CUBA - GENERAL INFORMATION
Republic of Cuba, state and largest island in the Greater Antilles archipelago. The territory of the Republic of Cuba is 110,861 square meters. km. Cuba is the only socialist state in the Western Hemisphere. Administratively, Cuba (since 1976) is divided into 14 provinces.
CUBA - GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION, NATURE
Republic of Cuba located in the Caribbean Sea, between North and South America and is the gateway to the Gulf of Mexico. The length of the island from west to east is 1200 km. Neighboring countries are Haiti, Jamaica, Florida, Mexico. The Cuban archipelago includes the island of Cuba - the largest in the Antilles, the island of Juventud (Youth Island, former Pinos Island) and 4195 small islands and islets. Having such a long coastal strip, Cuba has 289 natural beaches given by nature to this tropical country. The area of the Republic of Cuba is 111,000 sq. km. The highest point is Pico Real del Turquino - 1,974 m.
Fauna. Characteristic feature Cuban fauna is the complete absence of animals that are poisonous or dangerous to humans. Polymites - mollusks found exclusively in Cuba - are distinguished by their bizarre and eye-catching shell colors. In Cuba Home to the sunsunsito, or fly bird, the smallest bird in the world, as well as the tokororo, the country's national bird. Cuban forests abound in songbirds. About 900 species of fish can be found in the sea, most of them edible. The most valuable of them are pagr, sawfish and blue marlin. Shrimp, crab and lobster are also highly prized.
Flora. The Cuban flora is very rich and extremely diverse. The number of plant species significantly exceeds eight thousand. A characteristic element of the Cuban landscape is the royal palm, depicted on the coat of arms of the republic. The national tree of Cuba is the Jagruma, and the Mariposa is its national flower.
- Underwater world of Cuba
Cuba is a fisherman's paradise , scuba divers, biologists and underwater photographers. The fresh and salt waters of the island are home to about 900 species of animals and fish, including dolphin, barracuda, tuna, stingray, swordfish, moray eel and shark. The latter, frankly, never caused any trouble to vacationers. Here they are small and you still need to look for them. Meetings with them are extremely rare. Warm waters are especially loved by jellyfish, octopuses and sea turtles. Oysters and lobsters are objects of industrial and tourist fishing. The greatest pleasure will be given to you by lobsters with their magnificent coral palette and very tasty and tender meat. At the depths you can see black corals. The seabed is strewn with a wide variety of shells. It is officially prohibited to fish with a harpoon in Cuba. But making an agreement through a guide or directly with the boat crew is not a big problem. Officially, you are on a boat trip and it is better not to show off your naval guns before sailing.
CUBA - CAPITAL, LARGEST CITIES
Largest city in Cuba, far superior to the rest in number is the capital of the country, Havana (2.1 million inhabitants in 1989), where more than 20% of the total population of the country lives. Other large cities are Santiago de Cuba (406 thousand people), Camagüey (283 thousand people), Holguin (228 thousand people), Guantanamo (201 thousand people) and Santa Clara (195 thousand people).
CUBA - CLIMATE
Climate of Cuba very favorable, since the island does not have such humidity as in countries with a typical tropical climate, and the heat is moderated by the constantly blowing winds from the ocean. There are no animals dangerous to humans here, and countless fish, birds, and shellfish become not only a delicacy for gourmets, but also the subject of fishing and hunting (including underwater). Temperature in Cuba , all year round almost the same, on average it is 250C in winter and 28-300C in summer. In Cuba, there is rather not a winter and a summer, but a dry and wet season. The heat in the dry season (autumn-winter) is well tolerated, it is even pleasant, which cannot be said about the rainy season (spring-summer), since it is quite humid at this time; not often, but it rains and there is very bright, dazzling sun. Relative humidity 81%. Average temperature - +25.
CUBA - POPULATION
In 1993 - 10,978 thousand people; in December 1997 the population was estimated at 11,094 thousand people.
Culture. In Cuba there are 247 museums, 53 theaters, 354 libraries, 129 art galleries, 350 bookstores, 278 cultural centers.
When Alejo Carpentier, the greatest novelist and, perhaps, the most famous Cuban writer in the world, was asked about the origin of the inhabitants of this land, he answered: “We all got off the ships.”
Conquistadors arrived from Spain on ships across the seas and oceans and short term Almost completely destroyed the indigenous population, victims of arquebuses, merciless diseases and backbreaking labor on the river banks in search of gold that never appeared. In exchange for the labor of the indigenous inhabitants of the island, thousands and thousands of slaves were forcibly brought to Cuba in the holds of slave ships from the African coast of the Gulf of Guinea, from Old Calabar and the Mayombe jungle, who, under the dictates of the whip, ensured the development of the country's sugar economy. In the mid-19th century, Chinese coolies arrived by ship, and shortly before that, French settlers settled in the eastern part of the countries, fleeing through the Windward Strait separating Cuba and Haiti from Toussaint L'Ouverture's revolution.
Then on island - Cuba, ships with Canarian peasants began to arrive, ready to grow aromatic tobacco and tropical fruits; Arabs and Jews took up urban trade; enterprising Spaniards, through marriage and extramarital relationships, mixed with the population of Cuba, which led to the emergence of mestizos. Yucatan Indians, artisans and soldiers from the recently liberated American republics, and even Japanese, Americans and Swedes, united in small agricultural communities, settled here. However, out of all this diversity arose a unity - the concept of nation and nationality, which was gradually defined and finally tempered in the crucible of the struggle for liberation from the colonial yoke. Mixed blood and common aspirations created a unique basis, a special vision of the world, in a word, their own culture. One of the most prominent Cuban thinkers, Don Fernando Ortiz, studied this process and called it transculturation.
If we were to define the essence of Cuban culture, we would have to take into account two main elements: its integrative orientation and its universal vocation. These elements do not exist one without the other.
At the dawn of the nation, in the first decades of the 19th century, the most refined poet of the time sang not only the palm trees - a typical element of our landscape, but also the grandeur of Teocali in Cholula - a monument of pre-Columbian Aztec architecture - and the mighty Niagara Falls in North America. The most universal of all Cubans was the poet José Martí, a man of exceptional personal and social sensitivity. Life of a wanderer - Spain, Mexico, Venezuela, Guatemala.
Sport. Today Cuba is a sports power due to its policy of mass participation in activities various types sports, starting from school.
During Olympic Games in July 1996 Cuba ranked eighth among 197 participating countries, leaving behind large and wealthy developed countries.
Cuba won 9 gold medals, eight silver and the same number of bronze. She became a winner in boxing and in team sports such as baseball and volleyball (women), as well as in judo, weightlifting and classical wrestling.
During the 7th World Athletics Championships organized in Seville, Spain in August 1999 Cuba took sixth place, ahead of dozens of more developed and populous countries.
Cuban athletes consistently rank high at the Central American and Caribbean Games and confirmed this at the last games held in Maracaibo, Venezuela, in August 98, where they won 191 gold medals.
At the 1999 Pan American Games Winnipeg Cuba, having received 157 medals, of which 70 were gold, took second place, beating Canada, the country where these games were held.
Currently, hundreds of Cuban coaches and specialists work in dozens of countries, in some of which athletes have already significantly improved their performance and achieved success in scientific disciplines related to sports.
Cuba - medicine. The infant mortality rate in Cuba is one of the lowest in the world: 7.2 for every thousand births. The life expectancy of Cubans today is 74.7 years.
Now, in the first months after birth, all children receive vaccinations against 12 diseases: polio, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, tuberculosis, typhoid, measles, rubella, mumps, meningitis B and C and hepatitis B.
In Cuba There are 6.7 hospital beds for every thousand inhabitants. Among the advanced medical specialties in Cuba, cardiology should be highlighted - the country has highly qualified specialists and excellent medical institutions of this profile. Not only heart and lung transplant operations have received scientific recognition, but also a new method for installing pacemakers, the number of which exceeds 6 thousand. The rapid growth in international demand for health tourism in Cuba over the past five years can only be explained by its beneficial effects on patients who came here for help - namely, a complete cure or radical relief of their ailments. The ever-expanding health tourism in Cuba is now being enjoyed by visitors from approximately 70 countries on almost all continents.
CUBA - LANGUAGE
The official language is Spanish. However, hotel staff will answer you in English, German, Italian.
CUBA - RELIGION
Church in Cuba separated from the state, and the population is guaranteed freedom of religion. The most common religion is Catholic; there are many churches here that are of great architectural and artistic value, such as the Havana Cathedral, the Church of the Holy Angel and others, in which all relevant religious rites are performed. However, it should be noted that the Afro-Cuban religion also has deep roots here, which was the result of a mixture of African cults brought to Cuba by slaves with the Catholicism of the Spanish colonialists. Don Fernando Ortiz called this phenomenon religious syncretism as a result of the fusion of the cultures of Africa, Spain and Cuba.
This syncretism was born when black slaves, in search of the opportunity to freely practice their religious cults, began to identify their own gods with Catholic saints. This is how the cult of "Regla de Ocha", usually called "Santeria", with its famous "orishas" (deities) arose. And so the white clothes, purity and humility of the Most Pure Virgin of Mercy made it possible to identify her with Obatalage; Yemaya found her equivalent in the Virgin of Regla, Aochun in the Virgin of Kobre; Chango - in St. Barbara; Babalu Aye is identical to Saint Lazarus - the patron saint of the weak. In addition, there are other religious movements, such as “Reglade Palo Monte” with its animistic gods, “Regla Abakua”, which is based on the cult of ancestors, as well as other sects and beliefs that enjoy greater or lesser influence among the population of the country .
The artistic and religious expressions of African slaves became a valuable contribution to the national culture of Cuba, not only in terms of religion, but also in such important aspects of life as cuisine and clothing. They also had a decisive influence on the Cuban character.
CUBA - HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS
January 2 is Liberation Day and the anniversary of the victory of the revolution. May 1 - International Workers' Day, always big celebration in Cuba. July 26 - Day of the start of the national uprising - storming of the Moncada barracks. The famous Havana carnivals take place in the summer, mainly in July. The most famous festivals are held in the fields of cinema, ballet, theater arts and jazz music.
CUBA - KITCHEN
Pork, fried or in other forms, Kogri rice - White rice with black beans, cassava in garlic-lemon sauce, vegetable salad, homemade dessert, fruits of the season.
As for dessert, Cuba has very decent ice cream. We can’t help but remember Cuban coffee. This coffee is very strong and very sweet, it is served in a tiny cup. This tiny “atomic bomb” is to the Cubans what coca leaves are to the Bolivians. In general, the inhabitants of the island have a big sweet tooth.
The most commonly consumed beverage is beer. Along with rum, it can be said to be a national drink. Of the large palette of rums, the most famous is Habana Club. All varieties of rum differ primarily in aging: they are generally divided into 0-3 years; 3-5 years; 5-7 years. Cubans also love juices. However, no wine is produced in Cuba at all.
Please note that food products (fruits, sausages, etc.) cannot be imported into Cuba. As a rule, everything is confiscated at the border.
CUBA - TRANSPORT
In Cuba There are no clear road markings or signs. Service stations are quite rare. There is only one highway: to the east and west of Havana. In Cuba several companies that provide car rentals. The cost of renting a car is not cheap, approximately 55-65 dollars per day, deposit is 100 dollars, gasoline costs 1 dollar per liter, mileage is 100 km per day. The local traffic police are very lenient towards foreigners. In general, driving is not difficult, because... There are few cars on Cuban roads, but they trudge along at a speed of 50 km/h and are certainly in the priority left lane. IN last years Thousands of cyclists appeared, mainly in cities.
Taxi. In the resort of Varadero there are an abundance of foreign cars operating as taxis. There is no need to look for them, as they are looking for you everywhere. You just need to look in the direction of the driver and he will immediately drive up. A taxi is not very expensive, but not cheap either (about 1.5 -2 km - 2 dollars). Previously, in Varadero, along with foreign cars, you could see our dear Zhiguli cars and old American cars from the 50s and 60s. They also operated as private taxis. Their cost was approximately 2 times less. Now there are practically none of them at the resort. There are still many of them in Havana and the provinces. Prices for “private owners” are low: for example, in the center of Havana - 2 dollars; from the center to Miramar - 3 dollars; from the airport to Havana - 10-12 dollars. In many places in Varadero you can rent, in addition to cars, a Yamaha moped or a bicycle. The moped costs $9 for 1 hour, $12 for 2 hours, $15 for 3 hours. Every hour of delay plus $5. To rent, it is enough to have a foreign passport or hotel card with you.
CUBA - TIME
It is 8 hours behind Moscow.
CUBA - MONEY
In Cuba, foreign tourists (one might say) only use dollars. Fortunately for us, no one pays attention to the dilapidation of banknotes. You should pay special attention to the fact that upon change you may be given a so-called convertible peso. This type of peso is equal to the dollar 1:1. This is a new Cuban banknote that has nothing in common with the “wooden” Cuban pesos. To avoid getting into trouble, the convertible peso must have “convertible” written on it. As a rule, they are given in small bills: 1.5, 10. The exchange rate of the old Cuban peso to the American dollar is approximately 1:25. Convertible Cuban small change also circulates on par with American cents. Often you will be hit back by both. Credit cards are also in use: VISA, EUROCARD, etc. Due to the political situation, AMERICAN EXPRESS cards are prohibited.
CUBA - VISAS, CUSTOMS CONTROL
Visa-free entry (for stays of no more than 30 days). Bring your salary (valid for 3 months from the date of return), an air ticket with a return date, cash at the rate of $50/day, and a power of attorney for the child from the second parent.
Tourists do not have to fill out a customs declaration. It is prohibited to bring into Cuba drugs and all types of pornographic materials, Cuban banknotes, except in cases where they are carried by passengers arriving from countries with which Cuba signed bilateral agreements on this issue, firearms, with the exception of shotguns for sport hunting, belonging to tourists who come to the country for this purpose and have the appropriate permit issued in Cuba upon arrival.
When a visitor purchases durable goods or valuables in stores during his stay in Cuba, he must always have the appropriate receipt for the purchase in order to present it upon departure, if required. It is allowed to import personal belongings into the country within reasonable limits, free of customs duties. It is not allowed to export from the country items that are national treasures, precious metals, sea shells, antiques and certain types of plants and animals.
CUBA - EMBASSIES
Embassy of the Russian Federation - Havana, tel. 33-10-85, 33-33-26. Consular Section - Havana, Vedado, 8/306.
CUBA - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Cuba... Azure waters of the ocean And Coral reefs, gentle sun and snow-white sand of the shore, a fantastic underwater world and fabulous birds, the intoxicating smell of orchids and the fears of a crocodile nursery, a riot of colors of sunrises and sunsets, impenetrable forests and colonnades of palm groves, crystal waterfalls and the chilling silence of underground lakes in stalactite caves, the architecture of ancient cities and fortresses, the riotous fun of the night city and the refined severity of luxury hotels, the smoke of a Cuban cigar, slender mulatto women - It's all Cuba!!!
- Cuba is beaches and sun
, and such an association is not wrong. The island's wonderful seaside resorts are now its main and most famous offer - after all, the archipelago has a coastline of more than six thousand kilometers, it includes over four thousand small and medium-sized islets, and there are about three hundred magnificent beaches. The regime of sea currents washing Cuba on all sides ensures that the water here remains uniquely clean and transparent, as well as a pleasant temperature throughout the year (24-26 C). Observation of the underwater world, underwater photography, fishing and hunting in designated areas for this purpose, as well as swimming and sea sports - all this is offered by Cuba to lovers of marine ecotourism.
- Cuba - history. Cuba was
open October 28, 1492 by Christopher Columbus and throughout subsequent centuries, until late XIX centuries, was subjected Spanish colonization. In 1868, the War of Independence begins, and Spanish colonial rule gives way to a neo-colonial republic, when the country's economic and political development was completely determined by the will of its North American neighbor. And only from January 1959, with the victory of the people's revolution, did national independence become possible. In recent decades, for former USSR Cuba was one of the main partners in the Western Hemisphere, “the only socialist state” off the coast of the United States. In view of the special political position of the Republic of Cuba on the world stage, it is impossible not to mention some personalities who personify modern Cuban history. Dr. Fidel Castro Ruz - Commander-in-Chief, 1st Secretary of the Central Committee Communist Party Cuba, Chairman of the State Council and Council of Ministers. Fidel Castro is without a doubt one of the significant characters of the 20th century. Castro was born in 1926. There was a lot in his life: the storming of the Moncada barracks, and the bright speech at the trial “History will vindicate me,” and the guerrilla war, and the victory of the revolution, and Playa Giron, and the missile crisis, and help, and then the betrayal of the “big brother,” and difficult years of the “special period in peacetime.” Fidel Castro has a rare gift of oratory and exceptional personal charm, he never gets tired and is interested in everything, and, as always, continues to speak to top audiences for seven hours without a single “piece of paper.” Fidel Castro enjoys the unconditional support of a significant part of the population, which has followed him since the days of the guerrilla war and the first years of the revolution. However, now his position is not as strong as in former times. Raul Castro Ruz is Fidel's younger brother, Minister of Defense, and heir apparent to his older brother. Jose Marti is a revolutionary poet, “apostle of the Fatherland”, his image is comparable only to the image of Simon Bolivar. His memory lives on in the names of streets, the international airport, etc., a bust of José Martí in every school. Something makes him similar to our Lenin. Ernesto Che Guevara - his image in a beret with a star will forever remain in the memory of the generation that adored the great rebel. He was young and romantic. The god of war and love of the 60s, this Argentine revolutionary was a close friend of Fidel Castro. He was killed in action in Bolivia in 1967. Camillo Cienfuegos - shortly before the victory of the revolution in Cuba, Cienfuegos, Che Guevara and Castro formed a triumvirate of romantic bearded guerrillas. Ciefuegos fought alongside Fidel and entered Havana in triumph. Some time later he died in a plane crash.
- Cuba - courtesans.
Of course, local girls deserve attention; they are truly extraordinary in beauty, giving tourists their ardent love and affection for free. Today, approximately 70% of foreign visitors to Cuba are so-called sex tourists. Mexicans come in search of white-skinned chicks, Europeans are eager to communicate with passionate mulattoes. Yes, indeed, Liberty Island is turning into a men's resort. According to statistics, significantly more men come to Cuba than women. Local residents treat people of easy virtue with rather respect; you will never see a reproachful look addressed to them. And what, tell me, can one reproach young beauties who earn money for themselves and their loved ones, often in the hope of a handsome overseas prince who will take her across these very seas? The prevailing opinion that all Cuban girls are courtesans is far from the truth. The definition of "prostitution" does not quite fit what is actually happening. If the man likes him, the girl can refuse the money. And if meetings are repeated, then the most accurate definition of such a relationship can be only one word - love. At the Havana airport. X. Marty can often be seen saying goodbye to couples. However, it is not only at night that love passions rage. During the day on the beach there is no shortage of offers of daytime beauties. Swimming with mulatto girls is a common occurrence on Cuban beaches. Love in water is a completely normal thing here. Cuban beauties are forbidden to sunbathe without swimsuits, but who can prevent a passionate Cuban woman from taking off her swimsuit in the water!
Telephone conversations in Cuba
. International telephone calls can be made from your hotel room through Telecorreos branches or from an international call center. Upon arrival in Cuba, you can also contact the Cubacel agency, tel. 80-2222 to use cellular phone service or the 711 system if you have your own phone. To contact Cuba from abroad, first dial the Cuba code (53), then the corresponding city code, if it is Havana, dial 7 and so on phone number, fromWhat is better to buy for friends and acquaintances? Undoubtedly, this is black coral and jewelry made from it: pendants, rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets. Paired with silver it will look better. There are also good items made from tortoise shell, especially bracelets and hairpins. Various seafood products are also in demand, especially various shells and mahogany products. Almost no one leaves without buying 1-2 bottles of Cuban rum (3,5,7 years of aging) or world famous Cuban cigars. Shopping can be done in shops at every hotel, on the beach, resort town, as well as in shopping centers. There are 3 such centers known in Varadero: Soreu - located between streets 61 and 63, opposite the 4 Palms hotel. "Caiman" - located between streets 61 and 62, i.e. in the same place as Sorey. Near the shopping centers there is a magnificent Josone Park - you should visit it in your free time. The third shopping center appeared relatively recently. It is located between two five-star hotels (MELIA VARADERO and MELIA LAS AMERICAS). Distinctive feature this shopping center is that during construction the architects sought to breathe into it modern style similar structures: modern pavilions, car parking, quality goods, security, etc. In addition to the above purchases, mention should also be made of the machete - the main tool for cutting sugar cane. The souvenir option looks, of course, more attractive. When transporting, check it in as your luggage, and in Sheremetyevo go through the “green corridor” and there will be no troubles
.
If you want to find yourself in the country of eternal summer, sandy beaches and amazingly colorful underwater world– welcome to our Cuba! This island country is interesting not only for its history, traditions and political structure. Connoisseurs of first-class diving can assure you that Cuba is one of the best places among the Caribbean islands for scuba diving. Cuba surrounded by an archipelago of almost four thousand islands. The absence of cold currents ensures excellent visibility at a distance of about 50 meters. Among the coral reefs you can get acquainted with the diversity of the underwater world, representing the entire Caribbean region. Almost 900 species live in coastal waters representatives of fauna. These include dolphin, barracuda, tuna, swordfish, stingray, moray eel, shark and many others. Let us note that sharks have never caused any particular problems to anyone - they are quite small here and quite timid.
In Cuba there are no animals at all that would be dangerous to humans. And fish, birds, and shellfish are not only a gourmet delicacy, but also a subject for spearfishing. 
However, we should not forget that the principles of protection and conservation of underwater ecosystems underlie the development scuba diving in Cuba. It should be noted that depending on a particular dive site, the underwater landscapes, the structure of reefs and corals change dramatically. It will be interesting to dive into different waters of Cuba. But the underwater world, wherever you find yourself, is simply magnificent: countless varieties of coral gardens, sea sponges and shells fancy colors. Needless to say, this is a real “paradise” for biologists, photographers and simply diving enthusiasts. Besides, in Cuba This is quite an affordable pleasure. Special diving centers will help you immerse yourself in the contrasting underwater world of the island. There are more than 20 schools with experienced instructors here. Fascinating underwater travel for both beginners and professionals: snorkeling or exciting dives to a depth of 40 meters. Considering the beauty of the Cuban underwater world, it is undoubtedly worth paying attention to the sunken ships. It will be interesting to visit Matantas Bay, the Cayo Pedra del Norte marine park, and the town of Faro Luna in the north of Havana. What kind of legends do local residents tell about the adventures of pirates and millions of dollars that sank into oblivion? Therefore, considering here fancy fish, perhaps, be especially careful.
The underwater world of the Caribbean is rich and rich. And unique! Endangered coral species, sharks, large and small fish, numerous vegetation - all this can be seen by an inquisitive diver. Check out these colorful photos taken by divers David Dubilet and Jennifer Hayes.
Schools of fish - bluebanded grunts (Haemulon sciurus) and snappers (Lutjanus apodus) fill the space between the wide branches of elkhorn corals (Acropora palmata). Fast-growing but fragile, eelhorn coral is a critically endangered species. It has virtually disappeared throughout the Caribbean.
Accumulation of fish among corals
A trio of silky sharks (Carcharhinus falciformis) sparkle against the blue Caribbean Sea.
Besides silky sharks, other predators include large fish like this black snapper (Mycteroperca bonaci).
The night sea pulsates with life invisible during the day. Sea worms, attracted to underwater light, form a living wall.
A squadron of Caribbean reef squid (Sepioteuthis sepioidea), known for their extraordinary appetite and ability to quickly change skin color and patterns.
Sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), about 8 cm long. Cuba has banned the fishing of sea turtles since 2008.
A small fish (Acanthemblemaria spinosa), the size of a human fingernail.
Inside the translucent walls of the cerulean sponge (Callyspongia plicifera) is a hidden world. The crab and the brittle star seek refuge deep inside the tubular structure.
The golden glow of sunset over the reefs.
Underwater American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). He is, of course, a predator, but he is necessary for a balanced ecosystem, just like sharks.
March 12th, 2018
The underwater world of the Caribbean is rich and rich. And unique! Endangered species of corals, sharks, large and small fish, numerous vegetation - all this can be seen by an inquisitive diver. Check out these colorful photos taken by divers David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes.
Schools of fish - bluebanded grunts (Haemulon sciurus) and snappers (Lutjanus apodus) fill the space between the wide branches of elkhorn corals (Acropora palmata). Fast-growing but fragile, eelhorn coral is a critically endangered species. It has virtually disappeared throughout the Caribbean.
Accumulation of fish among corals
A trio of silky sharks (Carcharhinus falciformis) sparkle against the blue Caribbean Sea.
Besides silky sharks, other predators include large fish like this black snapper (Mycteroperca bonaci).
The night sea pulsates with life invisible during the day. Sea worms, attracted to underwater light, form a living wall.
A squadron of Caribbean reef squid (Sepioteuthis sepioidea), known for their extraordinary appetite and ability to quickly change skin color and patterns.
Sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), about 8 cm long. Cuba has banned the fishing of sea turtles since 2008.
A small fish (Acanthemblemaria spinosa), the size of a human fingernail.
Inside the translucent walls of the cerulean sponge (Callyspongia plicifera) is a hidden world. The crab and brittle star seek refuge deep inside the tubular structure.
The golden glow of sunset over the reefs.
Underwater American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). He is, of course, a predator, but he is necessary for a balanced ecosystem, just like sharks.
Cuba? a country of contrasts and magical mirages. There are neighborhoods here that are scary to enter even during the day, but very close to the slums there are luxury villas.
There are islands that beckon with dense mangroves from afar, but upon closer inspection, the islands turn out to be not islands at all. The turquoise water seems to invite you to plunge into the invigorating coolness, but if you look closely, the log at the bottom takes on the very distinct outline of a crocodile.
Cuba? great place if you don't pay attention to the little things.
Mysterious islands, alluring with lush greenery, turn out to be mangroves upon closer inspection. Huge forests grow directly from the water, forming bizarre labyrinths on the water surface.
What could be more beautiful than a steel bird, majestically bathed in the rays of the setting sun?
The kingdom of Neptune of Cuba is as beautiful and rich as the above-water world. But at the same time there is always a feeling that you are not alone. Only a few seconds pass, and then they appear...
There are many of them, there are always a lot of them. And they are very curious:
They literally climb into the camera lens, showing off their kind smile :)
You can not only examine these amazing animals in detail, but also get tactile sensations.
I had never had such intimate contact with sharks before.
And it becomes clear why these places in the mangroves were called “The Queen’s Gardens?”
You won't be bored, because life in the underwater world is everywhere. You just need to be careful not to accidentally step on it.
And this life, sometimes, takes on absolutely amazing shapes and sizes:
You just need to not be lazy to look around, and not get tired of being surprised.
Someone lives here:
However, you cannot forget that you are visiting for even a minute.
Big brother is watching you:
Well, you keep an eye on your little brother:
In this big zoo? in an aquarium among the mangroves, everyone is watching each other.
All this? underwater world of Cuba:
With the onset of dusk, the favorite pastime of these cute creatures is to launch a frontal attack, piercing you with a cold gaze. And turn aside at the last second:
And only with sunset comes a short intermission.
Uninhabited islands provide amazing encounters. Rat-Hutia? one of the most charming creatures that I think nature has created. They dig into a bag of food like a businessman, without burdening themselves with good manners.
And unafraid iguanas do not hesitate to take food from hands:
And, to be honest, sharks aren’t stupid to eat?
Undersea world? it's a whole universe.
With its planets and stars.
And black holes? caves, dives into which begin with loading into such a diving bus.
You jump from a height of three meters into a chasm measuring two by four meters, and you see the tops of the trees above you:
But after a few seconds this picture seems to dissolve?
And in the light of the lantern the magical world of the underwater cave opens:
There is life here too:
Which takes on the most incredible colors and shapes:
All this? the magical underwater world of Cuba.
And it will stay with you forever.
Photos of alexey-viper