In October, 1492, Columbus stepped onto Cuban soil and exclaimed it was the "most beautiful land his eyes had ever seen". French, Spanish, English, Portugese, and Italian people have left their influences in Cuba. In 1762, Havana was laid seige upon by Scottish troops who captured the city. Cuba was returned to Spain in exchange for England receiving Florida and Jamaica. During the slave riots in Hispaniola, French coffee growers immigrated into Oriente and established plantations. Colonial Spain ruled Cuba until the end of the Spanish American War. Cuba became an independent Republic in 1902. This website, www.eu-cu.com, is dedicated to the expanding friendship and trade between the European Union and Cuba