Rainforests also thrive in Cuba, especially in the eastern part of the island. Along the southern coast, large mangrove swamps provide nursery waters for fish and important habitat for birds.

Cuba is a one-party state with the Communist Party of Cuba as the “leading force of society and of the state” under the national constitution, although elections are nominally non-partisan.

RepublicUnitary stateSocialist statePresidential systemSemi-presidential system

Biodiversity Facts Cuba has a large variety of ecosystems (42 types) and landscapes (23 types), ranging from arid and semi-arid land to humid tropical forests and mountains.

Ecosystems and Greater Resilience There are more than 1,000 square miles of coral reefs in Cuba. These and other marine and coastal ecosystems, like mangroves, provide natural protection for coastlines against erosion, flooding and other impacts of climate change.

As one scientist put it, Cuba is the “biological superpower” of the Caribbean. The island has the largest tracts of untouched rain forest, unspoiled reefs and intact wetlands in the Caribbean islands. Whether Cuba can continue to remain a holdout is, of course, a great question.

It may be renowned for its politics and its cigars, but Cuba is home to some of the most unusual creatures on earth, including the feisty Cuban crocodile, the world’s smallest bird and frog, and migrating land crabs. Cuba’s diverse wildlife stems from its unique natural history.

North America

Greater Antilles, the four largest islands of the Antilles (q.v.)—Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico—lying north of the Lesser Antilles chain. They constitute nearly 90 percent of the total land area of the entire West Indies.

West Indies

the Caribbean Sea

Demographics. The Antilles were described in 1778 by Thomas Kitchin as once being called the Caribbee Isles in homage to the Carib people who were the islands’ first inhabitants.

“Ayiti,” as it was once called by its native people, means “land of mountains.”m Also labeled “Pearl of the Antilles,” Haiti occupies the western one-third of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. More than 2 million of Haiti’s estimated population of 9.8 million, live in Port-au-Prince.

Trinidad and Tobago

U.S. citizens are generally required to present a valid U.S. passport when traveling to Jamaica, as well as proof of anticipated departure from Jamaica. You do not need a visa for tourist travel up to 90 days. All other travelers will need a visa and/or work permit.

Upon arrival in Aruba, you must have: a U.S. passport valid for the duration of your stay; a completed Embarkation and Disembarkation Card (ED-Card); a return or onward ticket.

Official Currency of Aruba. The official local currency is the Aruban Florin; however, U.S. dollars are widely accepted.

The best time to visit Aruba is from April to August – a huge window of time when the island’s high prices take a holiday. And since the island sits well outside the hurricane belt, there’s very little threat of tropical storms at this time. January to March features pleasant weather, but the room prices can soar.

Hello (General greeting) Bon dia.