The largest island in the Caribbean, Cuba is 780 miles long and averages about 60 miles wide. It has several small chains of mountains and is covered with softwood tropical forests. Animal and plant life in enormous variety inhabit the island interior and the numerous deep harbours are known for good fishing.

The island is home to several score villages, many specializing in either fishing or farming and two major cities: La Habana (Havana) and Santiago de Cuba (Santiago). The island had a population of around 50,000 in 1700.

Cuba was founded in 1511 and is the staging area for all Spanish commercial and military ventures into the New World.

Government

Captaincy-General of Cuba/Governorate of Havana (since 29 September 1724): Don Dionisio Martínez de la Vega

• Governorate of la Florida
• Governorate of Santiago de Cuba