Since tobacco and sugarcane were brought to the Caribbean by conquistadores, the two plants - which thrive in the Cuba's tropical climate - have been profitable cash crops in Cuba. In fact, of all countries in the world, Cuba dedicates the second largest land area to tobacco cultivation. Despite the U.S. embargo, Cuba's international market is strong: Tobacco ranks as the third largest source of hard currency for Cuba and the "Isle of Rum" exports some 36 million liters of rum a year to 120 countries.
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