inally Roman Catholic 85% prior to CASTRO assuming
power; Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, and Santeria are also
represented

Languages: Spanish

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 95.7%
male: 96.2%
female: 95.3%

Government
----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Cuba
conventional short form: Cuba
local long form: Republica de Cuba
local short form: Cuba

Data code: CU

Type of government: Communist state

Capital: Havana

Administrative divisions: 14 provinces (provincias, singular -
provincia) and 1 special municipality* (municipio especial);
Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Ciudad de La Habana, Granma,
Guantanamo, Holguin, Isla de la Juventud*, La Habana, Las Tunas,
Matanzas, Pinar del Rio, Sancti Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, Villa
Clara

Independence: 20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898;
administered by the US from 1898 to 1902)

National holiday: Rebellion Day, 26 July (1953); Liberation Day, 1
January (1959)

Constitution: 24 February 1976

Legal system: based on Spanish and American law, with large
elements of Communist legal theory; does not accept compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction

Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President of the Council of
State and President of the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz
(prime minister from February 1959 until 24 February 1976 when
office was abolished; president since 2 December 1976) and First
Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of
the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2 December
1976) were elected by the National Assembly
cabinet: Council of Ministers were proposed by the president of the
Council of State, appointed by the National Assembly
Council of State: members elected by the National Assembly

Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly of People's Power (Asemblea Nacional del P:
elections last held NA February 1993 (next to be held NA 1998);
seats - 589 total, elected directly from slates approved by special
candidacy commissions

Judicial branch: People's Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo
Popular), president, vice president, and other judges are elected by
the National Assembly

Political parties and leaders: only party - Cuban Communist Party
(PCC), Fidel CASTRO Ruz, first sec