Natural ResourcesCuba is blessed by its rich land. It has concentrated mineral wealth in nickel,wood,and petroleum. In fact, Cuba has enough petroleum deposits in offshore wells that,once it develops the machinery to extract the oil, it canbecome self sufficient andwill not need to import oil. Besides mineral wealth,Cuba also has a strong fishing industry that caters to the foreign markets [exports] and the tourist hotels in Cuba.

El maz -- This corn field was photographed in mid-June, 2003.

Why is the crop taller than the same crop in Indiana at the

same time?

El caf -- Cuban coffee is rich due to the mineral rich soil.

Most Cuban coffee is grown in the eastern mountains,

but this picture captures a plant in the west, in Pinar del Ro.

El tabaco -- the harvested tobacco hangs in the drying houses

for 45-60 days before the fermentation process.

La caa de azcar -- this sugar cane is ready for la zafra,

or the cane harvest which can occur anytime between

November and June.

El aguacate -- No, Cubans do not use this avocado in

guacamole like the Mexicans do, but they do enjoy

it in salads or alone, cooked or not.

El pltano/la banana -- Banana trees like this one

produce a bright flower well before the bananas

mature.