Deckert provides a rich historical background beginning with Christopher Columbus’s arrival in 1492, praising Cuba’s natural beauty and resources. The narrative continues by discussing the island's colonial history, highlighting the slow development of settlements under Spanish rule and the economic challenges faced due to competition with neighboring islands. As the opening unfolds, Deckert notes the rise of tobacco and sugar plantations, each influenced by the fluctuating market demands and the socio-political dynamics involving enslaved labor and the indigenous populations. The introduction sets the stage for a detailed exploration of Cuba's geographic features, cultural identity, and the complex interactions that shaped its history. (This is an automatically generated summary.)