16. Provinces of Cuba - Matanzas

PROVINCE OF MATANZAS

The Province of Matanzas is located in central Cuba, between La Habana and Las Villas, has an extension area of 3, 378 square miles in size, and is only larger than the Province of La Habana. Originally the great Indian chief, or cacique Abana integrated Matanzas as part of the area of La Habana, but later they were separated and the province capital, Matanzas City, was founded in the year 1690. Matanzas contains one of the most beautiful valleys in Cuba, Valle De Yumurí, and the beautiful caves known as Cuevas of Bellamar, also the north coast is the site of the most beautiful beach of the (world?) island, Varadero, also known as "Playa Azul".

MATANZAS

1. ¿Por qué será que Matanzas
Se conserva en la memoria
Como el velo de una Novia,
Sin dejarnos ver su cara?
¿Será que acaso extraña
Los que de ella partimos,
O si en su seno nacimos
Y luego nos fuimos lejos,
Quedando como un reflejo
El que tal vez la perdimos?

2. Pero yo siento infinito
Deseo de verla de nuevo,
Visitar todos sus pueblos,
De Bolondrón a Perico,
Los Arabos y Manguito,
Cárdenas y Jagüey Grande,
Cabezas y Alacranes,
De Bellamar ver las cuevas
Y poder gozar en ellas,
Las de belleza tan grande.

3. Del Yumurí ver el valle,
Pictórico cual ninguno
He conocido en el mundo
Sin olvidar un detalle;
Y quizá luego yo halle
Cómo llegar a las costas
Para ver maravillosas
Blancas y finas arenas,
Que a Varadero la cuentan
Entre todas las hermosas.

4. Tonalidades del verde
Con el azul se confunden
Y parece que se funden
En árboles que se yerguen.
El cielo y el mar parecen
Una cortina encantada
Que va a esconder a Matanzas
Dejando solo recuerdos
Por los cuales yo me muero

Si mis sueños no me alcanzan.

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15. Provinces of Cuba - Las Villas

PROVINCE OF LAS VILLAS

The province of Las Villas is located in the center of the island, has an area of 8, 564 square miles, the third most large Cuban province, only surpassed by Oriente and Camaguey. Originally it was called "Cinco Villas" and contains one of the most modern Cuban cities, Cienfuegos, founded in the year 1817. On the north coast there are two ports, Sagua la Grande and Caibarien,well known for its shellfish, two points of interest are the spectacular waterfall called Salto del Hanabanilla and the majestic Valle de Santa Clara. The province of Las Villas produce sugar, tobacco, coffee, rice, potatoes and fruit.

LAS VILLAS

1. Dicen que el centro del orbe
En Santa Clara se encuentra
Porque si vas dando vueltas
Y sin nada que te estorbe,
Entre los cedros y robles
(Si vas viniendo de Oriente,
O quizá del Occidente)
Tú tendrás conocimiento
De que estuviste en el centro
De todos los continentes.

2. Ceibas, caobas y palmas
Hallas en Sagua la Grande,
O si te sumas a un viaje
Con destino a Encrucijada.
Desde Cienfuegos a Lajas,
De Manacas a Palmira,
Escuchas lindas guajiras,
Chachachá y son montuno,
Porque el sabor al terruño
Está por todas Las Villas.

3. Allí está el Hanabanilla
Con su salto majestuoso,
Allí está ese valle hermoso
Que en Santa Clara se admira,
Donde diez mil avecillas
Que yo traigo en mi memoria
Cantan sonetos de historia,
Entre mil fragantes flores
Que regalan sus colores
A esta provincia de gloria.

4. Aguada de Pasajeros
Se me antoja tan cercana
Que veo desde mi ventana
Rancho Veloz y Remedios,
Sancti-Spiritus lo siento
Al mirar el infinito,
Y en este azul tan bonito
A Trinidad y su cielo…
Siempre a Las Villas recuerdo
Y a ti lo mismo te pido.

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14. Provinces of Cuba - Camaguey

PROVINCE OF CAMAGUEY

The Province of Camaguey is located between Oriente and Las Villas, has an area of 10, 538 square miles and is the second largest of the provinces of Cuba, smaller only than the Province of Oriente. In the year 1513 the area was conquered by Panfilo de Narvaez, who founded their capital in the north coast, now occupied by the city of Nuevitas, and named it Puerto Principe, but due to numerous pirate attacks, many years later, the capital was moved to its current location. In 1899 they changed the name to Camaguey, in honor of the great Indian chief, or cacique Camaguey. Major products of agriculture in Camaguey are livestock, corn, tobacco, pineapple and sugar cane.

CAMAGUEY

1. Camagüey, llena de encantos
(Como el Edén fue creada)
Tierra de frutas doradas
Hoy te dedico mi canto.
Siempre mostrando tus campos
Donde el verde es más hermoso,
Para el viajero reposo,
Para el ganado un santuario,
En ti encontramos a diario
Perpetua fuente de gozo.

2. Tus playas son mas azules
Con tan blancos arenales
Y arrecifes de corales
De los cuales tú presumes.
Veo encenderse la lumbre
En tus islotes y cayos,
Veo aguaceros en Mayo
Hacer desbordar tus ríos
Y de tus potros el brío
Con que trotan sin desmayo.

3. También veo los adoquines
Con que formaron tus calles,
Veo tus pueblos y ciudades
Con los cuales te defines.
Te trazan ferrocarriles,
Carreteras y caminos;
Danzan al viento molinos
Y el humo de tus centrales
Pinta los cañaverales
Con alegres remolinos.

4. Y es que yo veo en la distancia
La tierra con la que sueño,
El Edén al que yo quiero
Como cuna de mi infancia,
A ese pedazo de patria
Que ha quedado tan lejano
Y al mismo tiempo cercano
Al corazón y la mente;
Y por eso, con mi gente,
A Camagüey recordamos.

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13. Provinces of Cuba - Oriente

PROVINCE OF ORIENTE

The province of Oriente is located at the east end of the island of Cuba. It has an area of 14, 641 square miles and covers approximately one third of the island, is the largest of the provinces of Cuba. Conquistador Diego Velázquez founded its capital, Santiago de Cuba, in 1514, other major cities are Bayamo, Holguin, Las Tunas, Guantanamo and Manzanillo. The most notable area is Sierra Maestra, crowned by the famous Pico Turquino (6, 480 ft), the highest point in Cuba. Some interesting places are Santuario del Cobre, Puerto Boniato, Rio Cauto, Puerto Padre and Port of Manatee. Some important products of agriculture in Oriente are sugar cane and coffee, followed by cocoa, bananas, plantains and some mineral sources.

ORIENTE CUBANO

1. Yo tengo en el corazón
Un dolor que me tortura,
Que me llena de amargura
Y me nubla la razón,
Es porque siento pasión
Por el Oriente cubano
Que allá quedó tan lejano,
Y en las noches me desvelo,
Pensando pisar tu suelo
“tierra caliente” que amo.

2. Será hermoso algún día
Poder regresar de un salto
Con la frente bien en alto
Al llano y la cerrería,
Donde disfrutar podría
Otra vez de la certeza
Del monte con su belleza,
El pueblo, el campo y el río,
Las playas y el lomerío
De la gran Sierra Maestra.

3. ¿Qué decir de la Gran Piedra
Que está plantada en el filo
Del majestuoso Turquino
Que es de Oriente la grandeza?
¿O si ves de las mesetas
Los frondosos cafetales
Crecer entre los frutales
Que puedes tomar a mano,
Mientras contemplas del llano
Los verdes cañaverales?

4. La Farola es un sinfín
De tantas curvas que matan
Cuando en busca de malangas
Tú a Baracoa quieres ir.
Hay pinos en Mayarí,
Está Guantánamo y Palma,
Bayamo, Tunas, Chaparra,
Puerto Padre y Manatí,
El Caney, Santiago, Holguín
Y los altos de Gibara.

5. Extraño el marabú,
La palma, la ceiba, el mango,
Del Río Cauto ver el fango,
O el Cerro de Caisimú.
Disfrutar de un buen fufú
O de un plato de tamales,
Con la brisa en los portales,
Símbolo de libertad
Del guajiro y la bondad
De todos los orientales.

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12. Religion in Cuba

There are many religions in Cuba but no one predominates, from Christianity to Santeria, with some hints of Buddhist rituals and some Afro Cuban ... for instance, we have only to look at the Virgin of Charity of the El Cobre, adored and worshiped inside and outside the island, for ones is the Holy Mother of Jesus, for others the Orisha Ochun, goddess of love, and for most, Cachita, La Virgen de la Caridad, the patron of Cuba.

Christianity is the religion most practiced, but only about 44 percent of the population adhere to it. Approximately 25 percent of the populations follow different Santeria religions, and a lot have no religion.

They say that Cuba is traditionally a Catholic country, but there are a number of Protestant religions that have their Churches in good condition of conservation, have outreach to the community, and their ranks are growing every day, such as Adventist Church, Baptist Church, Episcopal Church, Methodist, Anglican and Presbyterian Churches, and many other Protestant Denominations.

Here are some interesting links to churches in Cuba:

http://www.tagnet.org/iasdsc/

http://www.cuba.anglican.org/

http://www.virgendelacaridaddelcobre.org/

http://www.palabranueva.net/

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11. Cuban Music History

CUBAN MUSIC

More than 500 years ago, Cuban Tainos, indigenous people who lived in Cuba, used maracas and guiro, among the musical instruments of areito (music and dance ceremony), which today provide the distinctive percussion that characterizes many sounds and mixes of Cuban music.

Cuba has developed a wide range of creoles musical styles, on the basis of our cultural origins in Europe and Africa. Since the nineteenth century our music has been very popular and influential around the world. Has perhaps been the most popular form of music in the world since the introduction of recording technology.

Cuban music, including instruments and dances, is mostly from Europe (Spain) and African origin. Most forms today are fusions and mixtures of these two great sources. Almost nothing remains of the Indian traditions, except maracas and guiros and some places' names.

Not much is known about the popular music of Cuba before the year 1800. Manuel Saumell (born 1817) wrote some piano pieces of dance that paved the way for the concert of classical music in Cuba. Some notable Cuban composers of the twentieth century classics include composer Ernesto Lecuona (born 1896), Argeliers Leon (born 1918), who was also an ethnomusicologist, Aurelio de la Vega (born 1925) and many others.

Today, Cuban popular music and dance styles are salsa, son, rumba, mambo and cha-cha-cha, among others. The instruments used are the claves, maracas, guiro, piano and guitars, as well as various drums, including bongos.

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10. Cuban Heroes Of The Independence

CUBAN HEROES

Jose Marti

José Julián Martí Pérez (Full name) (January 28, 1853–May 19, 1895) was a Cuban national hero and an important figure in Latin American literature. In his short life he was a poet, an essayist, a journalist, a philosopher, a translator, a professor, a publisher, and a political theorist. Through his writings and political activity, he became a symbol for Cuba's war for independence against Spain in the 19th century, and we call him "the Apostle".

Carlos Manuel de Cespedes

Carlos Manuel de Cespedes del Castillo (April 18, 1819 Bayamo, Oriente – February, 1874 San Lorenzo, Oriente). On October 10, 1868 Cespedes started the First War of Independence (10 years war) against Spain by freeing his slaves at his sugar mill estate "La Demajagua" in the province of Oriente. He proclaimed the Independence of Cuba in front of the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall) in Bayamo. Cespedes died in a Spanish ambush.

Ignacio Agramonte

Ignacio Agramonte y Loynáz (1841—1873) was a cattle rancher who led the war against Spain in the province of Camaguey in the First War of Independence (10 years war)which started in 1868. In July rebel forces under Agramonte bombarded Camaguey. Four years later he was killed in action against the Spanish forces.

Antonio Maceo

José Antonio Maceo y Grajales (full name) was born in June, 14, 1845 in Santiago de Cuba. At the end of the First War of Independence (10 years war) in Feb, 1878 he didn't agree with the pact with Spain. After this "Protest of Baragua" he fought another three months before he went into exile. On Apr 1, 1895 he came back by boat to start the Second War of Independence together with Jose Marti and Maximo Gomez, who had landed in Playitas de Cajobabo. Maceo was killed in the battle of San Pedro, on Dec 7, 1896.

Calixto Garcia

Calixto García e Iñiguez (August 4, 1839 – December 11, 1898) was born in Holguin, province of Oriente. In the First War of Independence (10 years war) against Spain he captured Holguin. At the end of the Second War of Independence in 1898 he was about to repeat this, when the USA actions in the War forced him to rush to Santiago de Cuba to help the USA-army. When finish that task Calixto went back to Holguin and occupied the city, again...

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09. Cuban Voted Presidents

PRESIDENTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA

01. Tomas Estrada Palma (May 20, 1902 to Sep 28, 1906)

02. Jose Miguel Gomez (Jan 28, 1909 to May 20, 1913)

03. Mario Garcia Menocal (May 20, 1913 to May 20, 1921)

04. Alfredo Zayas (May 20, 1921 to May 20, 1925)

05. Gerardo Machado (May 20, 1925 to Aug 24, 1933)

06. Ramon Grau San Martin (Sep 10, 1933 to Jan 15, 1934)

07. Miguel Mariano Gomez (May 20, 1936 to Dec 24, 1936)

08. Federico Laredo Bru (Dec 24, 1936 to Oct 10, 1940)

09. Fulgencio Batista (Oct 10, 1940 to Oct 10, 1944)

10. Ramon Grau San Martin (Oct 10, 1944 to Oct 10, 1948)

11. Carlos Prio Socarras (Oct 10, 1948 to Mar 10, 1952)

12. Fulgencio Batista (Feb 24, 1955 to Jan 01, 1959)

Some others were Provisional Presidents like:

Alberto Herrera y Franchi (Aug, 1933)

Carlos Manuel de Cespedes y Quesada (Aug-Sep, 1933)

Carlos Hevia (Jan, 1934)

Manuel Marquez Sterling y Loret de Mola (Jan 18, 1934)

Carlos Mendieta (Jan, 1934-Dec, 1935)

Jose Agripino Barnet (Dec, 1935-May, 1936)

Fulgencio Batista (Mar, 1952-Feb, 1955)

Anselmo Alliegro (Jan 1 and 2, 1959)

Carlos Manuel Piedra (Jan 2, 1959)

We can also name de Executive Comision of the Provisional Goverment of Cuba (Sep 5-10, 1933)

Ramon Grau San Martin,

Guillermo Portela y Moller,

Jose Miguel Irisarri y Gamio,

Sergio Carbo y Morera, and

Porfirio Franca y Alvarez de la Campa.

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08. My Wife's Cuban Soups

CUBAN TROPICAL SOUP (AJIACO CRIOLLO)

You'll need:
1 lb bones with meat, 4 quarts water, 1 tbsp salt, 2 ears of corn cut in small pieces, 2 green plantains, peeled, quartered, sprinkled with lemon juice, 2 lbs yucca, 2 lbs ñame, 2 malangas, 2 white sweet potatoes (boniatos), ½ small squash, all peeled and cut in small pieces, 1 packet Sazón con Azafrán, 1 (6 oz.) sofrito.

How to:

In large pot, combine meat, bones, water and salt, bring to boil, lower heat and cook for 1 hour. Stir in corn and green plantain, yucca, ñame and malanga, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, sazón and sofrito. Cook 1 hour or until all vegetables are tender.

RED BEANS SOUP (POTAJE)

You'll need:

2 cans red beans drained and rinsed, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 clove of garlic (minced), 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp cumin or to taste, 1 bay leave, 1 packet sazon complete, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp adobo with pepper, 1 cup water.

How to:

In a pot on medium, combine all ingredients, bring to boil, lower heat and simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes, or until desired consistency.

BLACK BEANS SOUP (POTAJE DE FRIJOLES NEGROS)

You'll need:

2 cans black beans drained and rinsed, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 clove of garlic (minced), 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp cumin or to taste, 1 bay leave, 1 packet sazon complete, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp adobo with pepper, 1 cup water.

How to:
In a pot on medium, combine all ingredients, bring to boil, lower heat and simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes, or until desired consistency.

HEN SOUP ORIENTE STYLE (CALDOSA DE LAS TUNAS)

You'll need:

½ hen, 2 yuccas, 3 potatoes, 2 green plantains, 1 malanga, 4 cloves garlic, 1 onion, 2 green peppers, 3 tbsp tomato sauce, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp of sofrito, 1 pinch of cumin, 2 tbsp oil, 1 tbsp mustard, 4 l water, 3 lemons, salt to taste

How to:

Wash the hen and leave it whole. Peel the root vegetables (viandas), wash and cut them well and put it in a pot with water. In a suitable container with hot oil, cook the hen, then add the remaining ingredients and cook until the hen is almost tender, remove the bones and shred it. Add the root vegetables (viandas) and let them cook until puree. Add the salt to taste and garnish with sliced lemon.

GREEN PLANTAIN SOUP (SOPA DE PLATANOS)

You'll need:

2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 1 onion, 2 cloves garlic, 5 cups chicken stock, 2 green plantains, peeled and diced, 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp ground cumin, salt & pepper to taste

How to:

Heat the oil in a large heavy saucepan. Cut the onion and garlic and cook over medium heat until soft. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Cut the green plantains into little cubes and add them with bay leaf, cumin, salt and pepper. Return soup to a boil. Reduce heat and gently simmer, uncovered, until plantains are very tender, remove and discard the bay leaf. Puree the plantains and return it to the pot. Serve with green plantains chips (mariquitas)

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07. My Wife's Cuban Rice

CUBAN RICE AND RED BEANS (CONGRI ORIENTAL)

You’ll need:
½ lb red beans, 1 bay leaf, 1 small onion, 3 cachucha peppers chopped, 4 cloves garlic, ½ tsp oregano, 2 beef bouillon, 1lb parboiled rice, 1½ liter water , 1 tbsp salt.

How to:
In a pressure cooker add red beans, water, salt and bay leaf, cook until tender (about 15 min). In another pot, sauté onions and peppers until onions are translucent then add garlic and oregano stir, add beans, rice and stir again, add water from the beans enough to cover it along with the beef bouillon. Cook until it boils, then reduce the heat and simmer covered, until rice is tender, approx 25 min.

CUBAN RICE AND BLACK BEANS (MOROS Y CRISTIANOS)

You’ll need:
½ lb black beans, 1 bay leaf, 1 small onion, 3 cachucha peppers chopped, 4 cloves garlic, ½ tsp oregano, 2 beef bouillon, 1lb parboiled rice, 1½ liter water , 1 tbsp salt.

How to:
In a pressure cooker add black beans, water, salt and bay leaf, cook until tender (about 15 min). In another pot, sauté onions and peppers until onions are translucent then add garlic and oregano stir, add beans, rice and stir again, add water from the beans enough to cover it along with the beef bouillon. Cook until it boils, then reduce the heat and simmer covered, until rice is tender, approx 25 min.

YELLOW RICE AND CHICKEN (ARROZ CON POLLO)

You’ll need:

1 chicken, ¼ cup oil, 2 onions chopped, 4 cloves of garlic (minced), 2 chopped tomatoes, 2 chopped bell peppers, 1 bay leaf, 1 lb parboiled rice, 1 can of petit-poi, 1 can pimentos, roasted saffron, salt and pepper to taste.
How to:
Boil chicken and tear into small pieces. Put oil in a pot, when hot, add the onion and garlic, stir and add the tomatoes. Add the pepper and bay leaf. Stir until the sauce is on point. Add the chicken pieces, stir for a while in the sauce until close to golden brown. Cover with 1 ¼ liter of water colored with saffron. Let it boil for a while until the chicken is almost tender. Add rice, petit-poi and half off peppers. Season it with salt and pepper to taste and cover it, simmer until rice is soft. Remove it from heat and let it finish in the pot. Decorate with the remaining peppers.

YELLOW RICE WITH COD (ARROZ CON BACALAO)

You’ll need:
1 lb of parboiled rice, 2 lb of cod, 1 large onion, 6 cloves of garlic, 2 green pepper, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, ¼ cup of oil, salt to taste.
How to:
Soak cod for 6 h, cut into small pieces, cook in 2 ½ liters of water, until soft. Strain the broth and store until use. Clean the cod and get rid of skin and bones. Chop the spices and add in hot oil. Add the tomato paste and rice washing and sauté everything for 5 min., add the hot broth, correct salt, wait until boiling, and then stir well. Lower the heat and let rice cook covered for 30 min.

VEGGIE RICE (ARROZ CON VEGETALES)

You’ll need:
1 lb parboiled rice, 2 medium carrots, ½ cup green beans, ½ cup sweet corn, 1 cup chopped squash, 1 large onion, 4 cloves garlic, 2 medium bell peppers, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, tomatoes, 4 cups of broth, 4 tablespoons oil, salt to taste.
How to:
Peel, wash and cut vegetables into small cubes, cut the onion, peppers and tomatoes in a little more, in hot oil, put the spices and stir until wilted; incorporates tomato paste, tomatoes and keep mixing for 2 minutes. Add rice, stir over 2 min, add the vegetable broth and the hot salt, lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

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06. My Wife's Cuban Beef

CASSEROLE STEAK (BISTEC EN CAZUELA)

You'll need:
4 sirloin steaks, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 lemon ,1/2 onion, 1/2 pepper, 3 tablespoons oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground pepper, ¼ cup tomato sauce, ½ cup dry wine.

How to:
Pound the meat and marinate it in lemon juice and crushed garlic. Stir fry the marinated meat with onion and pepper until the onion is translucent. Add the remains of the marinate and the rest of the ingredients. Cover the pot and simmer until the meat is tender, about 25-30 minutes.

GRIELLED SHREDDED BEEF (VACA FRITA)

You'll need:
1 1/2 lbs flank steak, 1 bell pepper, 2 white onions, 1 bay leaf, 2 garlic cloves, smashed, salt, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 3 tbs olive oil, ground black pepper.

How to:
Boil to tender the flank steak and let cool. Shred the meat and transfer to a bowl. Mash the garlic to a paste with 1/2 tsp of salt. Stir the paste into the meat, along with the lemon juice, olive oil, and sliced onion. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. Heat a large griddle until very hot. Working in batches, spread the shredded beef on the griddle in a thin layer and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook over high heat, turning once or twice, until sizzling and crispy in spots, about 6 minutes per batch. Transfer to a platter and serve.

SHREDDED BEEF (ROPA VIEJA)

You'll need:
1 1/2 lbs flank steak, 1/3 cup oil, 1 onion, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 bell pepper, 1 cup tomato sauce, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 bay leaf, ½ cup dry wine.

How to:
Boil to tender and shred the meat. Slice the onion into thin rings and the pepper into strips. Crush the garlic, saute the onion and bell pepper in hot oil, add the garlic, the meat and the remaining ingredients. Cook covered over low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent from sticking.

GROUND BEEf (PICADILLO)

You'll need:
1lb ground beef, ¼ cup oil, 1 onion, 1 bell pepper, 2 clove of garlic, ¼ cup green olives, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 dash of ground black pepper, ½ cup tomato sauce, ¼ cup dry wine.

How to:
Saute the chopped onion, the crushed garlic and the pepper in the oil; add the meat and cook for a few minutes, stirring constantly to prevent the meat from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Add the remaining ingredients and cook over medium heat for about 20 minutes.

CUBAN BEEF STEW (CARNE CON PAPAS)

You'll need:
¼ cup oil, 1 white onion, cut into small cubes, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 1 chopped green pepper, 1 cup chopped canned tomatoes, 1 tablespoon dry oregano, 1 tablespoon dry cilantro, 3 lbs beef top round, cut into 1-inch cubes, 1 cup dry sherry, 4 large peeled potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes, salt and white pepper.

How to:
In a skillet, heat oil and sauté onions, add garlic, peppers, tomatoes, spices meat and sauté for 5 more minutes. Add sherry and simmer, uncovered, 5 min. Add potatoes and water to cover. Let simmer until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.

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05. Cuban Flora & Fauna Symbols

La Mariposa (Butterfly Jasmine):

The Hedychiun Coronarium (originally from Asia) is the Cuban National Flower, symbol of the Cuban flora since women patriots started using the white one as a code on the nineteenth century. Has a wonderful aroma and can be found in various colors. Used in bridal bouquets, decorations in churches and homes in Cuba. Especially abundant in spring and summer when the weather is very rainy.

La Palma Real (Royal Palm):

Royal palm (Roystonea Regia) is the National Tree, it's tall, with very large leaves that resemble big feathers, there are around 12 different species, but the Roystonea Regia is considered the most beautiful of all varieties. Royal Palm is only one among the 70 species of palm trees that adorn the Cuban fields. If we add about 20 subspecies and others that have not been described yet, we can say that the island has hundreds of native palms and a figure above 90 percent are endemic.

El Tocororo (Cuban Trogon):

This bird is considered a National Symbol, because its beautiful white plumage on the chest, red and blue in the rest of the body, as the colors of the Cuban flag, while green cover his back. The wings have white stripes, its tail shows a peculiar aspect, as if where cut with scissors and has feathers in the upper jaw. The eyes are colored red. It is medium sized (10 inches), cannot live in captivity and has only been seen in Cuban forests. Does not build a nest, but usually uses the abandoned holes of woodpeckers or natural cavities in trees or palms, and feeds mainly in flowers, but also on buds and fruits. You can find it in almost all Cuban provinces, from the plain areas of Pinar del Rio to Sierra Maestra. The Priotelus Temnurus (Tocororo) is the Cuban National Bird.

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04. The Cuban National Anthem

The Cuban National Anthem was composed by Pedro (Perucho) Figueredo and orchestrated by Maestro Manuel Muñoz Cedeño. Born as The Bayamesa, or Hymn of Bayamo was sang for the first time on Thursday, June 11, 1868, on the Central Church (Iglesia Mayor), in Bayamo, Cuba. On October the 10th began the Ten Years' War. On October 18, the patriotic army started taking Bayamo and, right before midnight, on October the 20th, they signed the capitulation of the Spanish forces. Then this hymn became popular and the cuban people took it as his call to fight for the freedom of the motherland. Is the song more beloved by the Cubans, here and there, a battle song that identifies our war culture, which inflame our spirit to fight using a pen, a blog or a machete.

English Lyrics:

To the battle, oh Bayamo’s people,

your homeland proudly sees you

no have to fear a glorious death,

cause to die for the country is to live.

To live chained is to live

plunged in the shame and dishonor;

you can hear the sound of the clarion

to the arms, braves ones, to the arms.

Spanish Lyrics:

Al combate corred bayameses

que la patria os comtempla orgullosa

no temais una muerte gloriosa

que morir por la patria es vivir.

En cadenas vivir es vivir

en afrenta y oprobio sumidos

del clarin escuchad el sonido

a las armas valientes corred.

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03. The Cuban Coat of Arms

The Cuban Coat of Arms (el Escudo) was created in 1849 by Miguel Teurbe Tolon y de la Guardia but it wasn’t established by decreed until April 21st, 1906, under the government of the first Cuban President, Tomas Estrada Palma. Is the Nation’s Symbol and it’s formed by three spaces or divisions crowned by the liberty cap, representing the human principal rights: Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. The upper and horizontal space represents an open sea with two capes (Florida and Mexico) surrounding a key (Cuba) with a rising sun as a golden background, reminding us the geographical position of the island as a key opening the Gulf of Mexico. The left bottom part contains the blue and white stripes for the three original departments: Western, Central and Eastern provinces. Last but not least the beautiful countryside picture in the right division, a valley among rivers and mountains with a majestic and graceful Royal Palm Tree, the national tree of the country. The oak branch represents the nation’s strength and the laurel wreath, honor and glory…

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02. The Cuban Flag

The Cuban Flag born as an idea of the General Narciso Lopez (Venezuela, Sept. 13, 1798) when he joined Cuba’s independence cause back in 1848 or 1849 in New York City, as the two versions said. He got the idea and went to see a friend of his, the poet and patriot Miguel Teurbe Tolon, who designed the flag which was sewn by his sister Emilia as is follow: Three blue and two white stripes, a red triangle and a white star. The blue stripes represent the three original provinces: Western, Central and Eastern, the white ones stand for the justice and purity, and the lone star in a red triangle was representing the unity of the patriots upon the blood of the heroes. It was in Matanzas, the town known as the Cuban Athens, where the Cuban flag was hoisted for the first time, in 1850. More than fifty years later, on May 20, 1902, the Narciso and Miguel’s flag was officially named: The Cuban National Flag. The law of National Symbols says: "[...] its shape is rectangular, twice length than width, composed by five horizontal stripes having all the same width, three deep blue and two white, placed alternatively. A red equilateral triangle, one of its vertical edges occupying the whole height of the flag and constituting its fixed edge. The triangle bears in its center a five-pointed white star, within an imaginary circle, whose diameter is the third of the flag´s height, having one of its points towards the free upper edge of the flag."

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01. The Republic of Cuba

The Republic of Cuba is a country formed by the Isla de Cuba (the main island), the Isla de Pinos (Isle of Youth) and more than 4 000 keys and small islands. Cuba is located where the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean meets. Cuba is 90 miles south of Key West, United States, 77 miles west of Haiti, and 134 miles east of Mexico. The Cayman Islands and Jamaica are south of Cuba. The island of Cuba is 780 miles in length, and its width varies between 20 and 131 miles, and has approximately 3 625 miles of coastline. Its elongated shape has been many times compared with an alligator. The capital of Cuba is La Habana (Havana). The country was originally divided into six provinces (although the current count reaches fourteen) (Oriente, Camaguey, Las Villas, Matanzas, La Habana and Pinar del Rio). The highest point is Pico Turquino, in Sierra Maestra (almost 6500 ft.) and the largest river is El Cauto, also located in the province of Oriente (230 miles). There are about 11 250 000 inland residents, and it is said that 50 percent are women (50/50). The official language is Spanish. Below you can find a list of the national emblems:

The Cuban Flag: -- 'The Lone Star'-banner
The Cuban Coat of Arms: --Honor and Glory

The Cuban Anthem:-

The Cuban National Tree:- -The Royal Palm

The Cuban National Bird: --The Tocororo

The Cuban National Flower: --The Mariposa

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