Besides a well-deserved laudable reputation for its education system, access to clean water, medicine and housing, and the U.N.’s annual Human Development Report ranking Cuba among the top 10 developing countries, Cuba also boasts an abundance of natural and cultural resources and safeguards in place for their conservation. Across more than 1,600 islands (and many more islets and keys), Cuba counts extensive mangrove colonies, seagrass beds and healthy coral that provide a home to hundreds of marine species, including sea turtles, dolphins, manatees, sharks, reef fish and more. On land, this 15th largest island on the planet has set aside 263 protected areas, amounting to approximately 22% of the total surface area and encompassing six UNESCO biospheres like the Peninsula de Zapata, the Caribbean’s most extensive wetlands; two UNESCO Natural World Heritage sites (as well as six cultural ones a few of which are in notably beautiful natural areas); and 10 national parks. The result is a safe haven for a spellbinding diversity of creatures, especially the indigenous ones. When you visit (not IF, but WHEN), you should demonstrate its value with [your] feet and [your] wallets, insisting on the kinds of genuine, natural and cultural experiences that can only come from preservation of what is presently in place, NOT generic bus tours, all-inclusive resorts and reef-killing beachfront condos.
Posted on: Thu, 02 Oct 2014 01:15:17 +0000
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