HAVANA
HAVANA
The capital of Cuba must have been one of the most beautiful cities in the Americas in its day. Compared to many Caribbean ports, whose historic structures are limited to a handful of moldy churches and museums, Havana and its appeal to culture and history are breathtaking. It still boasts thousands of architectural treasures, dozens of world-class museums, pretty streets and promenades, wonderful music, friendly people, breathtaking views and more. But Havana is in terrible decay. Some areas, particularly in Old Havana, have been restored, but there are numerous areas that are crumbling. These once graceful buildings have been hammered by hurricanes, sea air and abandonment for nearly 50 years, with no commitment or materials to preserve and maintain them. Many buildings lack roofs; on some, you can see the doors leading to the missing balconies, and on others, the walls are crumbling. The most fascinating thing is to see these dilapidated buildings in the evening. Once the darkness falls, it becomes obvious that, despite the desperate state of these dwellings, people continue to live in them. However, the city is full of prizes for visitors. The core of "Old Havana" or "La Habana Vieja" is a treasure trove of architectural gems. Across Havana Bay, the iconic 16th century Castillo del Morro (Castle of Morro) houses the city and port and offers panoramic views. The graceful and elegant avenues and palaces of "El Vedado" offer a glimpse of a rich past. Today it is also the centre of modern government in the symbolic Plaza de la Revolución. Cuba was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492 and was the key to colonialism because of its strategic location and rich agricultural base, which developed into the world's most important sugar industry. (Today, it is almost extinct.) Havana itself was founded by Diego Velazquez in 1514 and, with its sheltered port, prospered for centuries as a key center for trade. Spain ruled Cuba for four centuries until the island gained its independence in 1899. In 1900, Cuba was mostly run by a number of leaders, who were strongly influenced by the United States. In 1959, Fidel Castro led a revolution to overthrow the leader Fulgencio Batista, and a year later, Castro announced his loyalty to the Soviet Union and communist principles. Thus, he alienated Cuba from the United States and, in the process, thousands of U.S. tourists who regularly visited the island. The U.S. embargo on Cuba, which began in the 1960s and was amended several times, once prohibited U.S. citizens and U.S. companies from conducting business with Cuban interests. In 1999, U.S. President Bill Clinton amended the embargo to prohibit U.S. company subsidiaries from doing business in Cuba and also authorized the sale of certain specific products in Cuba. More recently, President Barack Obama relaxed travel restrictions in Cuba, starting with those of Cuban descent and eventually allowing all citizens to visit with the ability to self-certify cultural requirements to do so.The island remained politically aligned and economically dependent on the Soviet Union until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the subsequent collapse of communism in Eastern Europe. After the difficult economic periods of the 1990s (known as the "Special Period"), the Castro regime began to encourage foreign investment, resulting in increased tourism - mainly from Canada and Europe. This marked the beginning of capitalism and the renewed opportunity for the Cuban people. Cuba now attracts more than two million visitors every year. In 2008, due to Castro's lack of health, his brother Raul Castro was appointed president. Raul Castro introduced changes in the island, such as allowing ownership of mobile phones, buy and sell property and private businesses, particularly in the form of private restaurants. Fidel Castro died eight years later, in 2016. With its convenient location, just 90 miles from South Florida, Cuba is an ideal stopover for lines that sail on Caribbean routes. Now, due to a slow thaw, U.S. citizens are able to reach Cuba in contingent by participating in a tour that falls into the category of cultural visas traveling between people. These approved tours are offered through the cruise lines, and since the restrictions loosened in 2016, they are heading to the island once banned in droves. US-based lines that now regularly visit Cuba are Carnival, Msc, Ncl, Royal Caribbean, Oceania, Azamara, Holland America and Viking.
