By: Jocelyne R. BravoWorld lit.-2nd Block Ms.Geller September 12,2014

Cuba

Location:Cuba is located 77 km (48 mi) west of Haiti across the Windward Passage, 21 km (13 mi) south of the Bahamas, 145 km (90 mi) south of Florida, 210 km (130 mi) east of Mexico, and 140 km (87 mi) north of Jamaica. Cuba is the largest country by land area in the Caribbean.

Climate:Cuba's climate is tropical and moderated by trade winds. The dry season lasts from November to April and the rainy season from May to October. The Average annual Temperature is 75°F (24°C). Cuba is an archipelago of islands located in the Caribbean Sea, with the geographic coordinates 21°3N, 80°00W.

Population:The population in Cuba is 11,271,819.

Geography: Geography of Cuba. Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea. Cuba has an official area ( land area ) of 109,884 km2 (42,426 sq mi). Its area is 110,860 km2 (42,800 sq mi) including coastal and territorial waters.

Government:The type of government is Democratic Republic.

CultureArt:Cuban art is a very diverse cultural blend of African, South American, European and North American design reflecting the diverse demographic of the island. Cuban artists embraced European modernism and the early part of the 20th century saw a growth in Cuban vanguardism movements, these movements were characterized by a mixture of modern artistic genres.

Music:The music of Cuba, including its instruments, performance and dance, comprises a large set of unique traditions influenced mostly by West African and European (especially Spanish) music. Due to the syncretic nature of most of its genres, Cuban music is often considered one of the richest and most influential regional musics of the world.

Literature:Cuban literature began to find its voice in the early 19th century. The major works published in Cuba during that time were of an abolitionist character. Notable writers of this genre include Gertrudis Gomez de Avellaneda and Cirilo Villaverde.

Food:The tropical climate prodeces fruist and root vegetables that are used in cuba dishes and meals. A typical meal would consist of rice and beans,cooked together or apart.When cooked together the recipe is called either “Congri” or “Moros” y Critianos (black beans and rice).

Religion:Cuba's prevailing religion is Roman Catholicism, although in some instances it is profoundly modified and influenced through syncretism. A common syncretic religion is Santería, which combined the Yoruban religion of the African slaves with Catholicism and some Native American strands; it shows similarities to Brazilian Umbanda and has been receiving a degree of official support.

Culture Clothing

Schoolchildren in Havana

Traditional Cuban Clothing

Guayabera shirts in Clothing Shop Obispo street

Old man in Havana

Traditional Wedding dress in Cuba

Traditional Cuban Dress at15th Birthday

Clothing Shop Dress in the Old City

culture