The Caribbean nation of Cuba, with a population of approximately 11.2 million (July 2016 est.), is slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The country’s capital city is Havana, and Spanish is Cuba’s official language.
Since President Obama’s administration re-established diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States in 2015, Americans have shown increasing curiosity about Cuban culture and everyday life.
The following collection of photos offers striking glimpses into the Cuban lifestyle.
Cuban Lifestyle
Havana is home to more than 2 million residents and is one of the largest cities in the Caribbean.
Cuba has a literacy rate of nearly 100% (at 99.8%). Education is compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 15.
Brightly colored classic American cars from the 1950s are an iconic part of Cuban life — and a favorite among car collectors.
For decades, restrictions on foreign vehicle imports limited the availability of newer cars, helping preserve these vintage automobiles on Cuban streets. Those restrictions were eased in 2013.
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Music and dance are integral to Cuban culture and lifestyle.
Classic dances such as the cha-cha-cha, bolero, and mambo have deep roots in Cuba and have influenced music and dance around the world.
Cuban music itself reflects a rich blend of European and African traditions, shaped over centuries into uniquely Cuban forms.
Cuban cigars are internationally renowned, and considered among the finest in the world.
Cuba is a diverse, multiethnic country. According to the 2012 census, approximately 64.1% of the population identified as White or European, 26.6% as Mulatto or Mestizo, and 9.3% as Black or African.
Havana is home to one of the country’s largest Afro-Cuban communities.
Varadero, located on the Hicacos Peninsula and famous for its beautiful beaches, is Cuba’s most popular beach resort destination. Its white sand and turquoise waters attract visitors from around the world.
Watch Cuban Lifestyle Documentary | Reinventing Cuba
Religion and spirituality are also important aspects of Cuban life. Cuba is home to Roman Catholics, Protestants, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jews, practitioners of Santería, and other religious communities.
Christmas, which was once removed from the list of official holidays (1969), was restored as a national holiday in 1997.
Tourism has become an increasingly important part of Cuba’s economy. In 2015, a record 3.1 million international tourists visited the country, representing a 17.6% increase from the previous year.
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