Cuba
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Cuba: History, Culture & Economy
July 31, 2010 by A'Keiba Burrell
The Republic of Cuba (pronounced /ˈkjuːbə/); Spanish: República de Cuba, pronounced [reˈpuβlika ðe ˈkuβa]) is an island country in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos.
Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country’s capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city.
Cuba is home to over 11 million people and is the most populous island nation in the Caribbean. Its people, culture, and customs draw from diverse sources, including: the aboriginal Taíno and Ciboney peoples; the period of Spanish colonialism; the introduction of African slaves; and its proximity to the United States.
Christopher Columbus claimed the island for Spain in 1492, and the Spanish conquest began in 1511, when the settlement of Baracoa was founded. The native Indians were eradicated over the succeeding centuries, and African slaves, from the 18th century until slavery was abolished in 1886, were imported to work the sugar plantations. Cuba revolted unsuccessfully against Spain in the Ten Years’ War (1868 – 78); a second war of independence began in 1895. In 1898 the U.S. entered the war; Spain relinquished its claim to Cuba, which was occupied by the U.S. for three years before gaining its independence in 1902. The U.S. invested heavily in the…
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Ropa Vieja – Cuba National Dish
April 6, 2010 by Eric Ackerson
Hello hungry adventurers!! Croatia was a treat to the eyes, the senses and the palate. Our next destination is Cuba, pronounced Koo-Bah’ like the sounds of wind and sea resonating from the mouth.
Sailing out of the Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas, we follow the currents towards the Caribbean Sea and the largest island there. Guarding the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico between Florida and the Yucatan Peninsula is the island of Cuba, land of revolutions and stalwart tropical champion of Communism. There has been more than 500 years of history filled with conquistadores, disease, cash crops, battles, pirates and revolutions. It would take a hearty tome to record all of it and we only have a brief stop. So we will get a small feel for the bigger story and leave it to the history books to tell the rest.
Cuba was first settled by Arawaks, Siboneys and Tainos who had migrated to the island from other parts of the Americas. In October of 1492 Christopher Columbus claimed the island for Spain. In 1511 Diego Velasquez de Cuellar founded Baracoa as the first settlement followed shortly thereafter by Habana (Havana) in 1515. Spanish dominion over the island resulted in the…
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From Paris to Cuba Out this Summer
June 19, 2009 by Renee Blodgett
The new release, Paris to Cuba, by Mario Grigorov, has been described as a mix between Pink Martini and Buena Vista Social Club. This soundtrack to summer embodies a cross-cultural sound that takes you on a journey around the globe right from your CD player.
