Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean, a long ribbon of palms, mountains and farmland with the colonial capital Havana, vintage cars, and a one-party socialist government in place since 1959.
Geography & landscape
Cuba sits in Caribbean, in the northern hemisphere of North America. With an area of approximately 109,884 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Havana, lies near coordinates 21.5°, -80°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of North America, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Caribbean region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Cuba.
People & society
The population of Cuba is around 11M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is Spanish, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Cuba is structured as a one-party socialist republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Havana, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Cuba is the Cuban Peso (CUP). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Havana and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Cuba shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Cuba through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Havana, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +53, and clocks are set to the CST (UTC-5) time zone. ISO standards identify Cuba as CU (alpha-2) and CUB (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇨🇺, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Havana | — |
| Continent | North America | — |
| Sub-region | Caribbean | — |
| Population | 11M | people |
| Area | 109,884 | km² |
| Currency | Cuban Peso (CUP) | — |
| Calling code | +53 | international dialling |
| Time zone | CST (UTC-5) | standard time |
| Government type | One-party socialist republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | CU | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | CUB | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 21.5 | degrees |
| Longitude | -80 | degrees |
Did you know?
Cuba has one of the highest doctor-to-patient ratios in the world — over 8 doctors per 1,000 people, more than double the EU average.
