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Guantanamo Bay Naval Base

Imagine a special place in Cuba that's been a U.S. base for over 100 years! What's it like?

Images

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openverse
Lasioglossum mestrei, female, side_2012-06-27-17.46.24 ZS PMax
American gunboat and former yacht USS Nourmahal (PG 72) at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba, sometime between April and December 1943. She later became USCGC Nourmahal (WPG-122). Naval History & Heritage Command 26-G-4431. USS Nourmahal (PG-72) was a gunbo
Desalinization plant at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
Oxybelus analis, female, side, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba_2012-11-01-17.51.38 ZS PMax
Tachysphex alayoi, Female, Side, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba_2012-11-01-18.17.42 ZS PMax
GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, CUBA
Tachyspex alayoi, Female, Face, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba_2012-11-01-18.07.28 ZS PMax
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Lasioglossum mestrei, female, face_2012-06-27-17.35.46 ZS PMax
Cuba license plate 1960s Guantanamo Bay Naval Base
Tachyspec alayoi, Female, Back, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba_2012-11-01-18.01.09 ZS PMax

Key Facts

Location
Southeastern end of Cuba.
Area
45 square miles (117 km2).
Age of Lease
Since 1903.
Fun Fact
It's the oldest overseas American naval base.

A Special Spot on an Island!

Guantanamo Bay Naval Base is a special piece of land and water on the island of Cuba. It's like a tiny country within a country! It's not very big, about the size of 6,000 football fields. It's been used by the U.S. Navy for a super long time, even before your grandparents were born! It's the oldest American naval base outside of the United States.

Who Lives and Works There?

Lots of people live and work at Guantanamo Bay! There are U.S. Navy sailors and their families. It's like a small town with houses, schools, and shops. But it's also a place where important jobs happen to keep things safe. It's a busy place with people from the U.S. living and working far from home.

Super Old and Super Important!

This base is really, really old! It's been around since 1903. That's older than cars, airplanes, and even the movies! It's called the oldest overseas American naval base. This means it's the first one the U.S. ever had that wasn't in the United States. It's a place with a long, long story.

What's So Special About It?

Guantanamo Bay is special because it's a U.S. base on land that belongs to Cuba. The U.S. pays Cuba to use this land, like renting a room. It's a place that has seen a lot of history and is still a very important place for the U.S. Navy. It's a unique spot with a unique story.

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Based on content from Wikipedia · Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0