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Este

Background: The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the European discovery of the island by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492 and following its development as a Spanish colony during the next several centuries. Large numbers of African slaves were imported to work the coffee and sugar plantations and Havana became the launching point for the annual treasure fleets bound for Spain from Mexico and Peru. Spanish rule was severe and exploitative and occasional rebellions were harshly suppressed. It was US intervention during the Spanish-American War in 1898 that finally overthrew Spanish rule. The subsequent Treaty of Paris established Cuban independence, which was granted in 1902 after a three-year transition period. Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959; his iron rule has held the regime together since then. Cuba's Communist revolution, with Soviet support, was exported throughout Latin America and Africa during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The country is now slowly recovering from a severe economic recession in 1990, following the withdrawal of former Soviet subsidies, worth $4 billion to $6 billion annually. Cuba portrays its difficulties as the result of the US embargo in place since 1961. Illicit migration to the US - using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, air flights, or via the southwest border - is a continuing problem. The US Coast Guard intercepted 1,498 individuals attempting to cross the Straits of Florida in 2004.



Links: Este Travel Blogs (35) | Este Travel Photos | Map of Este | Cuba Travel Forum | Cuba Facts | Map of Cuba

Areas in Este: Baracoa | Guantánamo | Holguín | Manzanillo | Pico Turquino | Santiago de Cuba | Victoria de las Tunas

Some pictures from after the hurricanes in Baracoa
September 20th 2008  Central America Caribbean » Cuba » Este » Baracoa
These pictures were taken by a host of ours in Santiago, Dr Pedro A Lobaina Delfino. Please do not reproduce them without permission. He was in Baracoa shortly after the second hurricane, Ike, hit ... 32 photos [full story]

Disaster Zone #1, and a lovely quiet, friendly town
September 20th 2008  Central America Caribbean » Cuba » Este » Baracoa
Baracoa, one of the most heavily hurricane hit places in Cuba. We werent even sure if we would be able to travel here. Not so much if the road would be open, but if there would be services for touri ... 17 photos [full story]

Hot weather and cool cars in the hero city of Cuba
September 18th 2008  Central America Caribbean » Cuba » Este » Santiago de Cuba
Santiago de Cuba...home of the best Cuban music...but could we find any?! We were met off the bus from Trinidad by a hospitality club contact, Lianne, who had found us a lovely casa particular a fe ... 8 photos [full story]

July 5th 2008  Central America Caribbean » Cuba » Este » Baracoa
So I just spent 2 days in Santiago de Cuba...didn't like it from the moment I arrived at 6:30 in the morning after a freezing 15 hour bus ride with the craziest soundtrack ever (courtesy of the very f ... [full story]

162 days ago: negativegorilla published a blog
Adelante trabajadores!
May 3rd 2008  Central America Caribbean » Cuba » Este » Holguín
Hola! Olen Bayamossa, enka Holguinissa kuten otsikko vaittaa. Travelblog ei vain tiennyt taman kaupungin olemassaolosta. Netti on Kuubassa kallista ja hidasta joten kirjoitan vain tallaisen lyhyen tek ... [full story]

169 days ago: friedemann published a blog
via santiago & hitchin' the caribbean
April 26th 2008  Central America Caribbean » Cuba » Este » Santiago de Cuba
pictures coming! ... [full story]

173 days ago: friedemann published a blog
guantanamo and that bay
April 23rd 2008  Central America Caribbean » Cuba » Este » Guantánamo
pictures coming! Armed with our information from yesterday, bathing clothes, sun cream, anti-Bush shirts and a camera we decide to go as near to Guantanamo Bay as possible. On the train station t ... [full story]

182 days ago: Amy and Simon published a blog
El Ultimo, queueing Cuban style!
April 13th 2008  Central America Caribbean » Cuba » Este » Santiago de Cuba
Hi all Time to update you on the thrills and spills from Cuba. I think Amy last wrote on our last day in Trinidad. Reluctant to leave Trinidad but feeling we should move on we continued east to ... [full story]


Este Blog Entries

randomest shop ever
cocoa pod
man and horse crossing river
resting en route to boca de yurumi
my painting!
Museo de la Imagen
Casa de las Religiones Populares
Anyone...

Cuba

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Hostels in Cuba
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Blogging Este




Cuba Travel Forum
money
advice on hotels and resorts in cuba
Has any body been to Cayo Saetia
Can i take a gift to the cubans ?
The way to do Cuba - pre book hotel ?
Looking for somewhere to stay
Finding OFAC sanctioned trips to Cuba?
Taking family to Cuba
Tips for Cash in Cuba
Eating Well in Cuba
Tips for Cuba please
Trying to find a guided group tour of Cuba?
Casa Particular in Cuba
Cuba from the States
travel agencies in havana cuba






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