The political geographical division of Cuba in 1959 was almost exactly the same as the one established by the Spanish metropolis in 1878. The country was divided into 6 provinces and 126 municipalities. This division was not suitable for the socioeconomic and political changes made by the revolutionary process.

As of 1976, it was necessary to appropriately divide the country according with the needs of planning, administration and the control of economic, political and social activities.

Cuba is currently divided into 14 provinces and 169 municipalities, one of them with special characteristics and status. Form west to east the provinces are named as follows Pinar del Río, La Habana, Ciudad de La Habana, Matanzas, Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Sancti Spíritus, Ciego de Avila, Camagüey, Las Tunas, Holguín, Granma, Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo. The special municipality known as the Isle of Youth is located on the south coast of the Havana Provinces.

The criteria for the creation of the new limits between provinces consisted of the similarity in the characteristics of fundamental indicators, like extension, population and economic conditions.