Christopher Columbus discovered Cuba in October 1492. Because of the nature riches and the geographical position Cuba was soon called “the Crown in the Spanish Jewel”.
The local Indian tribes called the island Cubanacán, which the Spanish abbreviated to Cuba. The size of Cuba is 110.000 sq.km, which makes the island the biggest island the Caribbean, and the 7th biggest island in the world. The population was app. 100.000 Indians, and soon they were “converted” to slaves.
Hard labor and diseases led to the fact that within 100 years the Indians were exterminated. As early as in 1523 the Spaniards began to import slaves from West Africa. The need for labor was big. At first in the tobacco fields, and later also in the sugar plantations.
The big import of slaves has led to a population which consists of 51% mulattos, 37% white and 11% blacks. This constellation strongly assists to a unique experience, when visiting Cuba.
Personally I have been to Cuba 12 times, and the countless experiences I have had, form the basis for the lectures and photo exhibitions I can offer.
