Nature
The most important natural scenario in the Caribbean due to its biodiversity, endemism and state of preservation. There are more than 300 protected areas in the country, six of which have been declared Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO:
- Península de Guanahacabibes
- Sierra del Rosario
- Ciénaga de Zapata
- Buenavista
- Parque Baconao
- Cuchillas del Toa.
- Viñales Valley, located only 180 km west of Havana, is site of the largest cave systems in Caribbean.
Flora & Fauna
There are more than 8.000 plant species, half of them endemic. The most predominant species of trees are palms, of which Cuba has more than 30 types, including royal palms. Other indigenous plants are mahogany, ebony, lignum vitae, cottonwood, logwood, rosewood, cedar pine, majagua, granadilla, jagüey, tobacco, papaya trees, and the ceiba, which is the national tree.
Cuba's sea flora and fauna rank among the most beautiful and best preserved in the world
The country host a varied avifauna represented by more than 350 species of birds. There are approximately 900 fish species, most of them edible, and thousands of mollusks and insects.
Cuba also treasures the world smallest animal species: the sapito (little toad) (Sminthillus limbatus) and the zunzuncito (bee hummingbird) (Mellisuga helenae).
Wild Fauna and Flora Regulations
Governed by the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which prohibits the export of live or stuffed specimens or of goods made from parts of protected species. The export of articles made from parts of wild flora and fauna species is allowed provided that they are covered by a certificate issued by the CITES Administrative Authority in Cuba.
