African American Influence On Caribbean Culture

Improved Essays
The colorful buildings, crystal-clear waters, shimmering sand, and antique cars are all part of the character and rich culture of Cuba. The Caribbean island is also known for its rolling mountains, natural beauty, idyllic architecture, and vibrant history.

Spaniards began colonizing in Cuba after Christopher Columbus discovered the island in 1492. As Spanish and African immigrants settled into the new land, they brought with them their distinct cultures, traditions, and history. After gaining formal independence from the United States in 1902, Cuba became a fusion of diverse cultures. The country today is the second most populated in the Caribbean, with over 11 million inhabitants, and is ranked high by the United Nations for human development, health, and education.
…show more content…
Habana Vieja is one of 15 municipalities forming the capital of Havana and exposes travelers to the extraordinary culture and history of Cuba. Established in 1859, downtown Havana was initially a stopping point for galleons coming to the New World. By the 17th century, it had become the primary shipbuilding center with baroque and neoclassical styled buildings. The influence of Spaniards can be seen in the squares, where tourists strolling along the cobblestoned streets might recognize that the architectural design resembles that seen in plazas throughout

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Revolution in Cuba placed rebellion Fidel Castro in sovereignty in 1959. This caused tragic changes in Cuban society. This triggered tremendous Cuban immigration into USA, especially middleclass and upper class people who were unsafe from the socialist government. Major groups of Cubans settled in Miami, Florida. They were welcomed by USA until 1994 as victims of cruel government.…

    • 418 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Puerto Rico By Cal Meuse This essay is about Puerto Rico; the traditions or what the Puerto Rican people celebrate from generation to generation, the culture or where they come from and what religion they practice / were born into, and the customs of Puerto Ricans which are the things they do in day to day life. Puerto Ricans have Taino, African and Spanish influences on their culture. Taino is explained as native caribbean. One celebration that is unique to Puerto Rico is the birthday of Eugenio María de Hostos. Hostos was a writer who wrote about the need for Puerto Rico to become independent from Spain.…

    • 798 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Destin Mizelle Black Cuban Black American The Great Divide Throughout American history, people has been unfairly separated by their race and class; unfortunately, the poor and marginalized individuals always tend to be oppressed by their wealthy white counterparts. In the Autobiography, Black Cuban, Black American, Written by Evelio Grillo, goes in to depth on the constant identity struggles and racial inequity a Black Cuban male faces in Ybor City, Florida. During the 1900, the cigar business was flourishing in Ybor City and an abundance of Cubans moved to the city for work. Once the Cubans were in American they separated into two group White Cuban and Black Cuban; White Cubans unsuccessfully tried to integrate into white society and Black Cubans were…

    • 1114 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Haitian American culture has been a long-surviving and well-adapting culture. Starting with the indigenous people that occupied the island, before Christopher Columbus’ arrival in 1492. Columbus, being a conqueror for Spain, claimed the island of Haiti for King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella and named it Hispaniola meaning “little Spain”. From thenceforth the indigenous people of the island were killed off during gold conquests and the ruling of the Spanish by forced labor and diseases. With very little of the indigenous people surviving, Hispaniola became a part of the Spanish rule that was forgotten.…

    • 1274 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    I grew up on the open country of Alabama, in a small town called Cuba that was just the perfect size for my family and me. There was never a dull moment or lack of creativity when I was a kid. Cuba, Alabama is the perfect place for a kid because of the large fields, wildlife, and thick forests. The abundance of land at your disposal is endless in Cuba.…

    • 575 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Contrasts in Living – Cuba vs. the United States of America An island of great natural splendor and cultural beauty languishes in the Caribbean Sea just 90 miles south of the tip of Florida, directly separating the USA mainland from its own territory of Puerto Rico. This island, called Cuba, was once a popular “playground” for the wealthy Americans who recognized the economic potential of this exciting and intoxicating country. Many considered it a paradise, because of its natural splendor, beautiful Hispanic women, exotic and erotic musical culture, and highly-treasured Havana cigars and island rum. Beneath this illusion of paradise lies a country of distinctive contrasts of living for the occupants.…

    • 1002 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    This review examines the history of African American cultural, influential factors of current trends, further questions, and recommendations for other research. Even though many historical events were in the past, they still have an overwhelming influence of the shortcomings of African Americans in shaping cultural identity. The impact of race, slavery, segregation of schools, and depression, around the 1960’s has led to the shortcomings of African Americans in the 21st century. The short comings that African Americans are faced with are culturally lacking socioeconomically, education, employment, two families headed- households (mom and dad), policies and structural racisms. African Americans have suffered huge injustices because of historical implementation and institutional structures.…

    • 1263 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Comparison Paragraph My Country, the United States and its Similarities Since 1492, the year when Cuba was discovered by Christopher Columbus, the largest island in the Caribbean has been a cultural treasure. Cuba is known for its cultural diversity introduced for Africans, Spanish, Frances and Asian influences. The island has produced famous known personalities in many different areas like fine arts, film, ballet, modern dance and theatre. Cuban music must be mentioned because it’s natural and unique rhythms as the Mambo, the Bolero, the Cha-cha-cha and the Danzon.…

    • 767 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Haiti is one of a Caribbean island. Haiti shares an island with Dominican Republic a Hispanic island. Haiti had at least 1.5 million people that left the country because how the government is set up. Haiti is a unique country because of their population and their sport, Soccer. Haiti Culture is one of the most importance’s in Caribbean Island.…

    • 349 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Growing up in a perdonmintally white community the African American culture was not seen very often. The things that I had always heard growing up were "blacks" were lazy, violent, very athletic and forbidden to date. In fifth grade I became best friends with a girl that was African American and it allowed me to see a glimpse into the African American culture.…

    • 1058 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Food, music, clothes, language, they all have one thing in common having to be an influence that African American Communities have in the United States. The background story of African American in North America started as enslaved Africans brought to North America and forced into working as free labors. Coming into a continent completely different from what Africans were used to, they were forced to adapt to the western world. Working as free labors, Africans had a huge impact on the economy of North America, picking out cotton, and planting tobaccos and working on the farmland was an economic boost for the nation. The United States as a nation in its history has the majority of its influence revolving around the slavery time period and African American communities as a whole.…

    • 923 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Jamaican-American Culture

    • 572 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Without culture, we would be empty, boring shells. What is culture? “Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts” (Kim Ann Zimmerman). Culture is so influential that it can influence what kind of person you’ll be. Culture is music, sports, traditions, food, religion, language and more.…

    • 572 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Essay On Haitian Culture

    • 343 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Haiti is a very unique country. The total population is around 10 million people. It is 27,000 square kilometers in size and iv'e heard its one of the most populous countries of the Caribbean. Haitians speak creole, a common language in the world.…

    • 343 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Puerto Rico Puerto Rico has many amazing things. The scenery of this island is beautiful along with its many great landmarks. Puerto Rico has a very interesting history. It is a United State territory, but does not have the same taxes and laws. Along with the history, comes the culture.…

    • 1090 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The majority of their population are in big cities. Countries like Mexico and Brazil are population giants compared to countries in the Caribbean basin, with fewer than 100,000 people. Central America is on pace to grow by nearly 30%. This growth will put even more stress on the sub region that is already struggling. Same story for the Caribbean Basin, which has doubled in size since 1965.…

    • 905 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays

Related Topics