CUBA
The pearl of the Caribbean
History
The history of Cuba begins with the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492 and has largely marked by strained relationships with the United States.
Havana - the capital
The city of Havana was founded by the Spanish in the 16th century and due to its strategic location it served as a springboard for the Spanish conquest of the continent becoming a stopping point for the treasure laden Spanish Galleons on the crossing between the New Worldand theOld World. King Phillip the IV of Spain granted Havana the title of City in 1592.Walls as well as forts were built to protect the old city. The sinking of the U.S. Battleship the Maine in Havana's harbor in 1898 was the immediate cause of the Spanish-American War.
Cuban National Anthem - "La Bayamesa" (ES/EN)
Education
Following the 1959 revolution, the Castro government nationalized all educational institutions, and created a system operated entirely by the government. Strong ideological content is present, with the constitution stating that educational and cultural policy is based on Maxist ideology