Located just 145 km/90 mi l es south of Florida, Cuba and its 1,600 smaller islands and cays make up the largest country in the Greater Antilles. The main island is about 1,260 km/770 miles in length and between 32 and 195 km/20 and 120 miles wide. It covers 110,860 square km/43,000square miles. The country is shaped like a crocodile or lizard. Its shores run for 3,700 km/2,300 miles and are touched by the Atlantic to the north and east, the Caribbean to the south, and the Gulf of Mexico to the west. Cuba has almost 300 beaches.

The Republic of Cuba is a communist state (but called socialist by most) with the seat of government in Havana. Fidel Castro, the iconic Cuban dictator, ruled the island from 1959 until recently.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, aid to Cuba from that quarter stopped, the economy fell and the people suffered a severe depression. It is said that all Cubans lost about 10 pounds during this crises. After the 9/11 attack on the United States, tourism also dropped. And to further exacerbate the Cuban plight, the American embargo has caused no end of economic hardships.

However, Cubans have not lost their sense of humor. Cuba today owes $1.97 billion to European countries, which accounts for 85% of its foreign debt. The Cuban theory: "The more Cuba owes, the less likely those countries will lean toward the American way of thinking."

Also, Cubans can laugh at themselves. The ubiquitous quip: There is one doctor for every 40 people, one teacher for every 25, and one policeman for everyone.

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