The Tocororo or Cuban trogon (Priotelus temnurus). Autochthonous bird related to the quetzal. The Tocororo's feathers exhibit the colors of the Cuban flag: red, blue and white.

In most cases, its height varies between 40 and 50 feet and it is crowned with a beautiful crest. This is one of the many trees that grow in Cuba; its majestic structure and height, as well as its strength and its many uses have earned it to be called all over the country as the queen of our fields.

It is shaped like an ogival shield. Its upper section portrays a golden key that symbolizes Cuba's key position among the two Américas, therefore the name "The Key to the Gulf". The rising sun stands for the emergence of a new nation. The three blue stripes, separated by two white ones, represent the departments that Cuba was divided into, during the colonial period. The Royal Palm that appears in the third space or quarter, represents the noble and serene firmness of the Cuban people.

It was the patriot Perucho Figueredo who composed, in 1867, the music of the Anthem. Later, in 1868, when the independence forces seized the city of Bayamo (Granma Province), Figueredo himself wrote the words:
•People of Bayamo, to arms in the battle
•that the Homeland contemplates you proudly
•Fear not a glorious death, for dying for the Homeland is like living. To remain in chains is to live in dishonor and vile subjugation
•O, hark to the call of your nation
•take up arms, all ye brave sons

Spanish is the official language in Cuba and there are no dialects. English is the language used for commercial operations.

The language is reflected in the mixture of the mother tongue of different races and the influence of aborigine and African words is very distinctive. As examples of aborigine language presence we have Habana, Jagua and Guanahacabibes, while congrá, malanga and conga are of African origin.

The total population of Cuba accounts for more than 11 million people, in a peculiar mixture of Spaniards, Africans and Asians.

Due to the extermination of the aborigine race because of the difficult conditions of labor to which they submitted, Spanish land owners introduced hundreds of Africans and Chinese to perform the most difficult works of the Sugar Industry. Afterwards, Europeans from Germany and France and people from other regions of the Caribbean, like Haiti and Jamaica also came to Cuba.

The mixture of these different races and cultures gave birth to the Cuban population.

Education is free and obligatory until the ninth grade. In 1961, illiteracy was eradicated and today the population has a high instruction level.

Cuba's national system of education comprehends from day care centers for working mothers' children to universities disseminated throughout the whole country.

A country prodigal in artistic and creative manifestations. It has made contributions to international culture with important names of writers, thinkers, dancers, musicians, painters, poets and singers. Cuban craftwork is interesting, with outstanding works in leather, vegetable fibers, wood, stone, metal and sea products. Cuba's cultural infrastructure consists of theaters, museums, art galleries and cinemas, where not only samples of the national wealth of all times are shown, but also of world art. It is the seat of important international events such as the Ballet Festival, the biennial of visual arts, popular music festivals and the Festival of the New Latin American Cinema, among others.

Lay country with freedom of cults. Catholic and Afro-Cuban religions prevail, although other tendencies also exist.

Moderate subtropical. The Cuban territory grazes the Tropic of Cancer, and due to its long and narrow configuration, on an east-west axis, it receives the refreshing action of the trade winds and the sea breezes. During the short winter, it is cooled by masses of cold air from the North; those cold fronts do not last long. The day and night temperatures differ less in the coastal regions than inland. The eastern part of the country has a warmer climate than the western part.

Temperature

Average temperature 24,6º C (76,3º F)

Summer average 25º C (77º F)

Winter average 22º C (71,6º F)

Seasons

There are two, clearly defined: the dry season, from November through April; and the rainy season, from May through October. The average annual precipitation is 1 375 mm.

Cuba was discovered by Christopher Columbus, on October 27, 1492. The conquest and colonization caused the extermination of the aboriginal inhabitants, due to which they imported black people from Africa to enslave them. The resulting mixture defined Cuba's population and culture. On October 10, 1868, the Cuban people began their struggle for independence from Spain, whose colonial rule lasted 4 centuries. United States intervened in the warlike conflict and established a pseudorepublic in 1902 until the 1st. of January of 1959, when the Revolution commanded by Fidel Castro triumphed, bringing essential transformations for the life of the country.

The national currency is the Cuban Peso, which is equivalent to 100 centavos (cents). Notes can be of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 pesos. Coins can be of 1, 5 and 20 centavos, and there are others of 1 and 3 pesos.

The exchange rate to the American dollar is fixed, one to one, as established by the Central Bank of Cuba.

At the Bureaus of Exchange (CADECA) created to sell - buy USD or Cuban Convertible Pesos, the exchange rate can vary now between $20.00 and $26.00 Cuban pesos to the US dollar.

A traveler may import up to two hundred fifty Cuban pesos (250.00 Cuban pesos) worth of new or used items in addition to his personal effects. Any items exceeding this authorized value are subject to confiscation. The non-commercial tariff that applies to goods imported by travelers is 100% of the total import value. The travelers who are non-residents in Cuba and the nationals who travel abroad for personal reasons shall pay the applicable tariffs in freely convertible currency.

Video equipment of any kind, brand and model, including those built in other equipment, are banned. The prohibition includes the so-called video and DVD players. The ban excludes Missions and Diplomatic Agents, Cuban officials working abroad on an official mission for more than a year and people authorized to import domestic appliances.

A traveler may import up to 10 kg of medicines duty-free, provided that such medicines are packaged in their original containers.

Except for the goods expressly prohibited (including freezers, air conditioners, electric stoves and ranges of any model and type, electric ovens of any model, capacity and type, electric showers of any type and capacity, electric fryers of any model and type, electric water heaters, electric irons with a power consumption rate above 290 watts/hour without spray or 703 watts/hour with spray and steam, electric bread toasters, electric resistors for irons, stoves and water heaters), a traveler may import any household appliance, provided that its value combined with the rest of his imports does not exceed the Cuban peso 250.00 maximum authorized amount.

The import of household appliances by a tourist as part of his personal effects will be regulated by the specific provisions applicable to this category of travelers. A traveler requires express authorization by the Ministry of Communications to import communication means and equipment, including radio transmitters and transceivers, fax terminals, telephone switchboards and equipment, exchanges, telegraphic and telex machines, professional radio and TV receivers other than household radios and TV sets, Geographical Positioning System (GPS) receivers, satellite antennas and receiving stations, and satellite communication ground stations. In the event that any of the foregoing items is part of a traveler’s accompanied or unaccompanied personal luggage and the above-mentioned authorization is not available upon Customs clearance, the item will be held by Customs for a term of up to thirty (30) days, which may be extended for an additional thirty (30) day period on request. In case that the appropriate authorization has not been produced upon expiration of this period, the item will be deemed as relinquished.

A traveler who is non-resident in Cuba may re-export any temporary import, and export new or used items purchased in Cuba for up to one thousand pesos (Cuban peso 1000.00).Up to 23 cigars may be exported free of any formality. Cigars may be exported up to an amount of two thousand pesos (Cuban peso 2000.00), subject to prior presentation of a purchase invoice issued by an outlet member of the shopping network legally authorized to transact this business.

No ceiling is provided in respect of the amount of rum for export. However, such exports may not be in an amount that, in the opinion of the Customs, has a commercial nature. The export of an asset —either fully or in part— that is regarded as cultural heritage of the nation or museum piece without prior authorization by the National Registration Office of Cultural Assets under the Ministry of Culture is prohibited. The works of art and craft pieces that do not have any museum value must be certified as such by the National Registration Office of Cultural Assets under the Ministry of Culture. The value of these pieces may exceed by one thousand Cuban pesos (Cuban peso 1000.00) the value of the authorized exports. The works of art and other museum pieces previously imported by a traveler may be re-exported provided that, upon departure, a customs declaration certifying its entry into Cuba is produced.

Exports are not subject to any Customs tariff. The import and/or export of firearms and ammunition of any caliber is prohibited, unless express authorization has been issued by the Public Safety Department of the Ministry of Interior.

The import and/or export of explosives and hazardous chemicals is prohibited. The tourists who travel to Cuba for game hunting or shooting competitions and import firearms and/or ammunition for such purposes must seek appropriate permits from the competent authorities before their arrival in Cuba and produce such permits to Customs upon entry into the country. Except for the animals which import and export are regulated by the CITES Convention, a traveler may import or export his pet, provided always that the regulations border veterinary authorities governing vaccination certificates and other internationally required documents are met.

The import and/or export of endangered specimens (either live or dead, or their parts or components) or wildlife (borne by oceans, rivers, lakes or ground) protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Wildlife Species requires an authorization by CITES to be submitted to Customs. These protected species include parrots, crocodiles and hawksbill turtles.

All travellers are requiered to get a Visa . You can obtain a Tourist Visa in the Cuban Consulate in your country. Also you can get the Visa in most of the airports ( Airline - counter ) prior to departure to Cuba .

Cuban nationals living in another country must contact with the Cuban Consulate in your country for information prior to departure .