Christmas Cultural Study Project

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Christmas Cultural Study Project




Locate your country: 

        It’s a fairly large island located south of Florida, and east of Mexico.  



What is the capital of your country?

        The capital of Cuba is Havana.



What are some of the major cities in your country?

        Pinar del Rio, La Babana, and Santiago de Cuba. 



What is the geography of Cuba like? 

        Cuba is the principal island, which is surrounded by four main groups of islands. It mainly consists of flat to rolling plains.The local climate is tropical. And is normaly 70-80 Degrees farenhiet. 



What is the government of Cuba like?

        They are defined as a socialist republic. The President of Cuba, who is elected by the Assembly, serves for a five-year term and there is no limit to the number of terms of office.



What is the economy of Cuba like? 

        In 2005 Cuba exported $2.4 billion, ranking 114 of 226 world countries, and imported $6.9 billion, ranking 87 of 226 countries. Its major export partners are the Netherlands 18.5%, Canada 18.5%, China 16%, Bermuda 14.1%, Spain 5.1%; major import partners are Venezuela 27%, China 15.8%, Spain 9.7%, Germany 6.5%, Canada 5.6%, Italy 4.4%, US 4.4%. Cuba's major exports are sugar, nickel, tobacco, fish, medical products, citrus, and coffee; imports include food, fuel, clothing, and machinery. Cuba currently holds debt in an amount estimated to be $13 billion. 



What is the history of Cuba?

Christmas Cultural Study Project
        On October, 17 1492 Christopher Columbus discovered Cuba, and claimed it for Spain. The island had already been inhabited by the Native Americans. The Spanish, as they did throughout the Americas, oppressed and enslaved the approximately 100,000 indigenous people that resisted conversion to Christianity on the island. Within a century they had all but disappeared as a distinct nation as a result of the combined effects of european-introduced disease. 



What are some of the natural recources of Cuba? 

        Cobalt, nickel, iron ore, copper, manganese, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, and arable land. 



What is the population of Cuba? 

        11,177,743 People, including: 5,597,233 men and 5,580,510 women.



What is the education like in Cuba?

        Cuba funds all Cuban citizens for education, though taxes. Students must attend the basic school system from ages six-fifteen. And all school attendees must wear school uniforms, based on there grade level their uniforms will vary in color. 



Major Tourist Attractions: 

        One of the tourist attractions in Cuba is the capitol building in Havana. Another major tourist attraction is Chinatown which is also in Havana. The last major tourist attraction I researched was the national museum of music in Havana. 



Special Dates: 



        Indians of Cuba died in 1492 from diseases brought over by the European settlers. A treaty made in 1899 made Cuba an independent republic under U.S. protection. In 1933 a group of army officers, including army sergeant Fulgencio Batista, overthrew President Gerardo Machado. Batista became president in 1940, running a corrupt police state.



Types of Celebrations & Other Traditions:

Christmas Cultural Study Project


        Most celebrations are because of wars of independence and revolution. On these days shops, offices and factories close for the day and people usually gather in the Plaza de la Revolución, although such parades and rallies are a thing of the past. Nowadays, large rallies aren’t as common anymore.



Foods: 

        Typical Cuban foods include black beans, white rice, yellow rice, citrus marinades, garlic, and fried sliced banana (plantain). Olive oil and garlic marinades are often used as sauces. 



Crafts: 

        Some crafts include woven goods, pottery, handmade rocking chairs, and jewlrey.