<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> The island of Cuba was inhabited by various Mesoamerican cultures prior to the arrival of the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus in 1492 . After Columbus' arrival, Cuba became a Spanish colony, ruled by a Spanish governor in Havana . In 1762, Havana was briefly occupied by Great Britain, before being returned to Spain in exchange for Florida . A series of rebellions during the 19th century failed to end Spanish rule . However, the Spanish--American War resulted in a Spanish withdrawal from the island in 1898, and following three - and - a-half years of subsequent US military rule, Cuba gained formal independence in 1902 . </P> <P> In the years following its independence, the Cuban republic saw significant economic development, but also political corruption and a succession of despotic leaders, culminating in the overthrow of the dictator Fulgencio Batista by the 26th of July Movement, led by Fidel and Raúl Castro Ruz, during the 1953--59 Cuban Revolution . Cuba has since been governed as a socialist state by the Communist Party under the leadership of the Castro brothers . The country has been politically and economically isolated by the United States since the Revolution, but has gradually gained access to foreign commerce and travel as efforts to normalise diplomatic relations have progressed . Domestic economic reforms are also beginning to modernize Cuba's socialist economy . </P>

When did cuba gain its independence from spain