
  Irrigated  land:  8,960  sq  km  (1989) 
 
  Environment: 
  current  issues:  pollution  of  Havana  Bay;  overhunting  threatens 
  wildlife  populations;  deforestation 
  natural  hazards:  the  east  coast  is  subject  to  hurricanes  from  August 
  to  October  (in  general,  the  country  averages  about  one  hurricane  every 
  other  year);  droughts  are  common 
  international  agreements:  party  to  -  Antarctic  Treaty,  Biodiversity, 
  Climate  Change,  Endangered  Species,  Environmental  Modification, 
  Hazardous  Wastes,  Law  of  the  Sea,  Marine  Dumping,  Ozone  Layer 
  Protection,  Ship  Pollution;  signed,  but  not  ratified  - 
  Antarctic-Environmental  Protocol,  Desertification  Marine  Life 
  Conservation 
 
  Note:  largest  country  in  Caribbean 
 
  Cuba:People 
 
  Population:  10,937,635  (July  1995  est.) 
 
  Age  structure: 
  0-14  years:  22%  (female  1,191,320;  male  1,256,928) 
  15-64  years:  68%  (female  3,732,434;  male  3,751,464) 
  65  years  and  over:  10%  (female  528,104;  male  477,385)  (July  1995  est.) 
 
  Population  growth  rate:  0.65%  (1995  est.) 
 
  Birth  rate:  14.54  births/1,000  population  (1995  est.) 
 
  Death  rate:  6.53  deaths/1,000  population  (1995  est.) 
 
  Net  migration  rate:  -1.55  migrant(s)/1,000  population  (1995  est.) 
 
  Infant  mortality  rate:  8.1  deaths/1,000  live  births  (1995  est.) 
 
  Life  expectancy  at  birth: 
  total  population:  77.05  years 
  male:  74.86  years 
  female:  79.37  years  (1995  est.) 
 
  Total  fertility  rate:  1.63  children  born/woman  (1995  est.) 
 
  Nationality: 
  noun:  Cuban(s) 
  adjective:  Cuban 
 
  Ethnic  divisions:  mulatto  51%,  white  37%,  black  11%,  Chinese  1% 
 
  Religions:  nominally  Roman  Catholic  85%  prior  to  Castro  assuming  power 
 
  Languages:  Spanish 
 
  Literacy:  age  15-49  and  over  can  read  and  write  (1981) 
  total  population:  98% 
 
  Labor  force:  4,620,800  economically  active  population  (1988); 
  3,578,800  in  state  sector 
  by  occupation:  services  and  government  30%,  industry  22%,  agriculture 
  20%,  commerce  11%,  construction  10%,  transportation  and  communications 
  7%  (June  1990) 
 
  Cuba:Government 
 
  Names: 
  conventional  long  form:  Republic  of  Cuba 
  conventional  short  form:  Cuba 
  local  long  form:  Republica  de  Cuba 
  local  short  form:  Cuba 
 
  Digraph:  CU 
 
  Type:  Communist  state 
 
  Capital:  Havana 
 
  Administrative  divisions:  14  provinces  (provincias,  singular  - 
  provincia)  and  1  special  municipality*  (municipio  especial);  Camaguey 
  Ciego  de  Avila,  Cienfuegos  Ciudad  de  La  Habana,  Granma,  Guantanamo, 
  Holguin  Isla  de  la  Juventud*,  La  Habana,  Las  Tunas,  Matanzas,  Pinar 
  del  Rio,  Sancti  Spiritus,  Santiago  de  Cuba,  Villa  Clara 
 
  Independence:  20  May  1902  (from  Spain  10  December  1898;  administered 
  by  the  US  from  1898  to  1902) 
 
  National  holiday:  Rebellion  Day  26  July  (1953) 
 
  Constitution:  24  February  1976 
 
  Legal  system:  based  on  Spanish  and  American  law,  with  large  elements 
  of  Communist  legal  theory;  does  not  accept  compulsory  ICJ  jurisdiction 
 
  Suffrage:  16  years  of  age;  universal 
 
  Executive  branch: 
  chief  of  state  and  head  of  government:  President  of  the  Council  of 
  State  and  President  of  the  Council  of  Ministers  Fidel  CASTRO  Ruz 
  (Prime  Minister  from  February  1959  until  24  February  1976  when  office 
  was  abolished;  President  since  2  December  1976);  First  Vice  President 
  of  the  Council  of  State  and  First  Vice  President  of  the  Council  of 
  Ministers  Gen.  Raul  CASTRO  Ruz  (since  2  December  1976) 
  cabinet:  Council  of  Ministers;  proposed  by  the  president  of  the 
  Council  of  State,  appointed  by  the  National  Assembly 
 
  Legislative  branch:  unicameral 
  National  Assembly  of  People's  Power:  (Asamblea  Nacional  del  Poder 
  Popular)  elections  last  held  February  1993  (next  to  be  held  NA);  seats 
  -  589  total,  elected  directly  from  slates  approved  by  special 
  candidacy  commissions 
 
  Judicial  branch:  People's  Supreme  Court  (Tribunal  Supremo  Popular) 
 
  Political  parties  and  leaders:  only  party  -  Cuban  Communist  Party 
  (PCC),  Fidel  CASTRO  Ruz,  first  secretary 
 
  Member  of:  CCC,  ECLAC  FAO,  G-77,  GATT,  IAEA,  ICAO,  ICRM,  IFAD,  IFRCS 
  ILO,  IMO,  INMARSAT  INTELSAT  (nonsignatory  user),  INTERPOL,  IOC,  ISO, 
  ITU,  LAES,  LAIA  (observer),  NAM,  OAS  (excluded  from  formal 
  participation  since  1962),  PCA,  UN  UNCTAD  UNESCO,  UNIDO  UPU,  WCL, 
  WFTU  WHO  WIPO,  WMO,  WTO 
 
  Diplomatic  representation  in  US: 
  chief  of  mission:  Principal  Officer  Alfonso  FRAGA  PEREZ  (since  August 
  1992)  represented  by  the  Cuban  Interests  Section  of  the  Swiss  Embassy 
  in  Washington,  DC 
  chancery:  2630  and  2639  16th  Street  NW  Cuban  Interests  Section,  Swiss 
  Embassy,  Washington,  DC  20009 
  telephone:  [1]  (202)  797-8609,  8610,  8615 
 
  US  diplomatic  representation: 
  chief  of  mission:  Principal  Officer  Joseph  G.  SULLIVAN 
  US  Interests  Section:  USINT,  Swiss  Embassy,  Calzada  Entre  L  Y  M, 
  Vedado  Seccion,  Havana 
  mailing  address:  use  street  address 
  telephone:  33-3551  through  3559,  33-3543  through  3547,  33-3700 
  (operator  assistance  required) 
  FAX:  Telex  512206 
  note:  protecting  power  in  Cuba  is  Switzerland  -  US  Interests  Section, 
  Swiss  Embassy 
 
  Flag:  five  equal  horizontal  bands  of  blue  (top  and  bottom)  alternating 
  with  white;  a  red  equilateral  triangle  based  on  the  hoist  side  bears  a 
  white  five-pointed  star  in  the  center 
 
  Economy 
 
  Overview:  Cuba's  heavily  statist  economy  remains  severely  depressed  as 
  the  result  of  its  own  inefficiencies  and  the  loss  of  massive  amounts 
  of  economic  aid  from  the  former  Soviet  Bloc.  Total  output  in  1994  was 
  only  about  half  the  output  of  1989.  The  fall  in  output  and  in  imports 
  is  reflected  in  the  deterioration  of  food  supplies,  shortages  of 
  electricity,  inability  to  get  spare  parts  and  the  replacement  of 
  motor-driven  vehicles  by  bicycles  and  draft  animals.  Higher  world 
  market  prices  for  sugar  and  nickel  in  1994,  however,  resulted  in  a 
  slight  increase  in  export  earnings  for  the  first  time  in  six  years, 
  despite  lower  production  of  both  commodities.  The  growth  of  tourism 
  slowed  in  late  1994  as  a  result  of  negative  publicity  surrounding  the 
  exodus  of  Cubans  from  the  island  and  other  international  factors.  The 
  government  continued  its  aggressive  search  for  foreign  investment  and 
  announced  preliminary  agreements  to  form  large  joint  ventures  with 
  Mexican  investors  in  telecommunications  and  oil  refining.  In  mid-1994, 
  the  National  Assembly  began  introducing  several  new  taxes  and  price 
  increases  to  stem  growing  excess  liquidity  and  restore  some  of  the 
  peso's  value  as  a  monetary  instrument.  In  October  the  government 
  attempted  to  stimulate  food  production  by  permitting  the  sale  of  any 
  surplus  production  (over  state  quotas)  at  unrestricted  prices  at 
  designated  markets.  Similar  but  much  smaller  markets  were  also 
  introduced  for  the  sale  of  manufactured  goods  in  December.  The  various 
  government  measures  have  influenced  a  remarkable  appreciation  of  the 
  black  market  value  of  the  peso,  from  more  than  100  pesos  to  the  dollar 
  in  September  1994  to  40  pesos  to  the  dollar  in  early  1995.  Policy 
  discussions  continue  in  the  bureaucracy  over  the  proper  pace  and  scope 
  of  economic  reform. 
 
  National  product:  GDP  -  purchasing  power  parity  -  $14  billion  (1994 
  est.) 
 
  National  product  real  growth  rate:  0.4%  (1994  est.) 
 
  National  product  per  capita:  $1,260  (1994  est.) 
 
  Inflation  rate  (consumer  prices):  NA% 
 
  Unemployment  rate:  NA% 
 
  Budget: 
  revenues:  $9.3  billion 
  expenditures:  $12.5  billion,  including  capital  expenditures  of  $NA 
  (1994  est.) 
 
  Exports:  $1.6  billion  (f.o.b.,  1994  est.) 
  commodities:  sugar,  nickel,  shellfish,  tobacco,  medical  products, 
  citrus,  coffee 
  partners:  Russia  15%,  Canada  9%,  China  8%,  Egypt  6%,  Spain  5%,  Japan 
  4%,  Morocco  4%  (1994  est.) 
 
  Imports:  $1.7  billion  (c.i.f.,  1994  est.) 
  commodities:  petroleum,  food,  machinery,  chemicals 
  partners:  Spain  17%,  Mexico  10%,  France  8%,  China  8%,  Venezuela  7%, 
  Italy  4%,  Canada  3%,  (1994  est.) 
 
  External  debt:  $10.8  billion  (convertible  currency,  December  1993) 
 
  Industrial  production:  growth  rate  NA% 
 
  Electricity: 
  capacity:  3,990,000  kW 
  production:  12  billion  kWh 
  consumption  per  capita:  1,022  kWh  (1993) 
 
  Industries:  sugar  milling  and  refining,  petroleum  refining,  food  and 
  tobacco  processing,  textiles,  chemicals,  paper  and  wood  products, 
  metals  (particularly  nickel),  cement,  fertilizers,  consumer  goods, 
  agricultural  machinery 
 
  Agriculture:  key  commercial  crops  -  sugarcane,  tobacco,  and  citrus 
  fruits;  other  products  -  coffee,  rice,  potatoes,  meat,  beans;  world's 
  largest  sugar  exporter;  not  self-sufficient  in  food  (excluding  sugar); 
  sector  hurt  by  persistent  shortages  of  fuels  and  parts 
 
  Economic  aid: 
  recipient:  Western  (non-US)  countries,  ODA  and  OOF  bilateral 
  commitments  (1970-89),  $710  million;  Communist  countries  (1970-89), 
  $18.5  billion 
 
  Currency:  1  Cuban  peso  (Cu$)  =  100  centavos 
 
  Exchange  rates:  Cuban  pesos  (Cu$)  per  US$1  -  1.0000  (non-convertible, 
  official  rate,  linked  to  the  US  dollar) 
 
  Fiscal  year:  calendar  year 
 
  Cuba:Transportation 
 
  Railroads: 
  total:  12,623  km 
  standard  gauge:  4,881  km  1.435-m  gauge  (151.7  km  electrified) 
  other:  7,742  km  0.914-  and  1.435-m  gauge  for  sugar  plantation  lines 
 
  Highways: 
  total:  26,477  km 
  paved:  14,477  km 
  unpaved:  gravel  or  earth  12,000  km  (1989) 
 
  Inland  waterways:  240  km 
 
  Ports:  Cienfuegos  La  Habana,  Manzanillo,  Mariel,  Matanzas,  Nuevitas 
  Santiago  de  Cuba 
 
  Merchant  marine: 
  total:  48  ships  (1,000  GRT  or  over)  totaling  278,103  GRT/396,138  DWT 
  ships  by  type:  bulk  1,  cargo  22,  chemical  tanker  1,  liquefied  gas 
  tanker  4,  oil  tanker  10,  passenger-cargo  1,  refrigerated  cargo  9 
  note:  Cuba  beneficially  owns  an  additional  24  ships  (1,000  GRT  or 
  over)  totaling  215,703  DWT  under  the  registry  of  Panama,  Cyprus, 
  Malta,  and  Mauritius 
 
  Airports: 
  total:  181 
  with  paved  runways  over  3,047  m:  7 
  with  paved  runways  2,438  to  3,047  m:  8 
  with  paved  runways  1,524  to  2,437  m:  13 
  with  paved  runways  914  to  1,523  m:  10 
  with  paved  runways  under  914  m:  106 
  with  unpaved  runways  1,524  to  2,438  m:  1 
  with  unpaved  runways  914  to  1,523  m:  36 
 
  Cuba:Communications 
 
  Telephone  system:  229,000  telephones;  20.7  telephones/1,000  persons; 
  among  the  world's  least  developed  telephone  systems 
  local:  NA 
  intercity:  NA 
  international:  1  INTELSAT  (Atlantic  Ocean)  earth  station 
 
  Radio: 
  broadcast  stations:  AM  150,  FM  5,  shortwave  0 
  radios:  2.14  million 
 
  Television: 
  broadcast  stations:  58 
  televisions:  1.53  million 
 
  Cuba:Defense  Forces 
 
  Branches:  Revolutionary  Armed  Forces  FAR  includes  ground  forces, 
  Revolutionary  Navy  (MGR),  Air  and  Air  Defense  Force  (DAAFAR), 
  Territorial  Militia  Troops  (MTT),  and  Youth  Labor  Army  (EJT);  Interior 
  Ministry  Border  Guards  (TGF), 
 
  Manpower  availability:  males  age  15-49  3,065,751;  females  age  15-49 
  3,023,997;  males  fit  for  military  service  1,909,901;  females  fit  for 
  military  service  1,878,768;  males  reach  military  age  (17)  annually 
  72,582;  females  reach  military  age  (17)  annually  69,361  (1995  est.) 
 
  Defense  expenditures:  exchange  rate  conversion  -  approx.  $600  million, 
  4%  of  GSP  (gross  social  product)  in  1994  was  for  defense 
 
  Note:  Moscow,  for  decades  the  key  military  supporter  and  supplier  of 
  Cuba,  cut  off  military  aid  by  1993 
 
 
 




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