Cuba — Capital, Flag and Country Facts

Explore Cuba: capital Havana, population, flag, geography, languages, history and culture.

Cuba is in North America. Its capital is Havana.

Climate

Tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season November to April; rainy season May to October

Mostly flat to rolling plains with rugged hills and mountains in the southeast

Cuba has one of the highest literacy rates in the world at 99.8%.

Classic American cars from the 1950s still fill Cuban streets as everyday transportation.

Cuba has more doctors per capita than almost any other country in the world.

1492: Christopher Columbus lands on Cuba and claims it for Spain

1898: Spain cedes Cuba to the US after the Spanish-American War

1902: Cuba gains formal independence

1959: Fidel Castro leads the Cuban Revolution and overthrows Batista

1962: Cuban Missile Crisis brings the world to the brink of nuclear war

2015: US and Cuba restore diplomatic relations after 54 years