Cuban immigrationCubans are usually considered to be the most
successful Hispanic immigrant group, with educational and
economic profiles near those of the U.S. population as a whole.
They constitute the third largest Hispanic immigrant group in
the United States, behind only Mexicans and Puerto Ricans (see
Hispanic and related terms). Their migration to the United
States was fostered by both proximity and a unique diplomatic
relationship that did not apply to Canada. In the U.S. census of
2000 and the Canadian census of 2001, 1,241,685 Americans
claimed Cuban descent, but only 6,200 Canadians. Cuban
settlement in the United States after 1959 overwhelmingly
centered in Miami, Florida, adding to important earlier
settlements in New York City; New Orleans, Louisiana; Key West,
Florida; and Ybor City, Florida. Almost two-thirds of Cuban
Americans live in Florida. Cuba is the largest Caribbean island,
occupying 42,800 square miles between 19 and 24 degrees north
latitude. The nearest countries include the United