CUBA

Land People History Today

L AND C aribbean island about the size of PA. Tropical climate Fertile farmland 3 rd largest producer of sugar in the world

P EOPLE Language: Spanish Religion: Roman Catholic

H ISTORY Spanish colony that won independence in the leader Batista was overthrown by rebel groups. The leader of the rebels, Fidel Castro, took over Cuba became a communist country under Castro’s rule. The government took over all businesses and land. Anyone who disagreed with the government went to jail. Large numbers of Cubans left and settled in Miami, FL.

H ISTORY 1960’s- Cuba became allies with the Soviet Union. This caused tension between the United States and Cuba because of the Cold War.

T ODAY The United States does not agree with communist Cuba so any Cuban that makes it to US shores gets to stay! The US also does not trade with Cuba. This is called an embargo. In 2008, Fidel Castro stepped down as dictator because he was sick and his brother Raul Castro took over. Today Cuba is still communist and we don’t know if Fidel is alive or dead?

W ORD S PLASH Do you know what the following words mean? Put each one in a sentence! COMMUNISM embargo Caribbean Castro Cuba