Cuba

For more information on this destination buy a copy of the Lonely Planet just click here

Cuba

The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the European discovery of the island by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492 and following its development as a Spanish colony during the next several centuries. Large numbers of African slaves were imported to work the coffee and sugar plantations and Havana became the launching point for the annual treasure fleets bound for Spain from Mexico and Peru. Spanish rule was severe and exploitative and occasional rebellions were harshly suppressed. It was US intervention during the Spanish-American War in 1898 that finally overthrew Spanish rule. The subsequent Treaty of Paris established Cuban independence, which was granted in 1902 after a three-year transition period. Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959; his iron rule has held the regime together since then. Cuba's Communist revolution, with Soviet support, was exported throughout Latin America and Africa during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The country is now slowly recovering from a severe economic recession in 1990, following the withdrawal of former Soviet subsidies, worth $4 billion to $6 billion annually. Cuba portrays its difficulties as the result of the US embargo in place since 1961. Illicit migration to the US - using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, air flights, or via the southwest border - is a continuing problem. Some 2,500 Cubans attempted the crossing of the Straits of Florida in 2003; the US Coast Guard apprehended about 60% of the individuals.

Cuba, 2 star hotels 3 star hotels 4 star hotels 5 star hotels, all inclusive half board, self catered, room only accommodation. Find a cheap holiday and hotel in Cuba. book a summer or winter holiday in sunny Cuba. Havana City, Varadero, Old Havana, Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo, Cayo Guillermo, Cayo Santa María Armadores de Santander Beltrán de Santa Cruz, Havana USD 62.00 USD 120.00 Club Bucanero, Santiago de Cuba USD 63.00 USD 128.00 Hotel Ambos Mundos, Hotel Ancón, Hotel Camagüey Camagüey, Hotel Caribbean, Hotel Casa Granda Santiago de Cuba, Hotel Colina, Hotel Conde de Villanueva, Hotel Copacabana, Hotel Dos Mares, Varadero, Hotel Florida, Hotel Habana Riviera, Hotel Inglaterra, Hotel Jagua Cienfuegos, Hotel Las Cuevas Trinidad, Hotel Lido Havana, Hotel Los Frailes, Hotel Nacional de Cuba, Hotel NH Parque Central, Hotel O' Farril, Hotel Oasis, Hotel Park View, Hotel Plaza, Hotel Pullman Varadero, Hotel Raquel, Hotel Saint Johns, Hotel Santa Isabel, Hotel Tejadillo, Hotel Telégrafo, Hotel Vedado, Hotel Victoria, Meliá Cohiba Havana, Palacio San Miguel Havana, Sol Cayo Largo Cayo Largo, Varadero International Resort Varadero, Villa Cojimar Ciego de Avila, Villa Cuba Resort, Villa Kawama