The Caribbean: Islands, Sea, and Cultural Mosaic of the Americas

The Caribbean is a region comprising the Caribbean Sea, its surrounding coasts, and its islands—situated southeast of the Gulf of Mexico, east of Central America, and north of South America.

Island Groups

Greater Antilles (larger islands)

• Cuba
• Jamaica
• Hispaniola (Haiti & Dominican Republic)
• Puerto Rico

Lesser Antilles (smaller islands)

• Leeward Islands: Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Anguilla, St. Martin, St. Barts, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, Montserrat, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique
• Windward Islands: St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire

Characteristics

• Tropical climate, coral reefs, rainforests
• Diverse cultures: Indigenous, African, European, Asian influences
• Economy: Tourism, agriculture, finance, shipping

The Caribbean is a vibrant crossroads of history, ecology, and culture.