1. CUBA
Created by Noah

2. LOCATION

3. A Summarized History
Originally inhabited by the Ciboneyes, Guanahatabeyes, and the Tainos tribes.
Christopher Columbus discovers Cuba in 1492 and Spain begins to colonize.
Official government established in 1607 with Havana as the capitol
Spain tightens her grip on by taking control of all trade and increases military presense
October 10, 1868: Cuban’s begin fighting for independence in the Ten Year’s War
Ends when rebels except Spanish promises for reforms
Economy collapses shortly after, allowing American investors to buy large amounts of Cuban land

4. History Continued… In 1895, Cuba declares a second War of Independence
America begins lending aid after declaring war on Spain in 1898
Spain surrenders and the new Independent Cuba becomes a US territory
America interferes with Cuban government well into the 1950’s
March 10, 1952: a US supported coup lead by Fulgencio Batista overthrows the government and eliminates the Cuban Congress
July 26, 1953: Fidel Castro leads 160 rebels on a raid of the Moncada Barracks. Ends with almost everyone dead or captured.
Castro, seen as a hero of the people, is exiled into Mexico begins training a new army

5. History Part III Castro's Return
CIA begins anti-revolutionary operations
April 17, AM: 1,500 US-trained counter revolutionists land in the Bay of Pigs and are hacked down within 72 hours by Soviet-supplied personal under Castro himself
Cuba allies itself with the Soviet Union
Nuclear war comes close to breaking out when Castro has Soviet Nuclear Warheads imported into his country in 1962
US and Cuba have been on shaky grounds since

6. Geography 44,200 sq miles (smaller than PA)
Terrain is mostly flat with hilly plains
Southeast is mountainous
Tropical climate

7. The People Population: 11,087,330 (as of July, 2011)
75% lives in urban areas
74th largest population
Religions: 85% Roman Catholic (before Castro)
Official language: Spanish
Capital is Havana

8. The Government Totalitarian Communist state
under the Cuban Communist Party (PCC)
Triumph of the revolution: January 1, 1959
Current head of state is General Raul Castro (as of Feb. 24, 2008)

9. Economy Limited due to Government fighting for political control
83% of the workforce employed by state
Less than 15% are private/self employed
VERY Low standard of living
Major exports: sugar, coffee, medical supplies, and tobacco
Huge trading partner with Venezuela (medical supplies for oil)

10. The Military Consists of: Crippled after the Soviet Union collapsed
Revolutionary Army
Revolutionary Navy
Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Force
Youth Labor Army
Crippled after the Soviet Union collapsed
Manpower estimated thousand
Regular drills for possible US aggression
One of the most formidable in Latin America

11. Current US-Cuban Relations
Uneasy since the 1959 revolution
Official US policy is Economical embargo and diplomatic isolation
Minimum communication
Under the Obama administration, agricultural exports to Cuba has increased (#1 exporter to Cuba)
Cuba is offended by being on the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism due to there disapproval of the War on Terrorism

12. Current Events
The first of the Cuban Five was released after 13 years in a Florida Prison. Rene Gonzalez, along with 4 others, was a Cuban intelligent officer who managed to infiltrate US Army bases in search of anti-Castro exiles back in the 90’s. Gonzalez and his four comrades were put on trial for possible terrorism even though they were never found with weapons. The other 4 are still in prison still with a possible 15 year-life sentence.
During the 6th Congress of the PCC, President Raul Castro announced to set a limit on political terms. With his way, politicians will be limited to 2 five-year terms. There is a lot of criticism about this due to the fact that this is towards the end of the Castro regiem.

13. References http://www.onwar.com/aced/data/cite/cuba1956.htm

14. The Revolution
November 25, 1956: Castro and his 82 man army set sail for Cuba on the yacht Granma
Immediately strafed by planes coming up the beachhead
12 partisans, including Fidel and his brother Raul, regrouped in the Sierra Maesestra mountain range
Began a two year Gorilla War against Batista’s US-armed troops
Gained much support from the people, and castors ranks grew in the hundreds
August of 1958: Fidel begins a “total war” against Batista’s forces with a two column strike ending in Havana
January 1, 1959: Batista fleas, and the Revolution takes control of the Government