Classic cars sit out front of El Capitolio

Free Computer Desktop Wallpaper Wall Paper Travel Photos Latin America Caribbean Classic American Cars Classic Cars Old Car Habana Havana La Habana Cuba Antique Car Vintage Car Capitolio Ciudad de la Habana Cuban Classic Automobiles Vintage Autos Tourist Attractions El Capitolio Capitolio Nacional Green Cars National Capitol Building Black and White B&W Yank Tanks Máquinas Maquinas Vertical Stock Photos Fine Art Prints Image Licensing Stock Photography Photographs Fotos Pictures Pics Pix Images

Havana, Cuba - Green classic American cars sit out front of Cuba's capitol building or El Capitolio (also referred to as Capitolio Nacional).  It is said to have been modeled after the US capitol in Washington DC.

Classic American cars are seen throughout Cuba, a throwback to the days before the embargo.  Before the Cuban revolution, there was a strong US presence on the island - both culturally and commercially.  After the revolution, trade ceased and the influx of cars stopped.  With a limited supply of new cars due to embargoes and limited buying power due to the economic situation under communism, Cubans have held onto the vintage automobiles by necessity for many decades. As a result, Cuba is in the unique position that pre-1959 cars are the standard, rather than an exception, although that is changing. These cars are generally referred to as yank tanks or maquinas and often used as taxis.