Cuba in Photos (Non-Fiction)

Background History

Sonja Hannah
IS208
Department
Spring 2001

Instructor: Howard Besser

In 1515 Spanish conquerer, Diego Velasquez founded six villas in Cuba, including La Habana (Havana). Here is a view from the airport (Jose Marti Airport?).

Cuba has frequently had a higher rate of literacy in comparison to many other Third World countries. In 1961 Cuba implemented a literacy campaign. Soon after the campaign, the national literacy rate in Cuba rose about 94 percent.

At just about every public vendor stalls you can find a display literature. Much of this literature contains the history of Cuba, famous Cubans such as Che, maps and memorabila for tourists.

In 1791 when some Haitian slaves caused a rebellion against white slave owners many of the slaves fled to Cuba where they eventually settled. Haiti influences can be seen in many cultural aspects of Cuba. Here women display and sell voodoo dolls, which are part of their cultural religion.

Expressing pride in their country many Cubans are aritists. This mural depicts the people hard at work, at play and shows illustrates the people, their qualities and their abilities.

Cuba is a police state. Police do not hesitate to stop civilians and check their ID.

Public transportation is essentially the only means of transportation in Cuba. This horse-drawn cab would more than likely be primarily used by tourists.

Gasoline is always in short supply in Cuba. Public transportation such as this MetroBus are contantly dangerously overcrowded. Sometimes pickup trucks are used to supplement the bus system. This public bus which is a long-two truck vehicle is called a camello, because of it's resemblance to a camel.

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The waterways of Cuba span @ 240 km. There are 7 Ports and harbors surrounding Cuba: Cienfuegos, Havana, Manzanillo, Mariel, Matanzas, Nuvitas, and Santiago de Cuba.

Children between the ages of 6 and 12 are provided education without fees. After they reach the age of 12, attending school becomes an option. Most of the educational curriculum in Cuba includes a combination of practical labor and class room instruction. Communist doctrine is a requirement of which teachers are required to attend training centers and classes on communist theory.

A bibliobus. Presumably a bookmobile. A traveling library.

Sidewalk artisians performing their craftmanship service. These fellows appear to be repairing some type of camera equipment.

Cuba is a tropical climate country made up mostly of flat to rolling plains. The climate consists of dry seasons(November to April) and rainy seasons (May to October). The predictability of it's climate, attracts many tourists to the country who can enjoy the lush beauty of this country.

This view can be seen from the Hotel Habana. It is a panoramic view of Havana, Cuba's main port and capital city. Most visible is the 450-foot-high monument dedicated to Jose Marti. Marti, was the organizer of the Cuban independence movement.

This island cove probably shelters the Almendares river. It is one of the smaller rivers which flwo into the Gulf of Mexico a few miles from the central part of Havana. The river is used to pick up household and industrial wastes. Efforts are being undertaken to improve the quality of the river.

A famous Cuban musician has been quoted as having said: (Cuban music is) "a love affair between the African drum and the Spanish guitar." Cuban music contains aspects of both Spanish and African roots. Music is an intricate part of Cuban lifestyle and can be found almost anywhere, especially on the streets. This type of music is often referred to as the: Habanera

The Plaza de la Revolucion, a place where many national holiday's are celebrated. Generally prior to the party begining, long political speeches are given by Fidel Castro or his brother Raul.

Today much of Cuba's architecture has begun to fall to ruin. renovations and paint projects have gone into effect to revitalize and beautify the cities.

Some of the natural agriculture of Cuba includes oranges and tangerines. This worker appears to be helping load trucks to be sent off for shipping.

Dance in Cuba is as highly regarded as it's musical heritage. Many of the dance crazes inherited by European cultures originate from Cuba. Some of the dance styles include: The rumba, the Yambu, Guaguanco, columbia, son, cha-cha-cha, salsa, mambo and many others.

Cuba is a very busy place where the people are constantly active. During the course of thier busy days, people take a few minutes to pause and observe some of the street scenes. Other scenes are people busy going about their various routines and activities. Their manerisim is nice and easy, not slow yet not rushing either.

Socializing is a big deal in Cuba. Here some gentlemen enjoy each others company.

Despite many years of hardships and dangers, the Cuban people are quite a happy, enthusiastic, and hopeful people. They love to celebrate in dance and in music and will chose just about any situation to do so. Street scenes such as this one is quite frequent and open to all.

Howard Besser Diary Entry: El Morro area. We (along with hundreds of others) watched the ceremony of lighting and firing a cannon into the river. The ceremony memoralized the time when the cannons were fired at 9pm to announce the impending closing of the city gates for the night. Ths was apparently something that started under British influence, and the guards who do this are dressed in British redcoats.

This street scene is similar to many of the streets in Cuba. Large mansions which were once owned by wealthy families are now converted into apartments which houses many families.

The age for military enrollment in Cuba starts at age 17. The various military branches consist of: The Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), The Revolutionary Navy (MGR), Air and Air Defense Forces (DAAFAR), Territorial Troops Militia (MTT), and Youth Lavor Army (DJT). In 1993 Moscow, who had been a key military supporter and supplier of Cuba, cut off almost all of it's military support.

Architecture. Has become an important feature in defining the stature and highlights of Cuban culture and history.

Howard Besser Diary Entry 3/2/01: The Air Cubana flight was one of the strangest flights I've been on. Plan was a YAK-42, probably Russian-made, shaped like a DC-10 for midgets, with very little leg-room and a tiny entry door (everyone had to crouch to enter the plane). On take-off, the plane shook and smoke rushed by, racing along the top of the cabin, while overhead storage bins popped open. I quickly realized that the smoke ws cool air (like dry ice smoke).

Cuba's Museum of Natural Science. Formaly this domed building was used as the meeting place of the Cuban legislature.

These two visitors are apparently making sketches of the architecture and street scences of Habana. Cuba is strategically located and has been recognized as a port of importance. Throught history Cuba has been the object of many conquering countries who have wanted to utilize it's location. Today Cuba could be one of the wealthiest countries were it not for the political intervention that curtails it's growth.