Cuba!Cuba!

By David GomezBy David Gomez

Geography and Defining Geography and Defining Features Features

• Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea with Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea with land area of over forty-two thousand miles, two land area of over forty-two thousand miles, two thousand of them coastline. Cuba is located thousand of them coastline. Cuba is located 50 miles west of Haiti, 87 miles south of 50 miles west of Haiti, 87 miles south of the Bahamas, 90 miles south of Florida, 30 miles the Bahamas, 90 miles south of Florida, 30 miles east of Mexico, and 91 miles north of Jamaica. east of Mexico, and 91 miles north of Jamaica.

• More than 4,000 islands and cays (small, low-More than 4,000 islands and cays (small, low-elevation, sandy islands) are found in the elevation, sandy islands) are found in the surrounding sea and bays. The mainland terrain is surrounding sea and bays. The mainland terrain is mostly flat with rolling plains, rugged hills, small mostly flat with rolling plains, rugged hills, small mountains minimal natural inland water mountains minimal natural inland water formations.formations.

• Cuba's climate is tropical and controlled by the gulf Cuba's climate is tropical and controlled by the gulf stream and trade winds. The dry season lasts from stream and trade winds. The dry season lasts from November to April and the monsoon season from November to April and the monsoon season from May to October. May to October.

• Pico Turquino is the tallest peak in Cuba. It is Pico Turquino is the tallest peak in Cuba. It is located in the southeast part of the island, in the located in the southeast part of the island, in the Sierra Maestra mountain range. The name comes Sierra Maestra mountain range. The name comes from the Spanish word turqui, meaning turquoise, from the Spanish word turqui, meaning turquoise, and pico…peak. and pico…peak.

• Laguna de Leche (Spanish for "Milk Lagoon", also Laguna de Leche (Spanish for "Milk Lagoon", also called Laguna Grande de Morón) is the largest called Laguna Grande de Morón) is the largest natural fresh water lake in Cuba and has a total natural fresh water lake in Cuba and has a total surface of 25.9 square miles. The white color is surface of 25.9 square miles. The white color is caused by the lake's limestone bed. In 1940 the caused by the lake's limestone bed. In 1940 the Chicola Channel was built and connected the lake Chicola Channel was built and connected the lake to the Bay of Buena Vista, allowing for the sugar to the Bay of Buena Vista, allowing for the sugar processed in Morón to reach the small port of processed in Morón to reach the small port of Chicola. In the process, the lake was contaminated Chicola. In the process, the lake was contaminated with sea water, and it lost its characteristic white with sea water, and it lost its characteristic white color. The channel was closed in 1988. color. The channel was closed in 1988.

• Turquino National Park (also called Sierra Maestra Turquino National Park (also called Sierra Maestra National Park) was established on January 8, 1980. National Park) was established on January 8, 1980. The park is home to the before mentioned Pico The park is home to the before mentioned Pico Turquino, and also contains the mountains Pico Cuba, Turquino, and also contains the mountains Pico Cuba, Pico Real and Pico Suecia.Pico Real and Pico Suecia.

• Zaza Reservoir is the largest man-Zaza Reservoir is the largest man-made reservoir in Cuba. It is located in central Cuba made reservoir in Cuba. It is located in central Cuba and has an average volume of nearly two-hundred and has an average volume of nearly two-hundred billion gallons. It was developed on the course of the billion gallons. It was developed on the course of the Zaza, Yayabo, Taguasco and Tuinucú Rivers. The Zaza, Yayabo, Taguasco and Tuinucú Rivers. The 4 mile long dam was built over a 3 year period and 4 mile long dam was built over a 3 year period and was completed on December 7, 1971, at a cost of 27 was completed on December 7, 1971, at a cost of 27 million Cuban pesos ($29million).  A million Cuban pesos ($29million).  A hydroelectric plant was in 1978. The water of the hydroelectric plant was in 1978. The water of the reservoir is used to irrigate the vast farmlands to the reservoir is used to irrigate the vast farmlands to the south all the way to the Caribbean coast. The dam south all the way to the Caribbean coast. The dam contians and supports fresh water fishing, a popular contians and supports fresh water fishing, a popular island activity, for both commercial and recreational.island activity, for both commercial and recreational.

Turquino National ParkTurquino National Park

Laguna de Leche Laguna de Leche 

Islands and CaysIslands and Cays

Zaza Reservoir and Cayo Zaza Reservoir and Cayo LargoLargo

People: Origins of CubaPeople: Origins of Cuba

• Before the arrival of the Spanish, the island was Before the arrival of the Spanish, the island was inhabited by native peoples known as inhabited by native peoples known as the Taíno and Cibone. the Taíno and Cibone.

• In 1511, the first Spanish settlement was In 1511, the first Spanish settlement was founded by Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar at founded by Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar at Baracoa. The Spanish enslaved the Baracoa. The Spanish enslaved the approximately 100,000 indigenous people who approximately 100,000 indigenous people who resisted conversion to Christianity. In hopes of resisted conversion to Christianity. In hopes of finding gold the native tribes were almost finding gold the native tribes were almost completely whiped out by diseases brought over completely whiped out by diseases brought over by the sailors and conquistadors.by the sailors and conquistadors.

• Cuba remained a Spanish colony for almost 400 Cuba remained a Spanish colony for almost 400 years (1511–1898), with an economy based years (1511–1898), with an economy based on plantations agriculture, mining and the export on plantations agriculture, mining and the export of sugar, coffee and tobacco to Europe and later of sugar, coffee and tobacco to Europe and later to North America. to North America.

•

• The work was done primarily by The work was done primarily by African slaves, because of its adventatious African slaves, because of its adventatious proximity to the U.S. For those four hundred proximity to the U.S. For those four hundred years the Island was controlled by the small years the Island was controlled by the small land-owning elite of Spanish settlers. land-owning elite of Spanish settlers.

• The product of Spaniard/European and slave, The product of Spaniard/European and slave, Criollos (much like the creoles in American Criollos (much like the creoles in American south, became a large group during this time. south, became a large group during this time.

• Slavery remained the predominant source of Slavery remained the predominant source of labor but was abolished in 1886. Again, as in labor but was abolished in 1886. Again, as in the U.S ., the African and native descendent the U.S ., the African and native descendent minority continued to be socially and minority continued to be socially and economically oppressed by the European land economically oppressed by the European land owners.owners.

• Cuba is home to over 11 million people and is Cuba is home to over 11 million people and is the most populous island nation in the the most populous island nation in the Caribbean. Its people, culture, and customs Caribbean. Its people, culture, and customs draw from its rich European and Native draw from its rich European and Native cultures.cultures.

Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar: Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar: conquistador of Cuba conquistador of Cuba

Native CubansNative Cubans

• Many years of imperialist control, exploitation, Many years of imperialist control, exploitation, war and revolution has shaped and defined the war and revolution has shaped and defined the Cuban people. The Ten year war, War of 1895 Cuban people. The Ten year war, War of 1895 and Spanish-American war, and a foreign policy and Spanish-American war, and a foreign policy of US intervention left the Cuban people no of US intervention left the Cuban people no strangers to revolution and change. strangers to revolution and change.

• After the Spanish-American war, Cuba was After the Spanish-American war, Cuba was granted independence, with special rights and granted independence, with special rights and privileges to the US. During a Cuban revolt the privileges to the US. During a Cuban revolt the US backed Fulgencio Batista. Batista, a US backed Fulgencio Batista. Batista, a Military leader, became the President and Military leader, became the President and Dictator of Cuba from 1933-44 and again in Dictator of Cuba from 1933-44 and again in 1952-59. His pro US dictatorship helped 1952-59. His pro US dictatorship helped improve US - Cuban relations but at the cost of improve US - Cuban relations but at the cost of a repressive and corrupt government.a repressive and corrupt government.

• This corrupt Regime was the impetus for the Cuban This corrupt Regime was the impetus for the Cuban Revolution and the end of US “imperialism” in CubaRevolution and the end of US “imperialism” in Cuba

History: Then and NowHistory: Then and Now

• Perhaps one of the last Communist/socialist institutions left in Perhaps one of the last Communist/socialist institutions left in the world, Cuba is in the grips of overall poverty and social the world, Cuba is in the grips of overall poverty and social decline, while they have made large social strides in education decline, while they have made large social strides in education and overall healthcare. and overall healthcare.

• Cuba continues to be a country at war with itself. The Cuba continues to be a country at war with itself. The government has complete control of a censored press and government has complete control of a censored press and squelches most forms of government protest, imprisoning and squelches most forms of government protest, imprisoning and sometimes torturing dissidents as traitors of Cuba. The Cuban sometimes torturing dissidents as traitors of Cuba. The Cuban Government, under Castro, has been accused of numerous Government, under Castro, has been accused of numerous counts of human rights violations. counts of human rights violations.

• After the collapse of the Soviet Union and because of the After the collapse of the Soviet Union and because of the embargo with the US, Cuba has experienced many years of embargo with the US, Cuba has experienced many years of poverty. During the decline of the Soviet Union in the 70’s the poverty. During the decline of the Soviet Union in the 70’s the standard of living in was very poor. Food rationing and standard of living in was very poor. Food rationing and breakdown in government aid and housing shortages left many breakdown in government aid and housing shortages left many Cubans homeless and on the brink of starvation. In a response Cubans homeless and on the brink of starvation. In a response to the overall destitude of the cuban people Castro began to the overall destitude of the cuban people Castro began economic reforms in the mid-seventies. economic reforms in the mid-seventies.

• As of 2002, some 1.2 million persons of Cuban background As of 2002, some 1.2 million persons of Cuban background (about 10% of the current population of Cuba) reside in the (about 10% of the current population of Cuba) reside in the U.S.U.S.

Fulgencio Batista Fulgencio Batista 1933-44 and 1952-591933-44 and 1952-59

Ernesto "Che" Guevara and Fidel Castro

Fidel Castro12/76-2/08

Cuban Culture: Cuban Culture: A Melting PotA Melting Pot

• Cuban is a melting pot of cultures: Native, Spanish, Latin Cuban is a melting pot of cultures: Native, Spanish, Latin American, British, African, and American. There food is an American, British, African, and American. There food is an eclectic mix of these cultures. The typical Cuban meal consists eclectic mix of these cultures. The typical Cuban meal consists of: plantains, black beans and rice, (the three staples of their of: plantains, black beans and rice, (the three staples of their cuisine) Cuban bread (a hard, thin, almost papery toasted cuisine) Cuban bread (a hard, thin, almost papery toasted crust and a soft flakey middle.), pork with onions, and tropical crust and a soft flakey middle.), pork with onions, and tropical fruits. The predominate spices are: Garlic, cumin, oregano and fruits. The predominate spices are: Garlic, cumin, oregano and bay leaves. Pork sandwhiches (I’m told are similar to the bay leaves. Pork sandwhiches (I’m told are similar to the Mexican Torta, and the italian panini, pressed in a Mexican Torta, and the italian panini, pressed in a planchaplancha) is ) is something that is quintessentially Cuban and a staple of the something that is quintessentially Cuban and a staple of the workers.workers.

• Cuba is a country of loyal sports fans and enthusiasts. Cuba is a country of loyal sports fans and enthusiasts. Because of its proximity to America, Baseball is by far the most Because of its proximity to America, Baseball is by far the most popular. While Cuba has it’s own league, several players have popular. While Cuba has it’s own league, several players have made it over to play in MLB: Bert Campaneris, Jose Canseco, made it over to play in MLB: Bert Campaneris, Jose Canseco, Mike Cuellar, Minnie Minoso, Tony Oliva, Rafael Palmeiro, Mike Cuellar, Minnie Minoso, Tony Oliva, Rafael Palmeiro, Camilo Pascual, Tony Perez, Luis Tiant, and Zoilo Versailles.  Camilo Pascual, Tony Perez, Luis Tiant, and Zoilo Versailles.  Other sports and pastimes include basketball, volleyball, and Other sports and pastimes include basketball, volleyball, and cricket. cricket.

Cuban FoodCuban Food

Famous Baseball PlayersFamous Baseball Players

• Cuban music is very rich and is the most commonly Cuban music is very rich and is the most commonly known expression of culture. It has been adapted from known expression of culture. It has been adapted from many other musical styles: salsa, rumba and mambo and many other musical styles: salsa, rumba and mambo and cha-cha-cha. cha-cha-cha.

• Rumba music attributes its origins from the African Rumba music attributes its origins from the African culture residing in Cuba. culture residing in Cuba.

• Cuba's unique musical sound utilizes native Cuba's unique musical sound utilizes native instruments:the maracas, güiro, marimba and instruments:the maracas, güiro, marimba and  mayohuacan, as well as developed many instruments to  mayohuacan, as well as developed many instruments to create the distinctive “Cuban Sound” like the create the distinctive “Cuban Sound” like the TresTres, a , a three double-string guitar.three double-string guitar.

• Over the Next few slides I would like to expand on the Over the Next few slides I would like to expand on the musicians of Cuba.musicians of Cuba.

The Golden Era ofThe Golden Era of Late last summer I became caught up in the sultry sounds of jazz and Late last summer I became caught up in the sultry sounds of jazz and mymy

musical travels brought me to the distinctive afro-cuban sounds ofmusical travels brought me to the distinctive afro-cuban sounds ofrumba and the jazz influenced mambo. In a music class I was told torumba and the jazz influenced mambo. In a music class I was told towatch the Movie “Buena Vista Social Club” so I could hear some of thesewatch the Movie “Buena Vista Social Club” so I could hear some of theseclassic musicians, each a master of his/ her craft, perform together. Iclassic musicians, each a master of his/ her craft, perform together. Ifell in love with the camaraderie shared by these great musicians andfell in love with the camaraderie shared by these great musicians andthe passion in which they performed. Despite the relative poverty thesethe passion in which they performed. Despite the relative poverty thesepeople live/lived in I was astonished for their charisma and vivacious people live/lived in I was astonished for their charisma and vivacious

outlookoutlookon life. on life.

Before the revolution Havana was the toast of the CaribbeanBefore the revolution Havana was the toast of the CaribbeanNightclubs, Cabarets and Casinos were closed because of the lewd andNightclubs, Cabarets and Casinos were closed because of the lewd andflamboyant lifestyle they portrayed and encouraged. Cuba wasflamboyant lifestyle they portrayed and encouraged. Cuba wasbecoming a communist country devoid of the typical class structure. becoming a communist country devoid of the typical class structure.

Writer, Leonardo Acosta remembers:Writer, Leonardo Acosta remembers:"1968 [was] the most disastrous year for Cuban popular music..."1968 [was] the most disastrous year for Cuban popular music...because of measures whose negative effects we are still suffering thirtybecause of measures whose negative effects we are still suffering thirtyyears later... there was the so-called Dry Law, enforced byyears later... there was the so-called Dry Law, enforced byopportunistic officials who managed to close all the cabarets (alreadyopportunistic officials who managed to close all the cabarets (alreadynationalized by the state) including the Tropicana...Closed as well—all ofnationalized by the state) including the Tropicana...Closed as well—all ofthis in one year—werethe bars, small clubs and thousands of bodegasthis in one year—werethe bars, small clubs and thousands of bodegasand stands. Nightlife and along with it music and show business wereand stands. Nightlife and along with it music and show business wereleft high and dry…At one point 40% of the country's musicians were atleft high and dry…At one point 40% of the country's musicians were athome on unemployment pay... The damage was irreparable and Havana,home on unemployment pay... The damage was irreparable and Havana,Famous for its nightlife... Would never be the same again.“Famous for its nightlife... Would never be the same again.“

Like the film I want to recapture the energy and glamour present inLike the film I want to recapture the energy and glamour present inCuba, before the Revolution. Cuba, before the Revolution.

Ibrahim FerrerIbrahim Ferrer

• Born February 20th, 1927, Ibrahim Ferrer was a Born February 20th, 1927, Ibrahim Ferrer was a famous son and guaracha singer and lead vocalist for famous son and guaracha singer and lead vocalist for bandleader Pacho Alonso, in the 1950’s. After the bandleader Pacho Alonso, in the 1950’s. After the revolution Ferrer became “disillusioned with singing revolution Ferrer became “disillusioned with singing and the struggles of life”. Thankfully he was found by and the struggles of life”. Thankfully he was found by Juan de Marcos González who was working with Ry Juan de Marcos González who was working with Ry Cooder on the Buena Vista Social Club. He had been Cooder on the Buena Vista Social Club. He had been working as a shoe shiner. Cooder describes the working as a shoe shiner. Cooder describes the chance to work with Ferrer as something that chance to work with Ferrer as something that happens "perhaps once in your life", and Ferrer as happens "perhaps once in your life", and Ferrer as "the Cuban Nat King Cole". Ferrer realeased two "the Cuban Nat King Cole". Ferrer realeased two albums after the initial Buena Vista release, including albums after the initial Buena Vista release, including his first, and last solo album. He received a Latin his first, and last solo album. He received a Latin Grammy in 2001 and a Grammy in 2004, but was not Grammy in 2001 and a Grammy in 2004, but was not allowed in the country to receive it. After touring in allowed in the country to receive it. After touring in Europe in 2005 he died August 6, 2005 in Cuba at the Europe in 2005 he died August 6, 2005 in Cuba at the age of 78. age of 78.

Compay Segundo

• Born November 18th, 1907 Compay Segundo is an Born November 18th, 1907 Compay Segundo is an accomplished vocalist guitarist, and accomplished vocalist guitarist, and trestres player. player. He is credited as the inventor of the armónico, a He is credited as the inventor of the armónico, a seven-stringed guitar-like instrument. He is most seven-stringed guitar-like instrument. He is most remembered for his duo with Lorenzo Hierrezuelo, remembered for his duo with Lorenzo Hierrezuelo, Los Compadres. He composed and wrote the lyrics Los Compadres. He composed and wrote the lyrics for for Chan ChanChan Chan, a tune which has become the , a tune which has become the “calling card” of the Buena Vista Social Club “calling card” of the Buena Vista Social Club release. His lively spirit (Compay was almost 90 at release. His lively spirit (Compay was almost 90 at the time the Buena Vista Social Club was recorded) the time the Buena Vista Social Club was recorded) is present in the video interviews, a little more is present in the video interviews, a little more than a year later. In an interview he boasted he than a year later. In an interview he boasted he had been “smoking for almost 85 years, and that had been “smoking for almost 85 years, and that his love for women gave him five children and he his love for women gave him five children and he was working on his sixth.” He died July 13th, 2003 was working on his sixth.” He died July 13th, 2003 in Cuba. in Cuba.

Eliades Ochoa Eliades Ochoa

• Born June 22nd 1946 Eliades Ochoa is Born June 22nd 1946 Eliades Ochoa is a Cuban singer and guitarist, playing both a Cuban singer and guitarist, playing both the the tres tres and a variant called cuatro, he and a variant called cuatro, he began practicing at five years old. In the began practicing at five years old. In the film he comments on how he came from a film he comments on how he came from a musical family, “both my mother and musical family, “both my mother and father played the father played the trestres”. He began playing ”. He began playing in the streets and red light district of Cuba in the streets and red light district of Cuba to help support his family at a young age. to help support his family at a young age. He lives and performs to this day in his He lives and performs to this day in his distinctive cowboy boots and hat, a trade distinctive cowboy boots and hat, a trade mark of his mark of his sonson playing style. playing style.

Sources:Sources:• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Cuba• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cay• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turquino_National_Park• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zaza_Reservoir• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laguna_de_Leche• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuba• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulgencio_Batista• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buena_Vista_Social_Club• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliades_Ochoa• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compay_Segundo• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibrahim_Ferrer• Acosta, Leonardo 2003. Cubano be, cubano bop: one hundred years of jazz in Cuba. Transl.

Daniel S. Whitesell. Smithsonian, Washington DC. p202 et seq.• Bethell,Leslie. The Cambridge History of Latin America.• Havana Nocturne: How the Mob Owned Cuba and Then Lost It to the Revolution, by T. J.

English, William Morrow, 2008, ISBN 0061147710• Census 2000 Paints Statistical Portrait of the Nation's Hispanic Population, U.S. Census Bureau,

May 10, 2001.• Hispanic Heritage Month 2002, U.S. Census Bureau, September 3, 2002.• "Cuban Bread: A History". Bread-maker.net. Retrieved 2008-12-22.