Since Christopher Columbus' discovery five centuries ago, and its strategic location and agricultural wealth, Cuba has become a coveted gem. And by mid 1800's its sugar production supplied one third of the world needs. And who could forget the Cuban cigar?
Cuba is just across the channel from Florida, yet information comes in trickles maybe because it has adapted isolationist measures since it became a communist state in 1961. This single act of Fidel Castro sent over a million refugees to the shores of the United States. Thus when Fidel Castro resigned in February 2008, some forms of access was allowed, most prominent of which is the use of the cellular phone.
When hurricane Gustav visited Cuba a couple of weeks ago, a major portion of its infrastructure were damaged, power lines were toppled, hundreds became homeless and flooding not experienced in its history inundated the countryside. Major consideration was afforded to its tourism facilities that have somehow injected fresh hope to the ailing economy, but Cuba is resilient, thanks in part to Canadian, European, and Latin American investments.
Millions of tourists visit Cuba annually, to see the thousand species of plants and animals that are endemic only to the country. Plus, the nation is home to protected natural areas that take up about 22% of the countryside and is the habitat for crocodiles, flamingos, orchids and many more.
Politically however, the Cuban Government still restricts human freedoms, although some religious concessions were restored in 1998, as Christmas, December 25 was reinstated as a national holiday.
Thus when expatriates return home after almost half a century, they will find the
Cuban National Flag, hoisted and waving to welcome the long lost son's and daughter's under a new atmosphere.
by:
The Flagman
