Christopher Columbus discovered the largest island of the Antilles already during his first voyage in 1492. Cuba was an important base for the conquests in Central America. The indigenous Indian population was quickly decimated by brought in illness and forced labour. Therefore the Spanish had to import the first black slaves from West Africa already in 1513. The slaves made up the majority of the population until the abolition of slavery around 1860. After that the ever growing sugar production - in 1860 Cuba produced almost a third of the world's sugar supply - brought many European settlers into the country.

The USA interfered with Cuba's war of independence against the Spanish at the end of the 19th century. In 1901, the US-American naval base in Guantanamo was set up and is still in operation today. The independent Cuba became the "back yard" of the States. Marked social injustice was the breeding ground for the Cuban revolution of 1959. For many Third World countries the social achievements in the areas of health and education became their model. The achievements stayed in place even though the country has been in an economic crises since the mid-80ies.

Until today, the cultural heritage of the Spanish can be seen especially in the cities: the old town of Havana with the castle in the port and the beach promenade of Malecon, Trinidad and its baroque facades … The unique blend of Spanish and African rhythms, expressed for example in the dances of  rumba and son, inspires people around the world. The famous story "The old man and the sea" by the American author Ernest Hemingway was written on Cuba where the author lived for along time.