Difference between revisions of "Caribbean Sea" - New World Encyclopedia

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| colspan="2" | [[image:Central_america.jpg|thumb|365px|Central America and the Caribbean [http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/reference_maps/pdf/central_america.pdf (detailed pdf map)]]]
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| colspan="2" | [[image:Central_america.jpg|thumb|365px|Central America and the Caribbean [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/reference_maps/pdf/central_america.pdf (detailed pdf map)]]]
 
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The '''Caribbean''', ([[Spanish language|Spanish]]: ''Caribe'') or the '''West Indies''' is a group of countries and [[island|islands]] in the [[Caribbean Sea]].  These countries or islands are located from the southeastern areas of [[Mexico]] to the northwest of [[Venezuela]] in [[South America]]. There are at least 7,000 islands, [[islets]], [[reef]]s, and [[caye]]s in the region. They are organized into 25 territories including [[Sovereignty|sovereign]] states, overseas departments, and [[dependent area|dependencies]].
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The '''Caribbean''', or the '''West Indies''' is a group of countries and [[island|islands]] in the [[Caribbean Sea]].  These countries or islands are located from the southeastern areas of [[Mexico]] to the northwest of [[Venezuela]] in [[South America]]. There are at least 7,000 islands, [[islets]], [[reef]]s, and [[caye]]s in the region. They are organized into 25 territories including [[Sovereignty|sovereign]] states, overseas departments, and [[dependent area|dependencies]].
  
 
The name "West Indies" originates from [[Christopher Columbus]]' idea that he had landed in the [[Indies]] (then meaning all of south and east [[Asia]]) when he had in fact reached [[Americas|the Americas]].  The name "Caribbean" is named after the [[Carib]]s, one of the dominant [[Amerindian]] groups in the region at the time of [[Europe]]an contact. The Caribbean consists of the Greater and Lesser [[Antilles]], and is often considered part of [[North America]].
 
The name "West Indies" originates from [[Christopher Columbus]]' idea that he had landed in the [[Indies]] (then meaning all of south and east [[Asia]]) when he had in fact reached [[Americas|the Americas]].  The name "Caribbean" is named after the [[Carib]]s, one of the dominant [[Amerindian]] groups in the region at the time of [[Europe]]an contact. The Caribbean consists of the Greater and Lesser [[Antilles]], and is often considered part of [[North America]].
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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.
 
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.
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The '''Caribbean Sea''' ([[IPA chart for English|pronounced]] {{IPA|/kəˈɹɪbiən/}} or {{IPA|/ˌkæɹɪˈbiːən/}}) is a [[tropics|tropical]] [[sea]] in the [[Western Hemisphere]], part of the [[Atlantic Ocean]], southeast of the [[Gulf of Mexico]].  A [[mediterranean sea (oceanography)|mediterranean sea]], it covers most of the [[Caribbean Plate]] and is bounded on the south by [[South America]], on the west and south by [[Mexico]] and [[Central America]], and on the north and east by the [[Antilles]]: the [[Greater Antilles]] islands of [[Cuba]], [[Hispaniola]], [[Jamaica]], and [[Puerto Rico]] lie to the north, and a plethora of [[Lesser Antilles]] bound the sea on the east.  The entire area of the Caribbean Sea, the numerous islands of the West Indies, and adjacent coasts, are collectively known as the [[Caribbean]].
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The Caribbean Sea is one of the largest salt water seas and has an area of about ''2,754,000 km²'' (1,063,000 [[square mile]]s)<ref>[http://www.allthesea.com/Caribbean-Sea.html The Caribbean Sea] All The Sea. URL last accessed May 07, 2006</ref>. The sea's deepest point is the [[Cayman Trough]], between Cuba and Jamaica, at 7,686 m (25,220 feet) below sea level.  The Caribbean coastline has many gulfs and bays: the [[Gulf of Venezuela]], [[Gulf of Darien]], [[Golfo de los Mosquitos]] and [[Gulf of Honduras]].
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==History==
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{{main|History of the Caribbean}}
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The name "Caribbean" is derived from the [[Carib]]s one of the dominant [[indigenous peoples of the Americas|American Indian]] groups in the region at the time of [[European]] contact during the late 15th century. After the discovery of the [[West Indies]] by [[Christopher Columbus]] in 1492, the Spanish term [[Antillas]] was commonly assigned to the lands; stemming from this, "Sea of the Antilles" is a common alternate name for the Caribbean Sea in various European languages. During the first century of development, the Spanish dominance was undisputed.
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The Caribbean Sea was an unknown body of water to the populations of [[Europe]] and [[Asia]] until 1492 when [[Christopher Columbus]] first sailed into Caribbean waters while trying to find a route to [[India]]. At that time the Western Hemisphere in general was unknown to Europeans. Following the discovery of the islands by Columbus, the area was quickly colonized by several [[Western Civilization]]s. Following the colonization of the Caribbean islands, the Sea became a busy area for European-based marine trading and transport, and this commerce eventually attracted [[piracy]].
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Today the area is home to 22 island territories and borders 12 continental countries. Because of an abundance of sunshine, year-round tropical temperatures moderated by the almost constant [[trade winds]], and the great variety of scenic destinations to visit, during the second half of the 20th century on into the 21st, the Caribbean Sea became a popular place for tourism, and this trend has favored the in creasing development of the cruise industry in the area (see [[Cruising (maritime)|Cruising]] and [[Cruise ship]]).
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==Geology==
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The Caribbean Sea is a mediterranean sea largely situated on the [[Caribbean Plate]]. Estimates of the sea's age range from 20,000 years to 570 million years. The Caribbean sea floor is divided into five [[Oceanic basin|basins]] separated from each other by underwater ridges and mountain ranges. Atlantic Ocean enters the Caribbean through the ''Anegada Passage'' lying between the [[Lesser Antilles]] and [[Virgin Islands]] and the ''Windward Passage'' located between [[Cuba]] and [[Haiti]]. The deepest points of the sea lie in [[Cayman Trough]] with depths reaching approximately 7,686 m (25,220 feet). Despite this, the Caribbean Sea is considered a relatively shallow sea in comparison to other bodies of water.
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The Caribbean sea floor is also home to two [[oceanic trench]]es: the [[Hispaniola Trench]] and [[Puerto Rico Trench]], which put the area at a higher risk of [[earthquake]]s. Underwater earthquakes pose a threat of generating [[tsunami]]s which could have a devastating effect on the Caribbean islands. Scientific data reveals that over the last 500 years the area has seen a dozen earthquakes above 7.5 magnitude. <ref> {{cite web | last = Dawicki | first = Shelley | url = http://www.whoi.edu/oceanus/viewArticle.do?id=3964 | title = Tsunamis in the Caribbean? It's Possible. | format = | work = | publisher = Oceanus | accessdate = April 30 | accessyear = 2006}} </ref>
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==Ecology==
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[[Image:Mar caribe.jpg|thumb|250px|right|A view of the Caribbean Sea from the [[Dominican Republic]] coast]]
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The Caribbean is home to about 9% of the world's [[coral reef]]s covering about 20,000 square miles, most of which are located off the Caribbean Islands and the [[Central America]]n coast.<ref> [http://marine.wri.org/pubs_content_text.cfm?ContentID=744 Status of coral reefs in the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean] World Resource Institute. URL accessed on April 29, 2006.</ref> Currently, unusually warm Caribbean waters are endangering the Caribbean coral reefs. Coral Reefs support some of the most diverse habitats in the world, but are fragile ecosystems.  When tropical waters exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period of time, microscopic plants called [[zooxanthellae]] die off.  These plant provide food for the coral and give them their color.  The resultant bleaching of the coral reefs kills them, and ruins the ecosystem.  Up to 42% of the coral colonies have gone completely white, while 95% have undergone at least some bleaching.<ref> [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/11/03/ap/tech/mainD8DKNQH80.shtml Bleaching Threatens Caribbean Coral Reefs]. CBS News. URL accessed on April 29, 2006.</ref>  The habitats supported by the reefs are critical to such tourist activities such as [[fishing]] and [[diving]], and provide an annual economic value to Caribbean nations of $3.1-$4.6 billion.  Continued destruction of the reefs could severely damage the region's economy.<ref> [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3679332.stm Alarm sounded for Caribbean coral]. BBC News. URL accessed on April 29, 2006.</ref> A ''Protocol of the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region'' came in effect in 1986 to protect the various endangered marine life of the Caribbean through forbidding human activities that would advance the continued destruction of such marine life in various areas. Currently this protocol has been [[ratified]] by 15 countries. <ref>[http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/international/spaw.htm  Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife to the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (SPAW)] NOAA Fisheries:
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Office of Protected Resources. URL accessed on April 30, 2006.</ref> Also several charitable organizations have been formed to preserve the Caribbean marine life, such as ''Caribbean Conservation Corporation'' which seeks to study and protect [[sea turtles]] while educating others about them.<ref>[http://www.oriononline.org/pages/ogn/vieworg.cfm?action=one&viewby=name&ogn_org_ID=893 Caribbean Conservation Corporation] Orion Online. URL last accessed May 1, 2006.</ref>
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==Weather==
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[[Image:NASA ASMR-E image of average SSTs of Hurricane Katrina.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Average sea surface temperatures (SSTs) for the Caribbean Atlantic Ocean([[25 August]]-[[27 August]] 2005.<ref>[http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/hurricane_record.html NASA Satellites Record a Month for the Hurricane History Books]</ref>]]
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The Caribbean weather is influenced by the [[Gulf Stream]] and [[Humboldt Current]] [[ocean current]]s.<ref>Silverstein, Alvin (1998) Weather And Climate (Science Concepts); page 17. 21st Century. ISBN 0-7613-3223-5</ref> The tropical location of the sea helps the water to maintain a warm temperature ranging from the low of 70 to mid-80 [[degrees Fahrenheit]] by the season.
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The Caribbean is a focal area for many [[Tropical cyclone|hurricane]]s within the Western Hemisphere.  A series of low pressure systems develop off the West coast of Africa and make their way across the Atlantic Ocean. While most of these systems do not become tropical storms, some do. The tropical storms can develop into [[Atlantic Hurricanes]], often in the low pressure areas of the eastern Caribbean. The Caribbean hurricane season as a whole lasts from June to December, with the majority of hurricanes occurring during August and September. On average around 9 tropical storms form each year, with 5 reaching hurricane strength. According to the [[National Hurricane Center]] 385 hurricanes occurred in the Caribbean between 1494 and 1900.
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Every year, hurricanes represent a potential threat to the islands of the Caribbean, due to the extremely destructive nature of these powerful weather systems. Coral reefs can easily be damaged by violent wave action, and can be destroyed when a hurricane dumps sand or mud onto the a reef. When this happens, the coral organisms are smothered and the reef dies and ultimately breaks apart.
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==Economy and human activity==
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[[Image:IMG 2908.JPG|thumb|250px|right|A Caribbean beach in [[Isla Margarita]], [[Venezuela]].]]
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The Caribbean region has seen a significant increase in human activity since the colonization period. The sea is one of the largest oil production areas in the world, producing approximately 170 million tons per year.<ref name="marinepollution">[http://www.cep.unep.org/issues/lbsp.html An Overview of Land Based Sources of Marine Pollution] Caribbean Environment Programme. URL last accessed [[May 14]], [[2006]].</ref> The area also generates a large fishing industry for the surrounding countries, accounting for half a million metric tons of fish a year.<ref>[http://na.nefsc.noaa.gov/lme/text/lme12.htm#fish LME 12: Caribbean Sea] NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center Narragansett Laboratory. URL last accessed [[May 14]], [[2006]].</ref>
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Human activity in the area also accounts for a significant amount of pollution, Pan American Health Organization estimating in 1993 that only about 10% of the sewage from the Central American and Caribbean Island countries is properly treated before being released into the Sea.<ref name=marinepollution/>
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The Caribbean region has a spanned a large tourist industry. The ''Caribbean Tourism Organization'' calculates that about 12 million people a year visit the area, including (in 1991–1992) about 8 million Cruise Ship tourists.{{Fact|date=June 2007}}
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==Popular culture==
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{{Trivia|date=June 2007}}
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{{sect-stub}}
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The Caribbean is the setting for countless literary efforts often related to [[piracy]] and [[swashbuckling]]. One memorable work of pulp fiction has in its title a geographic feature unique in its way to the islands: ''Fear Cay'', the eleventh  [[Doc Savage]] adventure by [[Lester Dent]]. Many [[James Bond]] adventures were set there.
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The area is also the setting for the well-known [[Disneyland]] and [[Disney World]] attraction, [[Pirates of the Caribbean]], which among other things is notable for cementing the alternative pronunciation (with the stress placed on the first and third syllables instead of the second) in many people's minds{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. The ride has been adapted into a trilogy of [[Pirates of the Caribbean films|''Pirates of the Caribbean'' films]], the first two of which take place in the Caribbean.
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==Footnotes==
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<references/>
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==References==
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* Snyderman, Marty (1996) Guide to Marine Life : Caribbean-Bahamas-Florida; page 13-14, 19. Aqua Quest Publications, Inc. ISBN 1-881652-06-8
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* Glover K., Linda (2004) Defying Ocean's End : An Agenda For Action; page 9. Island Press. ISBN 1-55963-755-2
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*  Peters, Philip Dickenson (2003) Caribbean WOW 2.0; page 100. Islandguru Media. ISBN 1-929970-04-8
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{{commons|Caribbean Sea}}
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== Present-day island territories of the Caribbean ==
 
== Present-day island territories of the Caribbean ==
 
[[Image:Tectonic plates Caribbean.png|thumb|right|350px|Detail of tectonic plates from: [[:Image:Tectonic plates.png|Tectonic plates of the world]].]]
 
[[Image:Tectonic plates Caribbean.png|thumb|right|350px|Detail of tectonic plates from: [[:Image:Tectonic plates.png|Tectonic plates of the world]].]]
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''See also: [[Caribbean South America]], [[Caribbean_basin]]''
 
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* '''{{AIA}}''' ([[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|British]] dependency)
 
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* '''{{ATG}}'''
 
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**[[Antigua]]
 
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**[[Barbuda]]
 
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**[[Redonda]]
 
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* '''{{ABW}}''' (part of the [[Kingdom of the Netherlands]])
 
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* '''{{BHS}}'''
 
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**[[Abaco]]
 
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**[[Andros, Bahamas|Andros]]
 
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**[[Cat Island, Bahamas|Cat Island]]
 
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**[[Eleuthera]]
 
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* '''{{BRB}}'''
 
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**Barbados
 
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**[[Culpepper Island]]
 
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**[[Pelican Island]] (now absorbed into Barbados)
 
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* '''{{IVB}}''' ([[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|British]] dependency, shares the [[Virgin Islands]] with the U.S. Virgin Islands.)
 
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**[[Anegada]]
 
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**[[Beef Island]]
 
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**[[Bellamy Cay]]
 
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**[[Cooper Island]]
 
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**[[Great Camanoe]]
 
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**[[Guana Island]]
 
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**[[Jost Van Dyke]]
 
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**[[Little Thatch]]
 
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**[[Marina Cay]]
 
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**[[Mosquito Island]]
 
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**[[Nanny Cay]]
 
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**[[Necker Island]]
 
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**[[Norman Island]]
 
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**[[Peter Island]]
 
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**[[Prickly Pear Island]]
 
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**[[Saba Rock]]
 
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**[[Salt Cay]]
 
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**[[Tortola]]
 
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**[[Virgin Gorda]]
 
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* '''{{CAY}}''' ([[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|British]] dependency)
 
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** [[Cayman Brac]]
 
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** [[Grand Cayman]] (with the capital [[George Town, Cayman Islands|George Town]])
 
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** [[Little Cayman]]
 
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* '''{{CUB}}'''
 
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**Cuba
 
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**[[Isla de la Juventud]]
 
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* '''{{DMA}}'''
 
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** [[Isla Aves|Bird Island]] (disputed territory with [[Venezuela]] located about 110 km (70 mi) west of the island of Dominica)
 
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* '''{{GRD}}''' (shares the [[Grenadines]] group with [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]])
 
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**[[Carriacou]]
 
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**Grenada
 
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**[[Petite Martinique]]
 
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* '''{{GLP}}''' (overseas ''department'' of [[France]])
 
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** [[Basse-Terre]]
 
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** [[La Désirade]]
 
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** [[Grande-Terre]]
 
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** [[Marie-Galante]]
 
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** [[Iles de la Petite Terre]]
 
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** [[Saint-Barthélemy]] (also ''Saint Barts'')
 
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** Saint-Martin (part of the island [[Saint Martin]] shared with the Netherlands Antilles; note the dash)
 
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** [[Iles des Saintes]]
 
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*** [[Terre de Haut]]
 
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*** [[Terre de Bas]]
 
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* [[Hispaniola]]
 
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** '''{{DOM}}'''
 
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** '''{{HAI}}'''
 
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* '''{{JAM}}'''
 
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* '''{{MTQ}}''' (overseas department of [[France]])
 
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* '''{{MSR}}''' ([[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|British]] dependency)
 
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*[[Navassa Island]] ([[United States|U.S.]] [[insular area]])
 
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* '''{{ANT}}''' (part of the [[Kingdom of the Netherlands]])
 
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** [[Bonaire]]
 
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** [[Curaçao]]
 
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** [[Saba]]
 
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** [[Sint Eustatius]]
 
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** Sint Maarten (part of the island [[Saint Martin]] shared with Guadeloupe)
 
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* '''{{PRI}}''' ([[Commonwealth (U.S. insular area)|U.S. commonwealth]])
 
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**[[Culebra, Puerto Rico|Culebra]]
 
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**[[Mona, Puerto Rico|Mona]]
 
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**Puerto Rico
 
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**[[Vieques, Puerto Rico|Vieques]]
 
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* '''{{SKN}}'''
 
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**[[Nevis]]
 
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**[[Saint Kitts]]
 
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* '''{{LCA}}'''
 
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* '''{{VIN}}''' (shares the [[Grenadines]] group with Grenada)
 
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** [[Bequia]]
 
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** [[Canouan Island]]
 
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** [[Mayreau]]
 
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** [[Mustique]]
 
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** [[Palm Island]]
 
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** [[Petit Saint Vincent]]
 
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** [[Saint Vincent (island)|Saint Vincent]]
 
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** [[Union Island]]
 
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** [[Young Island]]
 
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* '''{{TRI}}'''
 
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** [[Tobago]]
 
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***[[Little Tobago]]
 
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** [[Trinidad]]
 
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***[[Chacachacare]]
 
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***[[Gaspar Grande]]
 
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***[[Huevos]]
 
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***[[Monos]]
 
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* '''{{TCA}}''' ([[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|British]] dependency)
 
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**[[Grand Turk Island|Grand Turk]]
 
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**[[Middle Caicos]]
 
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**[[North Caicos]]
 
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**[[Parrot Cay]]
 
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**[[Pine Cay]]
 
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**[[Providenciales]]
 
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**[[Salt Cay]]
 
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**[[South Caicos]]
 
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* '''{{VIR}}''' (U.S. territory, shares the [[Virgin Islands]] with the British Virgin Islands)
 
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**[[Saint Croix]]
 
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***[[Buck Island Reef National Monument|Buck Island]]
 
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**[[Saint John, United States Virgin Islands|Saint John]]
 
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**[[Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands|Saint Thomas]]
 
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***[[Hassel Island, United States Virgin Islands|Hassel Island]]
 
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***[[Thatch Cay, United States Virgin Islands|Thatch Cay]]
 
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**[[Water Island, United States Virgin Islands|Water Island]]
 
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== Continental countries with Caribbean coastlines ==
 
  
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* '''{{BLZ}}'''
 
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** [[Ambergris Caye]]
 
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** [[Caye Caulker]]
 
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** [[Glover's Reef]]
 
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** [[Hicks Cays]]
 
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** [[Lighthouse Reef]]
 
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** [[South Water Caye]]
 
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** [[Turneffe Islands]]
 
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* '''{{COL}}'''
 
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** [[San Andres and Providencia]]
 
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* '''{{CRI}}'''
 
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* '''{{GUF}}'''
 
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* '''{{GTM}}'''
 
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* '''{{GUY}}'''
 
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* '''{{HON}}'''
 
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** [[Islas de la Bahía Department]]
 
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*** [[Guanaja]]
 
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*** [[Roatán]]
 
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*** [[Útila]]
 
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** [[Cayos Cochinos]]
 
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** [[Swan Islands]]
 
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** [[Swan Islands]]
 
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* '''{{MEX}}'''
 
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** [[Cancún]]
 
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** [[Isla Contoy]]
 
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** [[Isla Cozumel]]
 
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** [[Isla Mujeres]]
 
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* '''{{NIC}}'''
 
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** [[Corn Islands]]
 
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** [[Cayos Miskitos]]
 
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* '''{{PAN}}'''
 
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** [[San Blas Islands]]
 
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** [[Bocas del Toro]]
 
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* '''{{SUR}}'''
 
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* '''{{VEN}}'''
 
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** [[Isla Margarita]]
 
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** [[Los Monjes Archipelago]]
 
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** [[Las Aves Archipelago]]
 
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** [[Isla de Aves]]
 
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** [[Los Hermanos Island]]
 
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** [[Los Frailes Island]]
 
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** [[Los Roques Archipelago]]
 
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** [[La Sola Island]]
 
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** [[La Tortuga Island]]
 
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** [[La Orchila Island]]
 
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** [[Los Testigos Island]]
 
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** [[La Blanquilla Island]]
 
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** [[Isla de Patos]]
 
  
 
The nations of [[Belize]] and [[Guyana]], although on the mainland of [[Central America]] and [[South America]] respectively, were former British colonies and maintain many cultural ties to the Caribbean and are members of [[Caribbean_Community|CARICOM]]. The Turneffe Islands (and many other islands and reefs) are part of Belize and lie in the Caribbean Sea.
 
The nations of [[Belize]] and [[Guyana]], although on the mainland of [[Central America]] and [[South America]] respectively, were former British colonies and maintain many cultural ties to the Caribbean and are members of [[Caribbean_Community|CARICOM]]. The Turneffe Islands (and many other islands and reefs) are part of Belize and lie in the Caribbean Sea.
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{{Region}}
 
{{Region}}
  
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[[Category:Caribbean| ]]
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[[Category:Caribbean]]
 
[[Category:Americas]]
 
[[Category:Americas]]
  
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[[ca:Carib]]
 
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[[da:Caribien]]
 
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[[de:Westindische Inseln]]
 
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[[et:Lääne-India]]
 
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[[es:Islas Caribes]]
 
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[[eo:Antiloj]]
 
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[[fr:Antilles]]
 
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[[ko:서인도 제도]]
 
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[[id:Karibia]]
 
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[[it:Antille]]
 
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[[he:האיים האנטילים]]
 
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[[nl:Caribisch Gebied]]
 
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[[nds:Karibik]]
 
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[[ja:西インド諸島]]
 
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[[no:Karibien]]
 
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[[pl:Karaiby]]
 
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[[pt:Caribe]]
 
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[[sv:Västindien]]
 
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[[tr:Karayipler]]
 
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[[zh:加勒比海国家]]
 
  
 
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{{credit|25385758}}

Revision as of 01:49, 28 July 2007


Central America and the Caribbean (detailed pdf map)

The Caribbean, or the West Indies is a group of countries and islands in the Caribbean Sea. These countries or islands are located from the southeastern areas of Mexico to the northwest of Venezuela in South America. There are at least 7,000 islands, islets, reefs, and cayes in the region. They are organized into 25 territories including sovereign states, overseas departments, and dependencies.

The name "West Indies" originates from Christopher Columbus' idea that he had landed in the Indies (then meaning all of south and east Asia) when he had in fact reached the Americas. The name "Caribbean" is named after the Caribs, one of the dominant Amerindian groups in the region at the time of European contact. The Caribbean consists of the Greater and Lesser Antilles, and is often considered part of North America.

At one time, there was a short-lived country called the Federation of the West Indies composed of the English-speaking Caribbean islands of the region.

The Caribbean area is also famous for its sea pirates. See the article piracy in the Caribbean.

The region known as "Caribbean" is usually restricted to the islands of the Caribbean Sea, although sometimes the continental American coastline is included.

Historical groupings

Main article: History of the Caribbean

Most islands at some point were, or still are, colonies of European nations:

The British West Indies were formerly united by the United Kingdom into a West Indies Federation. The independent countries which were once a part of the B.W.I. still have a unified composite cricket team that successfully competes in test matches and one-day internationals. 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.


The Caribbean Sea (pronounced /kəˈɹɪbiən/ or /ˌkæɹɪˈbiːən/) is a tropical sea in the Western Hemisphere, part of the Atlantic Ocean, southeast of the Gulf of Mexico. A mediterranean sea, it covers most of the Caribbean Plate and is bounded on the south by South America, on the west and south by Mexico and Central America, and on the north and east by the Antilles: the Greater Antilles islands of Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico lie to the north, and a plethora of Lesser Antilles bound the sea on the east. The entire area of the Caribbean Sea, the numerous islands of the West Indies, and adjacent coasts, are collectively known as the Caribbean.

The Caribbean Sea is one of the largest salt water seas and has an area of about 2,754,000 km² (1,063,000 square miles)[1]. The sea's deepest point is the Cayman Trough, between Cuba and Jamaica, at 7,686 m (25,220 feet) below sea level. The Caribbean coastline has many gulfs and bays: the Gulf of Venezuela, Gulf of Darien, Golfo de los Mosquitos and Gulf of Honduras.

History

The name "Caribbean" is derived from the Caribs one of the dominant American Indian groups in the region at the time of European contact during the late 15th century. After the discovery of the West Indies by Christopher Columbus in 1492, the Spanish term Antillas was commonly assigned to the lands; stemming from this, "Sea of the Antilles" is a common alternate name for the Caribbean Sea in various European languages. During the first century of development, the Spanish dominance was undisputed.

The Caribbean Sea was an unknown body of water to the populations of Europe and Asia until 1492 when Christopher Columbus first sailed into Caribbean waters while trying to find a route to India. At that time the Western Hemisphere in general was unknown to Europeans. Following the discovery of the islands by Columbus, the area was quickly colonized by several Western Civilizations. Following the colonization of the Caribbean islands, the Sea became a busy area for European-based marine trading and transport, and this commerce eventually attracted piracy.

Today the area is home to 22 island territories and borders 12 continental countries. Because of an abundance of sunshine, year-round tropical temperatures moderated by the almost constant trade winds, and the great variety of scenic destinations to visit, during the second half of the 20th century on into the 21st, the Caribbean Sea became a popular place for tourism, and this trend has favored the in creasing development of the cruise industry in the area (see Cruising and Cruise ship).

Geology

The Caribbean Sea is a mediterranean sea largely situated on the Caribbean Plate. Estimates of the sea's age range from 20,000 years to 570 million years. The Caribbean sea floor is divided into five basins separated from each other by underwater ridges and mountain ranges. Atlantic Ocean enters the Caribbean through the Anegada Passage lying between the Lesser Antilles and Virgin Islands and the Windward Passage located between Cuba and Haiti. The deepest points of the sea lie in Cayman Trough with depths reaching approximately 7,686 m (25,220 feet). Despite this, the Caribbean Sea is considered a relatively shallow sea in comparison to other bodies of water.

The Caribbean sea floor is also home to two oceanic trenches: the Hispaniola Trench and Puerto Rico Trench, which put the area at a higher risk of earthquakes. Underwater earthquakes pose a threat of generating tsunamis which could have a devastating effect on the Caribbean islands. Scientific data reveals that over the last 500 years the area has seen a dozen earthquakes above 7.5 magnitude. [2]

Ecology

A view of the Caribbean Sea from the Dominican Republic coast

The Caribbean is home to about 9% of the world's coral reefs covering about 20,000 square miles, most of which are located off the Caribbean Islands and the Central American coast.[3] Currently, unusually warm Caribbean waters are endangering the Caribbean coral reefs. Coral Reefs support some of the most diverse habitats in the world, but are fragile ecosystems. When tropical waters exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period of time, microscopic plants called zooxanthellae die off. These plant provide food for the coral and give them their color. The resultant bleaching of the coral reefs kills them, and ruins the ecosystem. Up to 42% of the coral colonies have gone completely white, while 95% have undergone at least some bleaching.[4] The habitats supported by the reefs are critical to such tourist activities such as fishing and diving, and provide an annual economic value to Caribbean nations of $3.1-$4.6 billion. Continued destruction of the reefs could severely damage the region's economy.[5] A Protocol of the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region came in effect in 1986 to protect the various endangered marine life of the Caribbean through forbidding human activities that would advance the continued destruction of such marine life in various areas. Currently this protocol has been ratified by 15 countries. [6] Also several charitable organizations have been formed to preserve the Caribbean marine life, such as Caribbean Conservation Corporation which seeks to study and protect sea turtles while educating others about them.[7]

Weather

Average sea surface temperatures (SSTs) for the Caribbean Atlantic Ocean(25 August-27 August 2005.[8]

The Caribbean weather is influenced by the Gulf Stream and Humboldt Current ocean currents.[9] The tropical location of the sea helps the water to maintain a warm temperature ranging from the low of 70 to mid-80 degrees Fahrenheit by the season.

The Caribbean is a focal area for many hurricanes within the Western Hemisphere. A series of low pressure systems develop off the West coast of Africa and make their way across the Atlantic Ocean. While most of these systems do not become tropical storms, some do. The tropical storms can develop into Atlantic Hurricanes, often in the low pressure areas of the eastern Caribbean. The Caribbean hurricane season as a whole lasts from June to December, with the majority of hurricanes occurring during August and September. On average around 9 tropical storms form each year, with 5 reaching hurricane strength. According to the National Hurricane Center 385 hurricanes occurred in the Caribbean between 1494 and 1900.

Every year, hurricanes represent a potential threat to the islands of the Caribbean, due to the extremely destructive nature of these powerful weather systems. Coral reefs can easily be damaged by violent wave action, and can be destroyed when a hurricane dumps sand or mud onto the a reef. When this happens, the coral organisms are smothered and the reef dies and ultimately breaks apart.

Economy and human activity

File:IMG 2908.JPG
A Caribbean beach in Isla Margarita, Venezuela.

The Caribbean region has seen a significant increase in human activity since the colonization period. The sea is one of the largest oil production areas in the world, producing approximately 170 million tons per year.[10] The area also generates a large fishing industry for the surrounding countries, accounting for half a million metric tons of fish a year.[11]

Human activity in the area also accounts for a significant amount of pollution, Pan American Health Organization estimating in 1993 that only about 10% of the sewage from the Central American and Caribbean Island countries is properly treated before being released into the Sea.[10]

The Caribbean region has a spanned a large tourist industry. The Caribbean Tourism Organization calculates that about 12 million people a year visit the area, including (in 1991–1992) about 8 million Cruise Ship tourists.[citation needed]

Popular culture

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The Caribbean is the setting for countless literary efforts often related to piracy and swashbuckling. One memorable work of pulp fiction has in its title a geographic feature unique in its way to the islands: Fear Cay, the eleventh Doc Savage adventure by Lester Dent. Many James Bond adventures were set there.

The area is also the setting for the well-known Disneyland and Disney World attraction, Pirates of the Caribbean, which among other things is notable for cementing the alternative pronunciation (with the stress placed on the first and third syllables instead of the second) in many people's minds[citation needed]. The ride has been adapted into a trilogy of Pirates of the Caribbean films, the first two of which take place in the Caribbean.


Footnotes

  1. ↑ The Caribbean Sea All The Sea. URL last accessed May 07, 2006
  2. ↑ Dawicki, Shelley. Tsunamis in the Caribbean? It's Possible.. Oceanus. Retrieved April 30, 2006.
  3. ↑ Status of coral reefs in the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean World Resource Institute. URL accessed on April 29, 2006.
  4. ↑ Bleaching Threatens Caribbean Coral Reefs. CBS News. URL accessed on April 29, 2006.
  5. ↑ Alarm sounded for Caribbean coral. BBC News. URL accessed on April 29, 2006.
  6. ↑ Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife to the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (SPAW) NOAA Fisheries: Office of Protected Resources. URL accessed on April 30, 2006.
  7. ↑ Caribbean Conservation Corporation Orion Online. URL last accessed May 1, 2006.
  8. ↑ NASA Satellites Record a Month for the Hurricane History Books
  9. ↑ Silverstein, Alvin (1998) Weather And Climate (Science Concepts); page 17. 21st Century. ISBN 0-7613-3223-5
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 An Overview of Land Based Sources of Marine Pollution Caribbean Environment Programme. URL last accessed May 14, 2006.
  11. ↑ LME 12: Caribbean Sea NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center Narragansett Laboratory. URL last accessed May 14, 2006.


References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Snyderman, Marty (1996) Guide to Marine Life : Caribbean-Bahamas-Florida; page 13-14, 19. Aqua Quest Publications, Inc. ISBN 1-881652-06-8
  • Glover K., Linda (2004) Defying Ocean's End : An Agenda For Action; page 9. Island Press. ISBN 1-55963-755-2
  • Peters, Philip Dickenson (2003) Caribbean WOW 2.0; page 100. Islandguru Media. ISBN 1-929970-04-8
Commons
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Present-day island territories of the Caribbean

Detail of tectonic plates from: Tectonic plates of the world.


The nations of Belize and Guyana, although on the mainland of Central America and South America respectively, were former British colonies and maintain many cultural ties to the Caribbean and are members of CARICOM. The Turneffe Islands (and many other islands and reefs) are part of Belize and lie in the Caribbean Sea.

The USA, Canada, China and the European Union play a large role in the Caribbean economy and politics. It is rare for any part of the US coastline to be considered part of the Caribbean as they are located in parts of the Gulf of Mexico.

Indigenous Tribes

See also

Portal Caribbean Sea Portal


  • African diaspora
  • British Afro-Caribbean community
  • Caribbean English
  • Caribbean medical education
  • CONCACAF
  • Council on Hemispheric Affairs
  • History of the Caribbean
  • Indo-Caribbean
  • Music of the Caribbean
  • Politics of the Caribbean
  • Tourism in Caribbean
  • West Indies Federation

Regional Institutions

Here are some of the bodies that several islands share in collaboration:

  • African, Caribbean and Pacific states (ACP)
  • Association of Caribbean States (ACS), Trinidad and Tobago
  • Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC), Trinidad and Tobago [1]
  • Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Guyana
  • Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Barbados
  • Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA), Barbados
  • Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), Barbados and Jamaica
  • Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), Puerto Rico [2]
  • Caribbean Programme For Economic Competitiveness (CPEC), Saint Lucia [3]
  • Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), Belize [4]
  • Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM), Barbados and Dominican Republic [5]
  • Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), Barbados
  • Inter-American Economic Council (IAEC), Washington, D.C.
  • Latin American and Caribbean Internet Addresses Registry (LACNIC), Brazil and Uruguay
  • Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Saint Lucia
  • United Nations - Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago

Many of the nations in the Caribbean play international cricket as one team called the West Indies.

Template:Region


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