Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-07
CUBA, sugar Bowl of the Antilles"


str informative articles and maps
on the Republics of the Cdrib-
Dean and Central America With
me series, Our South American
NelghborS." recently published in
The Sunday Star, these articles
7ciH constitute complete couerdge
OF the Latin American republics.
As part OF its many educational
activities. the National Geo.
graphic Society has prepared the
basic data and accompanying
maps from its rich resources OF
geographic knowledge and sur
Uegs, By clipping this series from
1Ceek to Teek. adults and school
pupils may acquire an np-to-ddte
collection OF maps and notes on
our neighbors to the south.
tCopyrisht, National Geographic Magazine
To thousands of United States
visitors who have made quick
flying or sailing trip to the big
island eff the tip Of Florida. Cuba
means Havana: Moro Castle frowu-
ing down on the capitals beauti-
full bay; the laurel-shaded walk of
the Prado; the time -softened ca
thedral, and the glittering, gold
crowned capitol. Its name recalls
the familiar tropical scenes of iron
grllled windows and arcaded streets:
of sidewalk cafes. park bands. and
beach Fairgrounds.
Today, however. the winter-resOrt
side Of Cuba (Which even in peace
time was only part Of the variegated,
Woodworking life of the island re-
public has given way to the more
serious business of conducting a
war. On December 9, l94l, two
days after the Pearl Harbor attack,
Cuba joined the ranks against ia
pan: on December II, against Ger
many and Italy.
Guards Sea Approaches.
Cuba'S location, so conveniently
close for peacetime exchange, has
become doubly significant to the
United States as a military ally. Less
than a hundred miles south of the
Florida Keys, Cuba provides
heavy link in the chain of islands
that guards the approaches to the
Caribbean Sea and the Panama
Canal. It's western portions lie across
the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico.
overlooking the Straits of Florida
on the north; on the south, Yucatan
Channel, off the Mexican state of
that name.
Under the Lease-Lend Act. Cuba
has received from the United States
financial backing. defense equip
ment and materials. For it's part,
the island contributes sugar for
war-needed industrial alcohol and
energy making sweets, and such
strategic materials" as manganese
and chromium.
1t has arranged for the United
States to set up air and submarine
bases, supplementing the powerful
and long-held naval station at
Guantanamo, which Uncle Sam
leased from Cuba soon after the
Spanish American War. The Guam
tanamo site Is situated on the
southern shore of the east end of
the island. A sentinel on the busy
traffic lane between Cuba and Haiti,
it is favored by one Of the worlds
best harbors, deep and large, yet
protected by land forms ton from
storms and sea attack.
Big and Busy Island.
Cuba is the biggest and most
island of the West Indies.
1t is oddly shaped, with a slim,
rounded head and two-pronged tail
that give it from high in the air
the look of some great sea monster.
Few realize that this island is more
than $50 miles long; that placed
over the United States, it would
extend, for example, from Savannah,
Ga, far beyond the Mississippi.
The Republic of Cuba, including
the adjacent Isle Of Pines and
smaller islands. is roughly the size
OF Pennsylvania. It has a popula-
ton of more than four and a quarter
million. or about equal to that of
Massachusetts. Havana, banking
and commercial center Of the re-
public, as well as active seaport for
Cuban trade. holds some 900, 900 in
habitants. 1t was there, in July,