Area Handbook for Cuba
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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 056 949 SO 002 056 AUTHoR Hlutstein, Howard T.; And 0 hers TITLE 2Nrea Handbook for Cuba. INSTITUTION American Univ., Washington, D.C. ForeignArea StUdies. REPORT NO DA-PAM-550-152 PUB DATE Mar 70 NOTE 494p. AVAILABLE FROMsuperintendent of Documents, U.S. GovernmentPrinting Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 ($3.75) EDRS PRICE MF-$0.65 HC Not Available from EDRS. DESCPIPTORS AMerican History; *Area Studies;Communism; Courts; pemography; *Developing Nations;Economics; Ethnic 5roUps; *Foreign Culture;Geography; Governmental strlIcture; Guides; History; Institutions;*Latin American Culture; MilitaryOrganizations; Religion; Social Structure; Social systems;Values IDENTIFIERS *Cuba; Educational Systems ABSTRACT This volume is one of a series ofhcindbooks designed to be useful toMilitary and other personnel who need aconvenient compilation of basic facts about thesocial, economic, political, and military institutions andpractices of various countries. It is intended to be an objectivedescription of the nation's present society, especially since theresolution of 1959, and the kinds of possible or probable changesthat might be expected in thefuture. It was compiled froMinformation available in openlypublished materials. A bibliography of sourcesof more detailed informationis provided in the appendix, aswell as a glossary of Spanish words. (Author) - - - - - "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS COPY- RIGHTED MATERIAL BY MIC ROFICHE ONLY HAS BEEN GRANTED BY SUL- e 0 CDrIc_Unlil e TO ER C AND ORGANIZATIONS OPERATING LINDER AGREEMENTS WITH THE U.S. OFFICE OF EDUCATION: FURTHER REPRODUCTION OUTSIDE THE ERIC SYSTEM REQUIRES PER- MISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT OWNER AREA HANDBOOK for CUBA Co-Authors Howard I. Blutstein Lynne Cox Anderson Elinor C. Betters Deborah Lane Jonathan A. Leonard Charles Townsend Research and writing werecompleted on March 1970 Published 1971 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION & WELFARE OFFICE OF EDUCATION THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRO- 2 DUCED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROM THE PERSON CR ORGANIZATION ORM- MATING IT. POINTS OF VIEW OR OPIN- DA PAM 550-152 IONS STATED DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT OFFICIAL OFFICE OF EDU- CATION POSITION OR roucy. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 75-610124 For Sale by the Superintendent of Documents U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402Price $3.75 FOREWORD This volume is one of aseries of handbooksprepared by Foreign of The AmericanUniversity, designed to be Area Studies (FAS) need a convenient com- useful to military andother personnel who about the social,economic, political, and pilation of basic facts various countries. Theempha- military institutionsand practices of description of thenation's present societyand the sis is on objective might be expected in the kinds of possible orprobable changes that seeks to present asfull and as balanced an future. The handbook limitations on space andresearch time integrated exposition as available in openly pub- permit. It was compiledfrom information to permit lished material. An extensivebibliography is provided recours, to otherpublished sources for moredetailed information. to express anyspecific point of view or There hEs been no attempt of the handbook to make policyrecommendations. The contents represent the', work ofthe authors and FASand do not represent the official view ofthe United Statesgovernment. An effort has beenmade to make thehandbook as comprehensive It can be expected,however, that the material,interpre- as possible. subject to modificationin the light of tations, and conclusions are additions, new informationand developments.Such corrections, factual, interpretive, orother change as readers and suggestions for Comments may have willbe welcomed for usein future revisions. may be addressedto: The Director Foreign Area Studies The American University 5010 Wisconsin Avenue,N.W. Washington, D.C. 20016 4 PREFACE anniversary of the Revolu- In 1970 Cubacelebrated the eleventh tion of 1959. Theresults of that revolutionhave made what was relatively unimportant country acenter of attention, a once a small, countries in Latin America,and source of subversionin a number of complex an elementof contention ininternational affairs. Many changes have takenplace domestically and inthe country's world situation in the last decade. This handbook seeks topresent an integratedexposition of the understand the circumstancesand results of society in order to help There are many excel- the changes thathave occurred since 1959. the country; most areeither specific studies lent works concerning describe the situation in of one aspect of thesociety or attempts tc broad, general terms. Thishandbook is not intendedto replace any of these studies butrather to supplementthe available material. Interpretations are kept to aminimum and are basedprimarily on sources. available -data found in documented who have given Grateful aclmowledgmentis due many people their time andknowledge in aiding thepreparation of various chap- authors wish to thankDr. Luis Aguilar for his ters. In particular, the and interpre- accounts of Cuban society.Responsibility for all facts tations found in the studymust, however, restwith the authors. Spanish usage is based onAppleton's New CuydsDictionary (Fifth Edition), Place namesfollow, the rulings of theUnited States Names. Spanish words areheld to a minimum, Board on Geographic recorded are defined atfirst appearance ai.td,if used frequently, are in the Glossary, COUNTRY SUMMARY colony of Spain 1. COUNTRY-Republic of Cuba. Formerly a (1511-1898) and underUnitedStatesmilitary government (1898-1902). Independent since1902. socialist republic with apresident who is 2. GOVERNMENT: A cabinet and legis- chief of state. Council ofMinisters serves as both lature. A prime ministerappointed by the presidentis head of government. of Cuba of 3. CONSTITUTION:Fundamental Law of the Republic 1959 was still in effect inearly 1970. Replaced theConstitution of 1940. About 8.4 million in early1970. More than 4, POPULATION: emigrated from the countrysince 1959. 500,000 persons have Nevo; and 15 About 73 percent of populationis white; 12 percent, percent, mestizo. miles. 5. SIZE: 44,218 square extreme west, 6. TOPOGRAPHY:Three low mountain rangesin in center of island, andin east. Rest of countryis level or rolling. About 1,400 square milesof swamps located inmargins of Zapata Peninsula. Numerous small islandsand keys surround themainland. Many Cubans have 7. LANGUAGES: Spanishis official language. good knowledge of English. Roman Catholic faith is 8. RELIGION: Noofficial religion, but predominant, representingabout 85 percent ofthe population. Numerous Protestant groupshave smaller numbersof adherents. Several cults of African originexist among Negroes. Elementary education isfree and compulsory 9. EDUCATION; but not com- through the sixth grade.Secondary education is free provide higher education. pulsory. Three universities 1,000 inhab- 10. HEALTH: Officialdeath rate recorded as 6.4 per itants in 1967. Infantdeath rate high. Leading causesof death were pneumonia, gastroenteritis,and tuberculosis. heart disease, cancer, in winter is 11. CLIMATE: Moderateand stable. Temperature 77°F. and 80°F. in summer. tribunals, people's 12. JUSTICE: SupremeCourt, revAntionary Jury system not used. courts, and municipal courts. divided into 13. ADMINISTRATIVEDIVISIONS: Six provinces fifty-two regions and 344municipalities. Each levelsupervises some local services and publicworks through means ofelected commit- tees. 14. ECONOMY: Basically agricultural, but industry is of increasing importance. 15. EXPORTS: Sugar and nickel are two most important exports. Soviet Union and other Communist countriesare main customers. 16. IMPORTS: Capital goods, fuel, and food. Soviet Union and other Communist countries are principal suppliers. 17. FINANCE: Peso is unit of currency; divided into 100 centavos. Official exchange rate as of 1970 was 1 Cubanpeso for 1 United States dollar. National Bank of Cuba (Banco Nacional de Cuba) is the only bank in the country and is state owned. 18. COMMUNICATIONS: Telephone and Telegraph. Over 200,000 operating telephones in early 1970. Telegraph service provided by the government. Radio. 120 AM and 27 FM slations in 1969, all owned by the government. Television. Nineteen stations, owned by the government. 19. RAILROADS: Rail system owned by the government. Total track over 11,000 miles, mostly standard-gauge. 20. NAVIGABLE RIVERS: All rivers only navigable for short dis- tances in lower courses. 21. ROADS: About 9,500 miles, mostly unpaved. 22. PORTS AND PORT FACILITIES: Havana,main port for im- ports; Nuevitas, main export port. Many minor seaports. 23. AIRFIELDS: Sixteen airports with regular domestic flights. Major airport is Jose Marti Airport at Havana. 24. PRINCIPAL AIRLINES: Cuban Aviation Enterprise, owned by the government, is only domestic airline. Also provides interna- tional flights to Mexico City. Iberia Airlines operates between Madrid and Havana. Soviet Union and Czechoslovakian airlines connect Havana with Moscow and Prague. 25. MERCHANT MARINE: Forty-nine vesselsas of 1969, with total deadweight tonnage of 370,000 metric tons. 26. INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS AND TREATIES: Numer- ous economic and cultural agreements with Cormnunist and non- Communist countries. Member of United Nations. 27. AID PROGRAMS: Grants and loans from Soviet Union and other Communist countries totaling over 5 billion Cuban pesos. 28. ARMED FORCES: Army, 90,000 men;navy, over 5,000; air force, 20,000; Civil Defense, 100,000;