Caribbean
7823
225910126
2008-07-15T23:43:59Z
Paul Magnussen
363188
Grammar.
{{otheruses}}
{{redirect|West Indian|the western part of India|West India}}
{{redirect|West Indies}}
{| border=1 align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=250 style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|+<big><big>'''Caribbean'''</big></big>
| align=center colspan=2 style="background:#f9f9f9;" |
[[Image:Location Caribbean.png|250px]]
|-
| '''Size''' || An [[archipelago]], {{convert|4020|km|mi|-1}} in length, and up to {{convert|257|km|mi|0}} wide; region contains more than 7,000 islands, [[islets]], [[reef]]s, and [[cay]]s
|-
| '''[[Population]] (2000) ''' || 37.5 million<ref name=p2000 />
<!--
|-
| '''[[Population density|Density]]'''|| *
-->
|-
|'''[[Ethnic groups]]'''|| [[Black people|Black]], ([[Yoruba]], [[Igbo]]), [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] ([[Arawak]], [[Caribs]], [[Taino]]), [[European ethnic groups|European]] ([[Spaniards|Spanish]], [[French people|French]], [[English people|English]], [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]]), [[Asian people|Asian]]
|-
|'''[[Demonym]]'''|| West Indian, Caribbean
|-
| '''[[Government]]''' || 13 [[sovereign]] [[state]]s; also, 2 [[overseas departments]] and 12 [[dependent territories]], the majority tied to the [[European Union]]
|-
| '''Internet [[Top-level domain|TLD]]''' || [[List of Internet top-level domains|Multiple]]
|-
| '''Calling Code''' || [[List of country calling codes|Multiple]]
|}
[[Image:Central america (cia).png|thumb|200px|Central America and the Caribbean]]
[[Image:Tectonic plates Caribbean.png|thumb|200px|Detail of tectonic plates from:
[[:Image:Tectonic plates.png|Tectonic plates of the world]]]]
The '''Caribbean''' ({{pronEng|ˌkærəˡbi:ən}}, kæ'rəbi:ən<ref>Both pronunciations are equally valid; indeed, they see equal use even within areas of the Caribbean itself. Cf. [[Royal Caribbean]], which stresses the second syllable, and [[Pirates of the Caribbean]], which stresses the first and third. In each case, as a proper noun, those who would normally pronounce it a different way use the pronunciation associated with the noun when referring to it. More generic nouns such as the [[Caribbean Community]] are generally referred to using the speaker's preferred pronunciation.</ref>; {{lang-nl|Cariben|Caraïben}} or ''Caraïben''; {{lang-fr|Caraïbe}} or more commonly ''Antilles''; {{lang-es|Caribe}}) is a [[region]] consisting of the [[Caribbean Sea]], its [[island]]s (most of which enclose the sea), and the surrounding coasts. The region is located southeast of [[North America]], east of [[Central America]], and to the north of [[South America]].
Situated largely on the [[Caribbean Plate]], the region comprises more than 7,000 islands, [[islets]], [[reef]]s, and [[cay]]s. Also called the '''West Indies''', since [[Christopher Columbus]] landed here in 1492 believing he was in the Indies(in Asia), the region consists of the [[Antilles]], divided into the larger [[Greater Antilles]] which bound the sea on the north and the [[Lesser Antilles]] on the south and east (including the [[Leeward Antilles]]), and the [[Bahamas]]. Geopolitically, the West Indies are usually reckoned as a [[subregion]] of [[North America]] and are organised into 27 territories including [[Sovereignty|sovereign]] [[state]]s, [[overseas departments]], and [[dependent area|dependencies]]. At one time, there was a short-lived country called the [[West Indies Federation|Federation of the West Indies]] composed of ten [[English language|English]]-speaking Caribbean territories, all of which were then [[United Kingdom|UK]] dependencies.
The Caribbean islands are an island chain {{convert|4020|km|mi|-1}} long and no more than {{convert|257|km|mi|0}} wide at any given point. They enclose the Caribbean Sea.<ref name="brief">{{cite book
| first=Ridvan
| last=Asann
| year= 2007
| title= A Brief History of the Caribbean
| edition= Revised
| publisher=Facts on File, Inc.
| location=New York
| pages= p. 3
| id= ISBN 0-8160-3811-2 }}</ref>
The region takes its name from that of the [[Carib people|Carib]], an [[ethnic group]] present in the [[Lesser Antilles]] and parts of adjacent [[South America]] at the time of European contact.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9020323/Carib
| title = Carib
| publisher = [[Encyclopædia Britannica]]
| accessdate = 2008-02-20
| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5ZDatLUlv
| archivedate = 2008-07-11
| quote = inhabited the Lesser Antilles and parts of the neighbouring South American coast at the time of the Spanish conquest.
}}</ref> In the English-speaking Caribbean, someone from the Caribbean is usually referred to as a "West Indian," although the phrase "Caribbean person" is sometimes used.
==Definition==
The term "Caribbean" has multiple uses. Its principal ones are [[geography|geographical]] and [[politics|political]].
* Physiographically, the Caribbean region is mainly a chain of islands surrounding the [[Caribbean Sea]]. To the north is the Caribbean Sea bordered by the [[Gulf of Mexico]], the [[Straits of Florida]], and the Northern [[Atlantic Ocean]] which lies to the East and Northeast; the coastline of the continent of [[South America]] lies to the south.
* Politically, the term "Caribbean" may be centered around socio-economic groupings found in the region. For example the bloc known as the [[Caribbean Community]] (CARICOM) contains both the [[Guyana|Co-operative Republic of Guyana]] and the [[Suriname|Republic of Suriname]] found in [[South America]] as full members. [[Bermuda]] and the [[Turks and Caicos Islands]] which are found in the Atlantic Ocean are Associate members of the Caribbean Community, and the same goes for the [[Bahamas|Commonwealth of the Bahamas]] which is a full member of the Caribbean Community.
==Demographics==
The population of the Caribbean is estimated to have been around 750,000 immediately before European contact, although higher figures are given. After contact, war and disease led to a decline in the Native American population.<ref>p. 486, A Population History of the Caribbean, Stanley L. Engerman, pp. 483–528 in ''A Population History of North America'', edited by Michael R. Haines and Richard Hall Steckel, Cambridge University Press, 2000, ISBN 0521496667.</ref> From 1500 to 1800 the population rose as slaves arrived from [[West Africa]] and immigrants from [[Kingdom of Great Britain|Britain]], [[France]], [[Spain]], the [[Netherlands]], and [[Denmark]], although mortality was high for both groups.<ref>pp. 488–492, Engerman.</ref> The population is estimated to have reached 2.2 million by 1800.<ref>Figure 11.1, Engerman.</ref> Immigrants from [[India]], [[China]], and other countries arrived in the 19th century.<ref>pp. 501–502, Engerman.</ref> After the ending of the [[Atlantic slave trade]] the population continued to increase naturally,<ref>pp. 504, 511, Engerman.</ref> and was estimated at 37.5 million by 2000.<ref name=p2000>Table A.2, [http://gisweb.ciat.cgiar.org/population/download/report.pdf Database documentation], Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Population Database, version 3, International Center for Tropical Agriculture et al., 2005. Accessed on line [[February 20]], [[2008]].</ref>
==Geography and climate==
[[Image:High street Barbados.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A street in Barbados]]
[[Image:Old San Juan aerial view.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[San Juan, Puerto Rico]]]]
The geography and climate in the Caribbean region varies from one place to another. Some islands in the region have relatively flat terrain of non-volcanic origin. Such islands include [[Aruba]] (possessing only minor volcanic features), [[Bahamas]], [[Turks and Caicos Islands]], [[Barbados]], [[Bonaire]], the [[Cayman Islands]] or [[Antigua]]. Others possess rugged towering mountain-ranges like the islands of [[Cuba]], [[Dominica]], [[Hispaniola]], [[Jamaica]], [[Montserrat]], [[Puerto Rico]], [[Saba]], [[Saint Kitts]], [[Saint Lucia]], [[Grenada]], [[Saint Vincent (island)|Saint Vincent]], [[Guadeloupe]], and [[Trinidad & Tobago]].
The climate of the region is tropical but rainfall varies with elevation, size and water currents (cool upwellings keep the [[ABC islands (Lesser Antilles)|ABC islands]] arid). Warm, moist [[tradewinds]] blow consistently from the east creating rainforest/semidesert divisions on mountainous islands. Occasional northwesterlies affect the northern islands in the winter. Winters are warm, but drier.
The waters of the Caribbean Sea host large, migratory schools of fish, turtles, and [[coral reef]] formations. The [[Puerto Rico trench]], located on the fringe of the [[Atlantic Ocean]] and [[Caribbean Sea]] just to the north of the island of [[Puerto Rico]], is the deepest point in all of the Atlantic Ocean.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/03trench/welcome.html| title=Puerto Rico Trench 2003: Cruise Summary Results| author=Uri ten Brink| publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration| accessdate=2008-02-21}}</ref>
[[Hurricane]]s, which at times batter the region, usually strike northwards of [[Grenada]], and to the west of [[Barbados]]. The principal hurricane belt arcs to northwest of the island of [[Barbados]] in the Eastern Caribbean.
==Biodiversity==
[[Image:Isla Saona.jpg|350px|thumb|right|[[Saona Island]], [[Dominican Republic]]]][[Image:sautmathurine640.jpg|200px|thumb|left|[[Ile a Vache]], [[Haiti]]]]
The Caribbean islands are classified as one of [[Conservation International]]'s [[biodiversity hotspot]]s because they support exceptionally diverse ecosystems, ranging from montane [[cloud forests]] to [[cactus]] [[scrubland]]s. These [[ecosystem]]s have been devastated by [[deforestation]] and human encroachment. The hotspot contains dozens of highly-threatened species, ranging from birds, to mammals and reptiles. Popular examples include the [[Puerto Rican Amazon]], two species of [[solenodon]] (giant shrews) in [[Cuba]] and [[Hispaniola]] ([[Haiti]] and the [[Dominican Republic]]), as well as the [[Cuban Crocodile|Cuban crocodile]]. The hotspot is also remarkable for the diminutive nature of much of its [[fauna]].
==Historical groupings==
{{Main|History of the Caribbean}}
[[Image:Political Evolution of Central America and the Caribbean 1700 and on.gif|thumb|300px|Political Evolution of Central America and the Caribbean from 1700 to present]]
All islands at some point were, and a few still are, [[colony|colonies]] of [[Europe]]an nations; a few are [[Dependent territory|overseas or dependent territories]]:
*'''[[British West Indies]]/[[Anglophone Caribbean]]''' – [[Anguilla]], [[Antigua and Barbuda]], [[Bahamas]], [[Barbados]], [[Bay Islands (department)|Bay Islands]], [[British Virgin Islands]], [[Cayman Islands]], [[Dominica]], [[Grenada]], [[Jamaica]], [[Montserrat]], [[Saint Croix]] (briefly), [[Saint Kitts and Nevis]], [[Saint Lucia]], [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]] ''(from 1797)'' and the [[Turks and Caicos Islands]]
*'''[[Danish West Indies]]''' – present-day [[United States Virgin Islands]]
*'''[[Dutch West Indies]]''' – present-day [[Netherlands Antilles]] and [[Aruba]], [[Virgin Islands]], [[Saint Croix]] (briefly), [[Tobago]] and [[Bay Islands (department)|Bay Islands]] (briefly)
*'''[[French West Indies]]''' – [[Anguilla]] (briefly), [[Antigua and Barbuda]] (briefly), [[Dominica]], [[Dominican Republic]] (briefly), [[Grenada]], [[Haiti]], [[Montserrat]] (briefly), [[Saint Lucia]], [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]], [[Sint Eustatius]] (briefly), [[St Kitts]] (briefly), [[Tobago]] (briefly), [[Saint Croix]], the current French [[Département d'outre-mer|overseas ''départements'']] of [[Martinique]] and [[Guadeloupe]] (including [[Marie-Galante]], [[La Désirade]] and [[Les Saintes]]), and the current French [[Collectivité d'outre-mer|overseas collectivities]] of [[Saint Barthelemy]] and [[Saint Martin (France)|Saint Martin]].
*'''[[Portugal|Portuguese West Indies]]''' – present-day [[Barbados]], known as ''Los Barbados'' in the 1500s when the Portuguese claimed the island en route to Brazil. The Portuguese left Barbados abandoned in 1533, nearly a century prior to the British arrival to the island.
*'''[[Spanish West Indies]]''' – [[Cuba]], [[Hispaniola]] (present-day [[Dominican Republic]], ''and until 1609'', [[Haiti]]), [[Puerto Rico]], [[Jamaica]] ''(until 1655)'', the [[Cayman Islands]], [[Trinidad]] ''(until 1797)'' and [[Bay Islands]] ''(until 1643)''
*'''[[Sweden|Swedish]] [[West Indies]]''' – present-day [[France|French]] [[Saint-Barthélemy]] and [[Guadeloupe]] (briefly).
[[Image:Caribbean spanish names.PNG|thumb|The mostly Spanish-controlled Caribbean in the sixteenth century]]
The British West Indies were united by the [[United Kingdom]] into a [[West Indies Federation]] between 1958 and 1962. The independent countries formerly part of the B.W.I. still have a joint [[cricket]] team that competes in [[Test cricket|Test match]]es and [[One Day International]]s. The [[West Indian cricket team]] includes the South American nation of [[Guyana]], the only former British colony on that continent.
In addition, these countries share the [[University of the West Indies]] as a regional entity. The university consists of three main campuses in [[Jamaica]], [[Barbados]] and [[Trinidad and Tobago]], a smaller campus in the [[Bahamas]] and Resident Tutors in other contributing territories.
== Present-day island territories ==
[[Image:CaribbeanIslands.png|thumb|center|500px|Islands in and near the Caribbean]]
{{Main|List of islands in the Caribbean}}
{{See also|Caribbean South America|Caribbean basin}}
{{MultiCol}}
* '''{{AIA}}''' ([[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|British]] [[British overseas territory|overseas territory]])
** [[Anguillita Island]]
** [[Dog Island, Anguilla]]
** [[East Cay]]
** [[Little Scrub Island]]
** [[Prickly Pear Cays]]
** [[Sandy Island, Anguilla|Sandy Island]]
** [[Scrub Island]]
** [[Seal Island]] (pronounced locally as "Sail Island")
** [[Sombrero, Anguilla|Sombrero]]
** [[West Cay]]
* '''{{ATG}}'''
**[[Antigua]]
**[[Barbuda]]
**[[Guiana Island]]
**[[Great Bird Island]]
**[[Lesser Bird Island]]
**[[Prickly Pear Island]]
**[[Redonda]]
* '''{{ABW}}''' (part of the [[Kingdom of the Netherlands]])
* '''{{BHS}}'''
**[[Abaco Islands|Abaco]]
**[[Acklins Island]]
**[[Andros, Bahamas|Andros]]
**[[Anguilla Cay]]
**[[Bimini|Bimini Islands]]
**[[Cat Island, Bahamas|Cat Island]]
**[[Cay Sal]]
**[[Crooked Island, Bahamas|Crooked Island]]
**[[Eleuthera]]
**[[Grand Bahama]]
**[[Great Abaco]]
**[[Great Exuma]]
**[[Great Inagua]]
**[[Gun Cay]]
**[[Little San Salvador Island|Little San Salvador Island/Half Moon Cay]]
**[[Long Island, Bahamas|Long Island]]
**[[Mayaguana]]
**[[New Providence]]
**[[Ragged Island]]
**[[San Salvador Island]]
* '''{{BRB}}'''
**'''Barbados'''
**[[Culpepper Island]]
**[[Pelican Island (Barbados)]] (now absorbed into Barbados)
* '''{{IVB}}''' ([[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|British]] [[British overseas territory|overseas territory]]; shares the [[Virgin Islands]] with the U.S. Virgin Islands)
**[[Anegada]]
**[[Beef Island]]
**[[Bellamy Cay]]
**[[Carvel Rock]]
**[[Cay]]
**[[Cockroach Island]]
**[[Cooper Island]]
**[[Dead Chest Cay]]
**[[Diamond Cay]]
**[[Dog Islands]]
**[[Drowned Island]]
**[[East Seal Dog Island]]
**[[Eustatia Island]]
**[[Fallen Jerusalem Island]]
**[[Frenchmans Cay]]
**[[Grouge Dog Island]]
**[[Ginger Island]]
**[[Great Camanoe]]
**[[Great Dog Island]]
**[[Great Thatch]]
**[[Great Tobago Island]]
**[[Green Cay]]
**[[Guana Island]]
**[[Jost Van Dyke]]
**[[Little Anegada]]
**[[Little Camanoe]]
**[[Little Cay]]
**[[Little Jost Van Dyke]]
**[[Little Seal Dog Island]]
**[[Little Thatch]]
**[[Little Tobago, British Virgin Islands|Little Tobago]]
**[[Little Wickmans Cay]]
**[[Marina Cay]]
**[[Mosquito Island]]
**[[Nanny Cay]]
**[[Necker Island (British Virgin Islands)|Necker Island]]
**[[Norman Island]]
**[[Old Jerusalem Island]]
**[[Oyster Rock, British Virgin Islands|Oyster Rock]]
**[[Pelican Island (British Virgin Islands)]]
**[[Peter Island]]
**[[Prickly Pear Island]]
**[[Saba Rock]]
**[[Salt Cay]]
**[[Sandy Cay]]
**[[Scrub Island]]
**[[Spanish Island]]
**[[Tortola]]
**[[Virgin Gorda]]
**[[West Dog Island]]
* '''{{CAY}}''' ([[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|British]] [[British overseas territory|overseas territory]])
**[[Cayman Brac]]
**[[Grand Cayman]] (with the capital [[George Town, Cayman Islands|George Town]])
**[[Little Cayman]]
* '''{{CUB}}'''
**[[Cayo Blancos del Sur]]
**[[Cayo Buenavista]]
**[[Cayo Coco]]
**[[Cayo Cruz del Padre]]
**[[Cayo Esquivel]]
**[[Cayo Fragoso]]
**[[Cayo Guajaba]]
**[[Cayo Guillermo]]
**[[Cayo Ines de Soto]]
**[[Cayo Largo del Sur]]
**[[Cayo Levisa]]
**[[Cayo Punta Arenas]]
**[[Cayo Romano]]
**[[Cayo Saetia]]
**[[Cayo Santa Maria]]
**'''Cuba'''
**[[Isla de la Juventud]]
**and thousands of minor cays and islets.
* '''{{DMA}}'''
**'''Dominica'''
**[[Isla Aves|Bird Island]] (disputed territory with [[Venezuela]] located about 110 km (70 mi) west of the island of Dominica)
* '''{{GRD}}''' (shares the [[Grenadines]] group with [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]])
**[[Carriacou]]
**'''Grenada'''
**[[Carriacou and Petite Martinique|Petite Martinique]]
**[[Ronde Island]]
* '''{{GLP}}''' ([[overseas department (France)|overseas department]] of [[France]])
** [[Basse-Terre Island|Basse-Terre]]
** [[La Désirade]]
** [[Grande-Terre]]
** [[Iles de la Petite Terre]]
** [[Iles des Saintes]]
*** [[Terre de Haut]]
*** [[Terre de Bas]]
** [[Marie-Galante]]
{{ColBreak}}
* [[Hispaniola]]
** '''{{DOM}}'''
*** [[AltoVelo Cay]]
*** [[Beata Island]]
*** [[Catalina Island]]
*** Cayos Siete Hermanos (Seven Brothers Cays)
*** Levantado Cay (Cayo Levantado)
*** [[Saona Island]]
** '''{{HAI}}'''
*** [[Gonave Island]]
*** [[Cayemites|Grande et Petite Cayemites]]
*** [[Île à Vache]]
*** [[Île de Anacaona]]
*** Ile de Sud
*** [[Les Arcadins]]
*** Lighthouse Island
*** Ti Teal
*** [[Tortuga]]
* '''{{JAM}}'''
** '''Jamaica'''
** Bogue Islands (some now absorbed into Montego Bay, Jamaica)
** [[Great Goat Island]]
** [[Little Goat Island]]
** [[Kokomo Island]]
** [[Lime cay|Lime Cay]] (part of the Port Royal Cays)
** [[Morant Cays]]
** [[Navy Island, Jamaica|Navy Island]]
** [[Pedro Cays]]
** [[Pigeon Island]]
* '''{{MTQ}}''' ([[overseas department (France)|overseas department]] of [[France]])
* '''{{MSR}}''' ([[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|British]] [[British overseas territory|overseas territory]])
* [[Image:Flag of Navassa Island (local).svg|20px]] '''[[Navassa Island]]''' ([[United States Minor Outlying Islands|minor outlying island]] of the [[United States]]; also claimed by [[Haiti]])
* '''{{ANT}}''' (part of the [[Kingdom of the Netherlands]])
** [[Bonaire]]
*** [[Klein Bonaire]]
** [[Curaçao]]
*** [[Klein Curaçao]]
** [[Saba]]
** [[Sint Eustatius]]
** [[Sint Maarten]] (part of the island [[Saint Martin]], shared with the overseas collectivity [[Saint-Martin (France)|Saint-Martin]] of [[France]])
* '''{{PRI}}''' ([[Commonwealth (United States insular area)|commonwealth]] of the [[United States]])
** '''Puerto Rico'''
**[[Vieques, Puerto Rico|Vieques]]
**[[Culebra, Puerto Rico|Culebra]]
**[[Caja de Muertos]]
**[[Desecheo Island]]
**[[Mona, Puerto Rico|Mona]]
**[[Monito, Puerto Rico|Monito]]
* '''{{SBH}}''' ([[overseas collectivity]] of [[France]]; also ''Saint Barts'')
* '''{{SKN}}'''
**[[Nevis]]
**[[Saint Kitts]]
* '''{{LCA}}'''
* '''{{SMT}}''' ([[overseas collectivity]] of [[France]]; part of the island [[Saint Martin]], shared with the [[Netherlands Antilles]])
* '''{{VIN}}''' (shares the [[Grenadines]] group with Grenada)
** [[Baliceaux]]
** [[Battowia]]
** [[Bequia]]
** [[Canouan Island]]
** [[Mayreau]]
** [[Mustique]]
** [[Palm Island, Grenadines|Palm Island]]
** [[Petit Mustique]]
** [[Petit Saint Vincent]]
** [[Saint Vincent (island)|Saint Vincent]]
** [[Tobago Cays]]
** [[Union Island]]
** [[Young Island]]
* '''{{TRI}}'''
** [[Tobago]]
***[[Goat Island, Trinidad and Tobago|Goat Island]]
***[[Little Tobago]]
***[[Saint Giles Island]]
***[[Sisters' Rock]]
** [[Trinidad]]
***[[Caledonia Island]]
***[[Carrera Island|Carrera ]]
***[[Chacachacare]]
***[[Craig Island]]
***[[Cronstadt Island|Cronstadt (Kronstadt)]]
***[[Faralon Rock]]
***[[Gaspar Grande]]
***[[Gasparillo Island|Gasparillo]] (Little Gasparee or Centipede Island)
***[[Huevos]]
***[[Lenagan Island]]
***[[Monos]]
***[[Nelson Island, Trinidad and Tobago|Nelson Island]]
***[[Pelican Island (Trinidad and Tobago)|Pelican Island]]
***[[Rock Island (Trinidad and Tobago)|Rock Island]]
***[[Saut d'Eau]]
***[[Soldado Rock]]
* '''{{TCA}}''' ([[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|British]] [[British overseas territory|overseas territory]])
**[[Grand Turk Island|Grand Turk]]
**[[Middle Caicos]]
**[[North Caicos]]
**[[Parrot Cay]]
**[[Pine Cay]]
**[[Providenciales]]
**[[Salt Cay]]
**[[South Caicos]]
**[[West Caicos]]
**[[East Caicos]]
**[[Ambergris Cays]]
* '''{{VIR}}''' ([[Territories of the United States#Unincorporated organized territories|unincorporated, organized territory]] of the [[United States]]; shares the [[Virgin Islands]] with the British Virgin Islands)
**[[Birsk Island]]
**[[Buck Island Reef National Monument|Buck Island]]
**[[Capella]]
**[[Cas Cay]]
**[[Congo Cay]]
**[[Cow And Calf Island]]
**[[Dog Island]]
**[[Dry Rock]]
**[[Fish Cay]]
**[[Flat Cay]]
**[[Grass Cay]]
**[[Great Saint James]]
**[[Green Cay]]
**[[Hans Lollik Island]]
**[[Hassel Island, U.S. Virgin Islands|Hassel Island]]
**[[Inner Brass]]
**[[Johnsons Reef]]
**[[Leduck]]
**[[Little Saint James]]
**[[Lovango Cay]]
**[[Mingo Cay]]
**[[Ningo]]
**[[Outer Brass]]
**[[Packet Rock]]
**[[Patricia Cay]]
**[[Saba Island]]
**[[Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands|Saint Croix]]
**[[Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands|Saint John]]
**[[Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|Saint Thomas]]
**[[Savana Island]]
**[[South-West Rock]]
**[[Stranglers Island]]
**[[Thatch Cay, U.S. Virgin Islands|Thatch Cay]]
**[[Turtledove Cay]]
**[[Water Island, U.S. Virgin Islands|Water Island]]
**[[Waterlemon Cay]]
**[[Welk Rock]]
{{EndMultiCol}}
== Continental countries with Caribbean coastlines and islands==
{{MultiCol}}
* '''{{BLZ}}'''
** [[Ambergris Caye]]
** [[Belize City]]
** [[Big Creek, Belize|Big Creek]]
** [[Caye Caulker]]
** Glover's Reef
** Hicks Cays
** Lighthouse Reef
** South Water Caye
** Turneffe Islands
* '''{{COL}}'''
** Archipelago of [[San Andres and Providencia]]
** [[Barranquilla]]
** [[Cartagena, Colombia|Cartagena]]
** [[Riohacha]]
** [[Santa Marta]]
* '''{{CRI}}'''
* '''{{GUF}}'''
* '''{{GTM}}'''
* '''{{GUY}}'''
** [[Hog Island, Guyana]]
** [[Leguan Island]]
** [[Wakenaam]]
* '''{{HON}}'''
** [[Guanaja]]
** [[Roatán]]
** [[Útila]]
** [[Cayos Cochinos]]
** [[Swan Islands, Honduras|Swan Islands]]
{{ColBreak}}
* '''{{MEX}}'''
** [[Quintana Roo]]
*** [[Cancún]]
*** [[Chetumal]]
*** [[Isla Contoy]]
*** [[Isla Cozumel]]
*** [[Isla Mujeres]]
*** [[Cozumel]]
* '''{{NIC}}'''
** [[Corn Islands]]
** [[Cayos Miskitos]]
** [[Pearl Cays]]
* '''{{PAN}}'''
** [[San Blas Islands]] (comprising more than 1300 islands)
** [[Bocas del Toro]] (archipelago with approximately 300 islands)
* '''{{SUR}}'''
* '''{{VEN}}'''
** [[Isla Margarita]]
** [[Los Monjes Archipelago]]
** [[Las Aves Archipelago]]
** [[Isla de Aves]]
** [[Los Hermanos Archipelago|Los Hermanos Island]]
** [[Islas Los Frailes|Los Frailes Island]]
** [[Los Roques Archipelago]]
** [[La Sola Island]]
** [[La Tortuga Island]]
** [[La Orchila|La Orchila Island]]
** [[Los Testigos Island]]
** La [[Blanquilla Island]]
** [[Isla de Patos]]
{{EndMultiCol}}
The nations of [[Belize]] and [[Guyana]], although on the mainland of [[Central America]] and [[South America]] respectively, are former British colonies and maintain many cultural ties to the Caribbean and are members of [[Caribbean Community|CARICOM]]. [[Nicaragua]]'s Caribbean Coast, often referred to as the [[Mosquito Coast]] was also a former British colony and maintains many cultural ties to the Caribbean distinct to the Pacific coast. Guyana participates in West Indies cricket tournaments and many players from Guyana have been on the West Indies Test cricket team. The [[Turneffe Islands]] (and many other islands and reefs) are part of Belize and lie in the Caribbean Sea. The nation of [[Suriname]], on the mainland of South America, is a former Dutch colony and also a member of CARICOM.
==Indigenous tribes==
* [[Arawak]]
* [[Carib|Kalinago]]
* [[Ciboney]]
* [[Galibi]]
* [[Garifuna]]
* [[Igneri]]
* [[Lucayan]]
* [[Taino]]
* [[Ciguayo]]
* [[Macorix]]
== Regionalism==
Caribbean societies are very different from other western societies in terms of size, culture, and degree of mobility of their citizens.<ref>Gowricharn, Ruben. Caribbean Transnationalism: Migraton, Pluralization, and Social Cohesion. Lanham: Lexington Books, 2006. pp. 5</ref> The current economic and political problems that the states of the Caribbean face individually are common to all Caribbean states. Regional development has contributed in attempts to halt current problems and avoided projected problems. [[Regionalism (politics)|Regionalism]] in the Caribbean from a political economic perspective is an attempt to portray Caribbean states as active participants in current international affairs through collective coalitions. In 1973, the first true orientation of regionalism in the [[Caribbean Basin]] was created on the advances of the English-speaking Caribbean nations through the institutional vehicle known as the Caribbean Common Market and Community ([[CARICOM]]).<ref>Hillman, Richard S., and Thomas J. D'agostino, eds. Understanding the Contemporary Caribbean. London: Lynne Rienner, 2003. pp. 150</ref> Certain scholars have argued both for and against generalizing the political structures of the Caribbean. On the one hand the Caribbean states are politically diverse, ranging from communist systems like Cuba to Westminster-style parliamentary systems like in the Commonwealth Caribbean. Other scholars argue that these differences are superficial, and that they tend to undermine commonalities in the various Caribbean states. Contemporary Caribbean systems seem to therefore reflect a “blending of traditional and modern patterns, yielding hybrid systems that exhibit significant structural variations and divergent constitutional traditions yet ultimately appear to function in similar ways.”<ref>Hillman, Richard S., and Thomas J. D'agostino, eds. Understanding the Contemporary Caribbean. London: Lynne Rienner, 2003. pp. 165</ref> The political systems of the Caribbean states share similar practices. The influence of regionalism in the Caribbean is often marginalized. Some scholars believe that regionalism could not exist in the Caribbean because each small state is unique. On the other hand, scholars also suggest that there are commonalities amongst the Caribbean nations which would suggest that regionalism exists. “Proximity as well as historical ties among the Caribbean nations has led to cooperation as well as a desire for collective action.”<ref name=serbin>Serbin, Andres. "Towards an Association of Caribbean States: Raising Some Awkward Questions." Journal of Interamerican Studies and World Affairs (2004): pp. 1</ref> These general attempts at regionalization owe a great deal to where the Caribbean stands in the international system and a desire to reposition itself to compete in the international economic system.<ref name=serbin /> Furthermore, a lack of interest from the other major states promoted regionalism in the region. In recent years the Caribbean has suffered from a lack of U.S. interest. “With the end of the Cold War, U.S. security and economic interests have been focused on other areas. As a result there has been a significant reduction in U.S. aid and investment to the Caribbean.”<ref>Hillman, Richard S., and Thomas J. D'agostino, eds. Understanding the Contemporary Caribbean. London: Lynne Rienner, 2003. pp. 123</ref> The lack of international support for the Caribbean which was comprised of small, relatively poor states, helped regionalism prospers through the creation of regional associations. One of the most important associations that deal with regionalism amongst the nations of the [[Caribbean Basin]] is the [[Association of Caribbean States]]. Proposed by [[CARICOM]] in 1992, the ACS soon won the support of the other countries of the region and in July of 1994, the association came into existence. The ACS is concerned with attempting to maintain regionalism within the Caribbean on issues which are unique to the [[Caribbean Basin]]. Through coalition building, like the ACS and [[CARICOM]], regionalism has become an undeniable part of the politics and economics of the Caribbean. The successes of region building initiatives are still debated by scholars, yet regionalism remains prevalent throughout the Caribbean.
== Regional institutions ==
Here are some of the bodies that several islands share in collaboration:
* [[Caribbean Community]] (CARICOM), [[Guyana]]
* [[Association of Caribbean States]] (ACS), [[Trinidad and Tobago]]
* [[Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States]] (OECS), [[Saint Lucia]]
* [[Caribbean Development Bank]] (CDB), [[Barbados]]
* [[CDERA|Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency]] (CDERA), Barbados
* [[Caribbean Examinations Council]] (CXC), Barbados and [[Jamaica]]
* [[Caribbean Programme for Economic Competitiveness]] (CPEC), [[Saint Lucia]]
* [[Caribbean Tourism Organisation]] (CTO), Barbados
* Inter-American Economic Council (IAEC), [[Washington, D.C.]]
* [[Latin American and Caribbean Internet Addresses Registry]] (LACNIC), [[Brazil]] and [[Uruguay]]
* [[ECLAC|United Nations - Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean]] (ECLAC), [[Chile]] and Trinidad and Tobago
* [[Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce]] (CAIC), Trinidad and Tobago<ref>http://www.caic.org.tt</ref>
* [[Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organizations]] (CANTO), Trinidad and Tobago<ref>http://www.canto.org</ref>
* [[Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation]] (CARILEC), Saint Lucia<ref>http://www.carilec.com</ref>
* [[Caribbean Hotel Association]] (CHA), [[Puerto Rico]]<ref>http://www.caribbeanhotels.org</ref>
* [[Caribbean Regional Environmental Programme]] (CREP), Barbados<ref>http://www.crepnet.net</ref>
* [[Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism]] (CRFM), [[Belize]]<ref>http://www.caricom-fisheries.com</ref>
* [[Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery]] (CRNM), Barbados and [[Dominican Republic]]<ref>http://www.crnm.org</ref>
* [[Caribbean Telecommunications Union]] (CTU), Trinidad and Tobago<ref>http://www.c-t-u.org</ref>
* [[West Indies Cricket Board]], [[Antigua and Barbuda]]<ref>http://www.windiescricket.com</ref>
* [[University of the West Indies]], Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago<ref>http://www.uwi.edu</ref>
==See also==
* [[African diaspora]]
* [[Americas (terminology)]]
* [[British Afro-Caribbean community]]
* [[Caribbean English]]
* [[Tourism in Caribbean]]
* [[CONCACAF]]
* [[Council on Hemispheric Affairs]]
* [[History of the Caribbean]]
* [[Indo-Caribbean]]
* [[Islands of the Caribbean]]
* [[Latin American and Caribbean Congress in Solidarity with Puerto Rico’s Independence]]
* [[List of Indigenous Names of Eastern Caribbean Islands]]
* [[Middle America (Americas)]]
* [[Music of the Caribbean]]
* [[Piracy in the Caribbean]]
* [[Pirates of the Caribbean]]
* [[Politics of the Caribbean]]
* [[Tongue of the Ocean]]
* [[West Indies Federation]]
* [[List of Caribbean-related topics]]
== References ==
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==Further reading==
* de Kadt, Emanuel, (editor). ''Patterns of foreign influence in the Caribbean'', London, New York, published for the Royal Institute of International Affairs by Oxford University Press, 1972.
* Kurlansky, Mark. 1992. ''A Continent of Islands: Searching for the Caribbean Destiny''. Addison-Wesley Publishing. ISBN 0-201-52396-5.
* [http://www.dloc.com Digital Library of the Caribbean]
* [http://www.caribsurf.net Eastern Caribbean Islands]
* Develtere. Patrick, 1994. "Cooperation and Development, with special reference to the Commonwealth Caribbean" ACCO, Leuven, ISBN 90-334-3181-5
* Gowricharn, Ruben. Caribbean Transnationalism: Migraton, Pluralization, and Social Cohesion. Lanham: Lexington Books, 2006.
* Henke, Holger, and Fred Reno, eds. Modern Political Culture in the Caribbean. Kingston: University of West Indies P, 2003.
* Heuman, Gad. The Caribbean: Brief Histories. London: A Hodder Arnold Publication, 2006
* Hillman, Richard S., and Thomas J. D'agostino, eds. Understanding the Contemporary Caribbean. London: Lynne Rienner, 2003.
* Knight, Franklin W.. The Modern Caribbean. na: The University of North Carolina Press, 1989.
* Langley, Lester D. The United States and the Caribbean in the Twentieth Century. London: University of Georgia P, 1989.
* Maingot, Anthony P. The United States and the Caribbean: Challenges of an Asymmetrical Relationship. San Francisco: Westview P, 1994.
* Ramnarine, Tina K., "Beautiful Cosmos: Performance and Belonging in the Caribbean Diaspora". London, Pluto Press, 2007
* Serbin, Andres. "Towards an Association of Caribbean States: Raising Some Awkward Questions." Journal of Interamerican Studies and World Affairs (2004): 1-19. (This scholar has many articles referencing the politics of the Caribbean)
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