Communist Cuba

Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is an island country in the Caribbean, comprising its main island and numerous smaller islands, islets, and cays. Located at the convergence of the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic Ocean, its capital and largest city is Havana. Cuba gained independence in 1902 after being occupied by the United States following the Spanish-American War of 1898. A 1933 coup led to a period of military influence, culminating in Fulgencio Batista's 1952 coup. His autocratic government was overthrown in January 1959 by the 26th of July Movement during the Cuban Revolution, which established communist rule under Fidel Castro. Cuba was a point of contention during the Cold War, notably during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.