The People
Mulattoes, of mixed African and white descent, make up 51 per cent of the population. Whites, mainly of Spanish descent, make up 37 per cent, blacks 11 per cent. In 1993 the population of Cuba was estimated at 10,941,000.
| Cuba's Largest Cities | |||
| Havana, the capital 2,119,000 | |||
| Santiago de Cuba 418,721 | |||
| Camagüey 286,404 | |||
| Holguín 232,770 | |||
| Guantánamo 203,371 | |||
| Santa Clara 197,189 | |||
| Bayamo 128,167 | |||
| Cienfuegos 125,000 | |||
| Pinar del Rio 124,100 | |||
| Las Tunas 120,897 | |||
The official language is Spanish. Cubans are predominantly Roman Catholic. The government restricts church activities and tries to discourage religious beliefs.
Schooling is compulsory for children from 6 through 12 and is free at all levels. There is little illiteracy. The oldest and largest institution of higher learning is the University of Havana, founded in 1728.
