Nature Information on Cuba
An ecological mosaic of great richness and diversity, the Cuban archipelago is proud to possess six areas declared as Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO and a national system of protected areas covers some 30 % of the territory.
Cuba has four main mountain areas, that are separated by plains-which cover most of its territory. The four mountain groups on the island of Cuba are the Guaniguanico Range, in the western part of the island, which consists of the Órganos and Rosario Mountains; the Guamuhaya Range, in the middle of the country, consisting of the Trinidad and Sancti Spíritus (Escambray) Mountains; the Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa Mountains, in northeastern Cuba; and the Sierra Maestra Mountains (which include the Gran Piedra Range and Turquino Peak, the highest point in Cuba, that rises to 6 476 feet, or 1 974 meters, above sea level), in the southeastern part of the island. The fact that these mountain groups are separated from one another has contributed to their biodiversity.
The island's flora is very rich, with a high percentage of endemic plants and a great diversity of plant communities. There are evergreen, semideciduos, dry and pine forests; mangrove thickets; and savannahs. Orchids, cacti and palm trees are among the most attractive and most numerous plant groups. Palma corcho (Microsycas calocoma), important living plant fossils that are endemic to Cuba, grow near the pincushion hills (mogotes) in Pinar del Río Province.
The fauna is also rich and varied, including Bee Hummingbirds (Calypte helenae), the smallest bird in the world; Eleutherodactylus limbatus, the smallest frog; tiny butterfly bats; and a kind of scorpion that never grows to more than a little over half an inch (14 millimeters) long. In addition, there are many species of mollusks; including beatiful polymita snails. There are more than 350 species of bird, many of which are endemic. Other species are migratory and visit Cuba mainly in the winter. Nearly all the species of reptiles and amphibians are endemic, as well.
The water around the Cuban archipelago contains nearly 1 000 species of fish, 1 400 species of mollusks, 58 kinds of coral, 1 100 species of crustaceans, 67 kinds of sharks and rays, and 5 species of sea turtles. The wetlands and coastal areas contains many populations of endangered endemic species of great biological value. They include manatees; Cuban crocodiles (Rhombifer), one of the oldest species on earth; and manjuari, (Atractosteus tristoechus) veritable living fossils.
Cuba's rivers are short and generally contains relatively little water. There are both natural and man-made reservoirs, many of which are scenic attractions. Spas have been built in various parts of the archipelago where medicinal-mineral water and mud have been found.
NATIONAL PARKS
- Guanahacabibes, Pinar del Río
- Viñales, Pinar del Río
- Caguanes, Sancti Spíritus
- Pico Cristal, Holguín
- Desembarco del Granma, Granma
- Turquino, Granma y Santiago de Cuba
- Alejandro de Humboldt, Holguín y Guantánamo
BIOSPHERE RESERVES
- Guanahacabibes, Pinar del Río
- Sierra del Rosario, Pinar del Río
- Ciénaga de Zapata, Matanzas
- Caguanes, Sancti Spíritus
- Alejandro de Humboldt, Holguín y Guantánamo
- Baconao, Santiago de Cuba
RAMSAR PLACES
- Ciénaga de Zapata, Matanzas
- Caguanes, Sancti Spíritus
- Delta del Cauto, Granma
