14 interesting and strange facts about Cuba (16 photos)

Of the various countries located in the Americas, none has as controversial a history as Cuba. Although many films detail what life is like here, the truth is that we have little information about this unique country. In this post you will learn interesting details.





1. John Lennon Park



In Havana there is “John Lennon Park”, where a statue is erected in honor of the great musician. It turns out that Fidel Castro was a big fan of him and considered him a true musical revolutionary, so he ordered a bronze statue to be made.

2. It snowed only once





In its entire history, snow has fallen only once in Cuba. This curious event occurred in March 1857 and was never repeated. Although in 2010 it was close, as the temperature was recorded at 1.9 degrees Celsius, the lowest in the last 50 years.

3. Cuba has the highest life expectancy in America



According to Cuba's Center for Population and Development Studies, women live to 80 on average, and men to 76. These results are thought to be due to their public health system, which places a heavy emphasis on prevention.

4. Education in Cuba is at a very high level



Education in Cuba is free at all levels - from primary school to higher education - and compulsory until the end of the ninth grade. Illiteracy was eliminated in Cuba in 1961. There are universities, faculties, polytechnics and other institutes in every province of the country.

5. Cubans have low wages



According to the Miami Herald, Cubans typically earn between $50 and $500 a month, depending on their social status. Very few people earn more than 1000.

6. Christmas has not been celebrated before



The celebration of Christmas was not officially recognized until 1998. This is because the revolution declared Cuba an atheistic government. But to welcome the Pope this year, they decided to include Christmas in the official holiday calendar.

7. Cuba is full of classic and vintage cars



Due to the trade embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba, only classic cars were available on the island. It was only in 2011 that new cars, mostly from Chinese brands, began to circulate.

8. A small percentage of the population has access to the Internet



According to the International Telecommunication Union, in 2018, only 26% of Cubans had access to the Internet at the astonishing price of $2 per hour, which for many is very high. Therefore, people most often visit free Wi-Fi hotspots to be able to connect to the network.

9. Selling computers was illegal.



Until 2008, selling computers was a crime in the country. When the first model was sold in Cuba, it cost $800 and was only sold in government-controlled stores.

10. Thousands of people leave Cuba every year



An estimated 500,000 Cubans sought asylum in the United States between 2021 and 2023, representing nearly 5% of Cuba's population.

11. Health care is good here



The Cuban healthcare system is proud of such areas as oncology, pediatrics, hematology, immunology, endocrinology, and treatment of skin diseases. Since 2007, the Cuban health system has offered free surgeries to thosewomen who suffer from erectile dysfunction.

12. Drinking alcohol in public places is allowed



In Cuba, alcohol can be consumed on the streets and on public transport without any problems. Consumption of rum and beer is the most popular on the island.

13. There is a rich ecosystem here



Thanks to its location and climate, Cuba has one of the richest ecosystems in the Caribbean, with over 3,000 unique species found in no other country in the world.

14. Havana is divided into two parts



15.



As is often the case in all cities of the world, Havana is divided into two parts: good and bad. Of course, tourists are focused only on the good and are away from the poorest, darkest and oldest areas of the Cuban capital.