Images of Cuba

The Malecon is the treeless 11km promenade and highway that runs along the seafront and is ripe for redevelopment should things change Photograph: Alejandro Ernesto/epa/Corbis

Built at the start of the 20th century, it has become the social heart of Havana Photograph: Bob Sacha/Corbis

Forbidden fruit: The cigar became a symbol of the Cuban struggle, when John F Kennedy imposed a trade embargo on Cuba on February 7 1962 to sanction Fidel Castro's communist government. But not before he ordered 1,000 thousand petit coronas the night before Photograph: Alejandro Ernesto/epa/Corbis

There are thousands of resuscitated and resprayed vintage American cars in Cuba Photograph: Stefano Torrione/Hemis/Corbis

'Mi daiquiri en el Floridita y mi mojito en la Bodeguita,’ said Ernest Hemingway, who has also become part of the iconography of Cuba Photograph: Bob Krist/Corbis

Folklore dances in honour of ‘orishas’ (gods) of the santeria religion in Cayo Hueso, Old Havana Photograph: Peter Turnley/Corbis

Wall painting with the Communist Youth logo near Havana old Presidential Palace Photograph: Alejandro Ernesto/epa/Corbis

Probably the most recognisable political icon in the world: Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara, executed by the Bolivian Army in 1967 Photograph: Tim Page/Corbis

Sculpture of Che at Plaza de la Revolución Photograph: Peter Adams/JAI/Corbis

Old Havana: founded by the Spanish in 1519, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982 Photograph: Bob Krist/Corbis