STRANGE AND WONDERFUL FACTS ABOUT GUANTANAMO BAY

Guantanamo Bay has been a US military base since 1903, making it the oldest US base outside of the continental United States. But did you know that there's an airport with a 12,000-foot-long runway on the base? Or that Americans like to vacation at Guantanamo Bay? The fact is: there are many things about this small corner of Cuba that most people don't know - even though it's in the news all the time. So let's take a look at some fun facts about this fascinating part of south Florida and its history.

1. It's the oldest US military base outside the continental US

The first thing you should know is that the base was established in 1898. That's right, we're talking about a military installation that predates America itself!

The base was originally a coaling station for the US Navy and was used to refuel ships and submarines during World War I and World War II. Today it's home to over 6,000 people and covers 45 square miles (115 square kilometers). The lease on this land - which belongs to Cuba - runs out in 2033, so you've got plenty of time left before you have to worry about relocating your family.

2. There's an airport with a 12,000-foot-long runway on the base

The airport was built in 1903, and it's the oldest continuously operating commercial airport in Cuba. The runway is 12,000 feet long and is the longest airport runway in Cuba. It's also the second longest airport runway in the Caribbean and the only one with a paved runway, which means you can get there from here regardless of weather conditions!

3. Americans like to vacation at Guantanamo Bay

One of the most popular locations for American tourists is Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In fact, it's so popular that many people who visit the base never even learn about its rich history and culture. It's not just a place where military personnel live - it's also home to a large population of civilians who work on the base, as well as tourists from all over the world. The base has several hotels and restaurants (including one called "The Cheesecake Factory"), a golf course, beachfront property with easy access to warm water beaches like South Beach Miami), and even an amusement park!

4. The base has a McDonald's and a Subway

If you're not in the mood for a burger, there's Subway. The sandwich chain opened its first base location in 2004 and now has three locations on base. They're open to the public, so if you have a hankering for some fried chicken or steak and cheese sub, it's just a short drive from the bay. If you want something healthy, McDonald's has salads!

The McDonald's even has a drive-through window, so that your children can be fed at whatever pace suits them best - or just park and go inside if they're feeling less adventurous than usual today. If your kids are having trouble making friends with other kids their age, no need to worry: there's also an indoor play area with coloring tables and arcade games like Skee-Ball and air hockey.

5. Cuba is still technically its landlord

The United States has been leasing the land at Guantanamo Bay since 1903, and technically Cuba is still its landlord. The US pays $4,000 per year for the 60 square mile peninsula, which was granted to them as part of a lease that lasts until 2023.

In a strange twist on this arrangement, however, Cuba has not exercised its right to terminate the lease - despite having done so with other countries before with nothing more than a notice period of 30 days. This means that technically it could end tomorrow if it wanted to!

6. The US didn't always pay rent for the base

• The US didn't always pay rent for the base

The US government has maintained an interest in Guantanamo Bay since 1898, when it was ceded to them by Cuba under the Treaty of Paris after the Spanish-American War. From that point through 1959, the US paid Cuba an annual rent of $2 per acre per year (approximately $20 today). After Fidel Castro's revolution drove out Cuban troops and nationalized all American land on the island - including Guantanamo Bay - the United States stopped paying rent altogether. In 1966, President Johnson agreed to resume paying Cuba $4,085 in gold coins each year (or about $48 today) as a symbolic gesture acknowledging that it legally owned the land.

7. From 1966 to 1973, the US paid $4,085 in rent annually

In 1966, the United States paid $4,085 in rent annually. In 1973, that figure jumped to $6,189. Fast forward to 2016 and it costs the US government $1 million per year for lease rights on Guantanamo Bay. The next year was slightly less expensive at $900k but by 2017 it was back up to $1 million again.

In 2019 the military's annual rent will increase by 25% due to President Trump increasing defense spending while cutting other federal agencies' budgets by 5%.

Learn some fun facts about Guantanamo Bay!

Learn some fun facts about Guantanamo Bay!

• The base was established in 1903 as a coaling station during the Spanish-American War.
• It's now home to the US Navy's Atlantic Fleet and its headquarters, as well as other important installations like an airfield, port and medical facilities.
• There are currently around 5,000 military personnel stationed there, plus another 3,200 contractors working for companies like Raytheon or Fluor Corp., who have contracts with the US government worth $400 million annually (this doesn't include security costs).

But what about those who live nearby? Many of them work for companies that rely on trade with Cuba or travel through the area regularly - a fact that has put them at odds with their neighbors since September 11th 2001 when travel between Cuban airports became illegal without special permission from US authorities. Today there aren't many residents left because most left during the 1960s due to fear of Soviet nuclear attack but still they remain proud of their heritage while maintaining strong relations between locals such as fishermen and boatmen alike."

Conclusion

The base is still in use today, with around 4,000 troops stationed there. It's also one of the most important military bases in the world - so much so that every US president since Franklin D. Roosevelt has visited it. The US has been using Guantanamo Bay as a military base for more than 100 years now, and it shows no signs of slowing down any time soon!