Cuba had the first railway in Latin America, 11 years before Spain, its colonial metropolis. It was inaugurated on November 19, 1837, on the Havana-Güines section.

The first electric lighting system in Cuba dates back more than 110 years. It was inaugurated in Havana in March 1889 and illuminated only a few streets.

Cuba was the second country in the world after the United States to broadcast color television broadcasts, in 1958.

The first international flight of the Latin American Aviation was made by Cubans, on May 17, 1913 from the island to Key West, and lasted two hours and 40 minutes, led by Cuban pilots Agustín Parla and Domingo Rosselló.

More classic cars than anywhere else, in a world where the latest car models are launched every year, Cuba stands as a notable exception. The streets of this Caribbean island are a rolling time capsule, packed with classic cars from the 1930s to the 1950s, predominantly American makes such as Chevrolet, Plymouth, Cadillac, Oldsmobile, Mercury and Ford.

Home of the world’s smallest bird. Believe it or not, the tiny bee hummingbird, or zunzuncito as it is known locally, holds the title of the smallest bird on Earth – and it is native to Cuba! This little guy measures less than 5 centimetres and can move at speeds approaching 50 kilometres per hour. Scientifically known as Mellisuga helenae, it is also affectionately called the “bee elf”. Even its nests are tiny, measuring no more than 3 centimetres in diameter.

The world-famous cocktail, the Mojito, was invented right here in Cuba by none other than the feared pirate, Sir Francis Drake. This refreshing concoction dates back to the 16th century, when Drake and his crew landed on the Cuban shores. Faced with a number of ailments among his crew, several remedies were concocted. The most popular and effective turned out to be a local mix of sugarcane liquor (a precursor to rum), mint and sugar.

One of the most famous products of Cuba is the cigar. In fact, all expert smokers agree that the best tobacco in the world is produced here, thanks especially to its sweetness. Now you know what the best souvenir to bring back is.

Cuba may be a paradise for many, but not for Santa Claus: Christmas was abolished on this Caribbean island between 1969 and 1998. Apparently Fidel Castro decided to cancel the holidays and declare those days as working days for purely economic reasons. They were reinstated in 1998 on the occasion of John Paul II's visit to Cuba.