Countries that were once colonies have gone through various stages of evolution in order to develop economically, politically and culturally while gaining independence. Cuba, a former Spanish colony, has changed radically over the years. Although in some cases colonialism had a positive effect on the country in the field of education and health and on the other hand it created an economic gap between citizens. The country's government, social structure, and economy can be compared and contrasted throughout the precolonial, colonial, and postcolonial years.Early Precolonial SettlersKnowledge of the indigenous peoples of Cuba, the largest island in the Caribbean, before the colonial era stems from accounts by contemporary Spanish writers and archaeological examinations as opposed to written records since there was no evidence of them. The earliest knowledge of individuals immigrating to Cuba dates back to around 4,200 BC. After arriving in four waves of migration from mainland America, three different indigenous groups inhabited the island: the Tainos, the Ciboneys, and the Guanajatabeyes.EconomyThe first tribe, the Guanajatabeyes, arrived on the south coast in from North America. They gathered mainly food and fruit and lived on a diet mainly of marine molluscs. Native to Central and North America, the Ciboneys had evidence of their settlement found around the north and center of the island, where they were hunters and gatherers, living on fish and other seafood, birds and small rodents. Although they did not grow plants, they gathered wild fruits. Cuba's largest group of indigenous people, the Tainos, arrived in the 1400s as they fished, hunted and farmed...... middle of paper ...... people elected Cuba to join the Human Rights Council in November 2013. Separately, in May 2013, Cuba said it would consider allowing UN investigators to examine accusations of torture and repression, and to allow Red Cross officials to access the country's prisons for the first time in nearly 25 years. years.Cuba has traveled an exceptional path economically, politically and culturally since its discovery in 4200 BC. According to a recent report on the MDGs from the Overseas Development Institute, Cuba is among the twenty best-performing countries in the world. As a former Spanish colony, Cuba was under their rule for 388 years before gaining independence. We cannot predict the future of the country, but looking at the history of Cuba from its precolonial times to the present day, it is clear that it will be written by charismatic Cuban leaders..