Cuba

[ kyoo-buh; Spanish koo-bah ]

noun

1. a republic in the Caribbean, south of Florida: largest island in the West Indies. 44,218 sq. mi. (114,525 sq. km). : Havana.

Cuba

/ ˈkjuːbə /

noun

1. a republic and the largest island in the Caribbean, at the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico: became a Spanish colony after its discovery by Columbus in 1492; gained independence after the Spanish-American War of 1898 but remained subject to US influence until declared a people's republic under Castro in 1960; subject of an international crisis in 1962, when the US blockaded the island in order to compel the Soviet Union to dismantle its nuclear missile base. Sugar comprises about 80 per cent of total exports; the economy was badly affected by loss of trade following the collapse of the Soviet Union and by the continuing US trade embargo. Language: Spanish. Religion: nonreligious majority. Currency: peso. Capital: Havana. Pop: 11 061 886 (2013 est). Area: 110 922 sq km (42 827 sq miles)

Cuba

1. Republic consisting of the island of Cuba and other nearby islands. It lies in the Caribbean Sea at the entrance of the Gulf of Mexico . Its capital and largest city is Havana .

Notes

The sinking of the United States battleship Maine in Havana harbor led to the Spanish-American War in 1898.

In 1961, under the administration of John F. Kennedy , American-trained Cuban exiles attempted to invade Cuba, landing at the Bay of Pigs , only to be easily defeated by Castro's forces. The Kennedy administration was sharply criticized for the Bay of Pigs fiasco.

In 1980, Cuban refugees began pouring into the United States when Castro allowed free emigration.

Fidel Castro took control of the Cuban government in 1959. The United States broke off relations with Cuba in 1961, after Castro exhibited strong left-wing leanings, established a system of military justice, and confiscated American investments in banks, industries, and land. Cuba then formed a close attachment to the Soviet Union .

The collapse of communism in eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union has left Cuba as one of the last communist states.

The Cuban missile crisis of 1962 occurred as a result of a Soviet buildup of medium-range missiles (capable of striking targets in the United States) in Cuba.

Other Words From

• Cu·ban adjective noun

Example Sentences

The decision comes as she wants to know more about her own family—a yearning that soon yields revelations about the legacy of those who came before her in Cuba.

From Time

Many Canarians arrived in Cuba as early as the 17th century, when government officials in mainland Spain believed that the islands had an overpopulation problem.

From Popular-Science

In December the government said Cuba’s GDP had shrunk by 11% since the start of 2020.

From Time

Russia, Cuba and Venezuela are among the 47 countries that are currently members of the council.

From Washington Blade

Havana, Cuba, was the next stop, but as soon as the Soviets crated the Luna and lifted her onto the truck, it was time for the first distraction.

From MIT Technology Review

This past February, another member, Fernando Gonzalez, was sent back to Cuba.

From The Daily Beast

I am not the first or last person to document the hip-hop scene in Cuba.

From The Daily Beast

They wanted to know everything about New York and we wanted to know everything about Cuba.

From The Daily Beast

And now Reggaeton is king in Cuba as it is in most of the Caribbean.

From The Daily Beast

Meanwhile, Edgar had returned to Cuba after that 2001 tour and continued to make music.

From The Daily Beast

In Cuba its culture commenced in 1580, and from this and the other islands large quantities were shipped to Europe.

From Project Gutenberg

I told them of the stirring times in Cuba, till the day came when we stormed the hill, and they had to carry me back to the sea.

From Project Gutenberg

Columbus, proceeding towards Cuba, named the headland Cabo de Cruz on this day.

From Project Gutenberg

He was a companion of Pizarro in his Peruvian expedition, and amassed great wealth; after which he became governor of Cuba.

From Project Gutenberg

The truth is that all the best tobacco grown in the island of Cuba is bought up by the heavy manufacturers in Havana.

From Project Gutenberg