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

From New World Encyclopedia
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[[category:Bodies of water]]
 
[[category:Bodies of water]]
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Caribbean
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From Wikipedia, the free 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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Central America and the Caribbean (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]].
−
The Caribbean, (Spanish: Caribe) 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.
+
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]].
  
−
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.
+
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 Caribbean area is also famous for its sea [[pirate]]s. 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.
 
The region known as "Caribbean" is usually restricted to the islands of the Caribbean Sea, although sometimes the continental American coastline is included.
  
−
Contents [hide]
+
== Historical groupings ==
−
1 Historical groupings  
+
''Main article: [[History of the Caribbean]]''
−
2 Present-day island territories of the Caribbean  
 
−
3 Continental countries with Caribbean coastlines
 
−
4 Indigenous Tribes
 
−
5 See also
 
−
5.1 Regional Institutions
 
−
 
  
 +
Most islands at some point were, or still are, colonies of [[Europe]]an nations:
 +
* [[British West Indies]] / [[Anglophone_Caribbean]] - [[Anguilla]], [[Antigua and Barbuda]], [[Bahamas]], [[Barbados]], [[British Virgin Islands]], [[Cayman Islands]], [[Dominica]], [[Grenada]], [[Jamaica]], [[Montserrat]], [[Saint Kitts and Nevis]], [[Saint Lucia]], [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]] and the [[Turks and Caicos Islands]]
 +
* [[Danish West Indies]] - present-day [[United States Virgin Islands]]
 +
* [[Dutch West Indies]] - present-day [[Netherlands Antilles]] and [[Aruba]]
 +
* [[French West Indies]] - [[Haiti]] and the French overseas [[département]]s of [[Guadeloupe]] and [[Martinique]]
 +
* [[Spain]] - [[Cuba]], [[Hispaniola]] (present-day [[Dominican Republic]] and [[Haiti]]), [[Puerto Rico]]
  
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[edit]
+
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 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.
−
Historical groupings
 
−
Main article: History of the Caribbean
 
  
−
Most islands at some point were, or still are, colonies of European nations:
+
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.
  
−
British West Indies / Anglophone_Caribbean - Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the Turks and Caicos Islands
+
== Present-day island territories of the Caribbean ==
−
Danish West Indies - present-day United States Virgin Islands
+
[[Image:Tectonic plates Caribbean.png|thumb|right|350px|Detail of tectonic plates from: [[:Image:Tectonic plates.png|Tectonic plates of the world]].]]
−
Dutch West Indies - present-day Netherlands Antilles and Aruba
+
''See also: [[Caribbean South America]], [[Caribbean_basin]]''
−
French West Indies - Haiti and the French overseas départements of Guadeloupe and Martinique
+
* '''{{AIA}}''' ([[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|British]] dependency)
−
Spain - Cuba, Hispaniola (present-day Dominican Republic and Haiti), Puerto Rico
+
* '''{{ATG}}'''
−
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.
+
**[[Antigua]]
 +
**[[Barbuda]]
 +
**[[Redonda]]
 +
* '''{{ABW}}''' (part of the [[Kingdom of the Netherlands]])
 +
* '''{{BHS}}'''
 +
**[[Abaco]]
 +
**[[Andros, Bahamas|Andros]]
 +
**[[Cat Island, Bahamas|Cat Island]]
 +
**[[Eleuthera]]
 +
* '''{{BRB}}'''
 +
**Barbados
 +
**[[Culpepper Island]]
 +
**[[Pelican Island]] (now absorbed into Barbados)
 +
* '''{{IVB}}''' ([[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|British]] dependency, shares the [[Virgin Islands]] with the U.S. Virgin Islands.)
 +
**[[Anegada]]
 +
**[[Beef Island]]
 +
**[[Bellamy Cay]]
 +
**[[Cooper Island]]
 +
**[[Great Camanoe]]
 +
**[[Guana Island]]
 +
**[[Jost Van Dyke]]
 +
**[[Little Thatch]]
 +
**[[Marina Cay]]
 +
**[[Mosquito Island]]
 +
**[[Nanny Cay]]
 +
**[[Necker Island]]
 +
**[[Norman Island]]
 +
**[[Peter Island]]
 +
**[[Prickly Pear Island]]
 +
**[[Saba Rock]]
 +
**[[Salt Cay]]
 +
**[[Tortola]]
 +
**[[Virgin Gorda]]
 +
* '''{{CAY}}''' ([[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|British]] dependency)
 +
** [[Cayman Brac]]
 +
** [[Grand Cayman]] (with the capital [[George Town, Cayman Islands|George Town]])
 +
** [[Little Cayman]]
 +
* '''{{CUB}}'''
 +
**Cuba
 +
**[[Isla de la Juventud]]
 +
* '''{{DMA}}'''
 +
** [[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
 +
**[[Petite Martinique]]
 +
* '''{{GLP}}''' (overseas ''department'' of [[France]])
 +
** [[Basse-Terre]]
 +
** [[La Désirade]]
 +
** [[Grande-Terre]]
 +
** [[Marie-Galante]]
 +
** [[Iles de la Petite Terre]]
 +
** [[Saint-Barthélemy]] (also ''Saint Barts'')
 +
** Saint-Martin (part of the island [[Saint Martin]] shared with the Netherlands Antilles; note the dash)
 +
** [[Iles des Saintes]]
 +
*** [[Terre de Haut]]
 +
*** [[Terre de Bas]]
 +
* [[Hispaniola]]
 +
** '''{{DOM}}'''
 +
** '''{{HAI}}'''
 +
* '''{{JAM}}'''
 +
* '''{{MTQ}}''' (overseas department of [[France]])
 +
* '''{{MSR}}''' ([[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|British]] dependency)
 +
*[[Navassa Island]] ([[United States|U.S.]] [[insular area]])
 +
* '''{{ANT}}''' (part of the [[Kingdom of the Netherlands]])
 +
** [[Bonaire]]
 +
** [[Curaçao]]
 +
** [[Saba]]
 +
** [[Sint Eustatius]]
 +
** Sint Maarten (part of the island [[Saint Martin]] shared with Guadeloupe)
 +
* '''{{PRI}}''' ([[Commonwealth (U.S. insular area)|U.S. commonwealth]])
 +
**[[Culebra, Puerto Rico|Culebra]]
 +
**[[Mona, Puerto Rico|Mona]]
 +
**Puerto Rico
 +
**[[Vieques, Puerto Rico|Vieques]]
 +
* '''{{SKN}}'''
 +
**[[Nevis]]
 +
**[[Saint Kitts]]
 +
* '''{{LCA}}'''
 +
* '''{{VIN}}''' (shares the [[Grenadines]] group with Grenada)
 +
** [[Bequia]]
 +
** [[Canouan Island]]
 +
** [[Mayreau]]
 +
** [[Mustique]]
 +
** [[Palm Island]]
 +
** [[Petit Saint Vincent]]
 +
** [[Saint Vincent (island)|Saint Vincent]]
 +
** [[Union Island]]
 +
** [[Young Island]]
 +
* '''{{TRI}}'''
 +
** [[Tobago]]
 +
***[[Little Tobago]]
 +
** [[Trinidad]]
 +
***[[Chacachacare]]
 +
***[[Gaspar Grande]]
 +
***[[Huevos]]
 +
***[[Monos]]
 +
* '''{{TCA}}''' ([[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|British]] dependency)
 +
**[[Grand Turk Island|Grand Turk]]
 +
**[[Middle Caicos]]
 +
**[[North Caicos]]
 +
**[[Parrot Cay]]
 +
**[[Pine Cay]]
 +
**[[Providenciales]]
 +
**[[Salt Cay]]
 +
**[[South Caicos]]
 +
* '''{{VIR}}''' (U.S. territory, shares the [[Virgin Islands]] with the British Virgin Islands)
 +
**[[Saint Croix]]
 +
***[[Buck Island Reef National Monument|Buck Island]]
 +
**[[Saint John, United States Virgin Islands|Saint John]]
 +
**[[Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands|Saint Thomas]]
 +
***[[Hassel Island, United States Virgin Islands|Hassel Island]]
 +
***[[Thatch Cay, United States Virgin Islands|Thatch Cay]]
 +
**[[Water Island, United States Virgin Islands|Water Island]]
  
−
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.
+
== Continental countries with Caribbean coastlines ==
  
−
[edit]
+
* '''{{BLZ}}'''
−
Present-day island territories of the Caribbean
+
** [[Ambergris Caye]]
−
+
** [[Caye Caulker]]
−
Detail of tectonic plates from: Tectonic plates of the world.See also: Caribbean South America, Caribbean_basin
+
** [[Glover's Reef]]
 +
** [[Hicks Cays]]
 +
** [[Lighthouse Reef]]
 +
** [[South Water Caye]]
 +
** [[Turneffe Islands]]
 +
* '''{{COL}}'''
 +
** [[San Andres and Providencia]]
 +
* '''{{CRI}}'''
 +
* '''{{GUF}}'''
 +
* '''{{GTM}}'''
 +
* '''{{GUY}}'''
 +
* '''{{HON}}'''
 +
** [[Islas de la Bahía Department]]
 +
*** [[Guanaja]]
 +
*** [[Roatán]]
 +
*** [[Útila]]
 +
** [[Cayos Cochinos]]
 +
** [[Swan Islands]]
 +
** [[Swan Islands]]
 +
* '''{{MEX}}'''
 +
** [[Cancún]]
 +
** [[Isla Contoy]]
 +
** [[Isla Cozumel]]
 +
** [[Isla Mujeres]]
 +
* '''{{NIC}}'''
 +
** [[Corn Islands]]
 +
** [[Cayos Miskitos]]
 +
* '''{{PAN}}'''
 +
** [[San Blas Islands]]
 +
** [[Bocas del Toro]]
 +
* '''{{SUR}}'''
 +
* '''{{VEN}}'''
 +
** [[Isla Margarita]]
 +
** [[Los Monjes Archipelago]]
 +
** [[Las Aves Archipelago]]
 +
** [[Isla de Aves]]
 +
** [[Los Hermanos Island]]
 +
** [[Los Frailes Island]]
 +
** [[Los Roques Archipelago]]
 +
** [[La Sola Island]]
 +
** [[La Tortuga Island]]
 +
** [[La Orchila Island]]
 +
** [[Los Testigos Island]]
 +
** [[La Blanquilla Island]]
 +
** [[Isla de Patos]]
  
−
Anguilla (British dependency)
+
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.
−
Antigua and Barbuda
 
−
Antigua
 
−
Barbuda
 
−
Redonda
 
−
Aruba (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
 
−
Bahamas
 
−
Abaco
 
−
Andros
 
−
Cat Island
 
−
Eleuthera
 
−
Barbados
 
−
Barbados
 
−
Culpepper Island
 
−
Pelican Island (now absorbed into Barbados)
 
−
British Virgin Islands (British dependency, shares the Virgin Islands with the U.S. Virgin Islands.)
 
−
Anegada
 
−
Beef Island
 
−
Bellamy Cay
 
−
Cooper Island
 
−
Great Camanoe
 
−
Guana Island
 
−
Jost Van Dyke
 
−
Little Thatch
 
−
Marina Cay
 
−
Mosquito Island
 
−
Nanny Cay
 
−
Necker Island
 
−
Norman Island
 
−
Peter Island
 
−
Prickly Pear Island
 
−
Saba Rock
 
−
Salt Cay
 
−
Tortola
 
−
Virgin Gorda
 
−
Cayman Islands (British dependency)
 
−
Cayman Brac
 
−
Grand Cayman (with the capital George Town)
 
−
Little Cayman
 
−
Cuba
 
−
Cuba
 
−
Isla de la Juventud
 
−
Dominica
 
−
Bird Island (disputed territory with Venezuela located about 110 km (70 mi) west of the island of Dominica)
 
−
Grenada (shares the Grenadines group with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
 
−
Carriacou
 
−
Grenada
 
−
Petite Martinique
 
−
Guadeloupe (overseas department of France)
 
−
Basse-Terre
 
−
La Désirade
 
−
Grande-Terre
 
−
Marie-Galante
 
−
Iles de la Petite Terre
 
−
Saint-Barthélemy (also Saint Barts)
 
−
Saint-Martin (part of the island Saint Martin shared with the Netherlands Antilles; note the dash)
 
−
Iles des Saintes
 
−
Terre de Haut
 
−
Terre de Bas
 
−
Hispaniola
 
−
Dominican Republic
 
−
Haiti
 
−
Jamaica
 
−
Martinique (overseas department of France)
 
−
Montserrat (British dependency)
 
−
Navassa Island (U.S. insular area)
 
−
Netherlands Antilles (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
 
−
Bonaire
 
−
Curaçao
 
−
Saba
 
−
Sint Eustatius
 
−
Sint Maarten (part of the island Saint Martin shared with Guadeloupe)
 
−
Puerto Rico (U.S. commonwealth)
 
−
Culebra
 
−
Mona
 
−
Puerto Rico
 
−
Vieques
 
−
Saint Kitts and Nevis
 
−
Nevis
 
−
Saint Kitts
 
−
Saint Lucia
 
−
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (shares the Grenadines group with Grenada)
 
−
Bequia
 
−
Canouan Island
 
−
Mayreau
 
−
Mustique
 
−
Palm Island
 
−
Petit Saint Vincent
 
−
Saint Vincent
 
−
Union Island
 
−
Young Island
 
−
Trinidad and Tobago
 
−
Tobago
 
−
Little Tobago
 
−
Trinidad
 
−
Chacachacare
 
−
Gaspar Grande
 
−
Huevos
 
−
Monos
 
−
Turks and Caicos Islands (British dependency)
 
−
Grand Turk
 
−
Middle Caicos
 
−
North Caicos
 
−
Parrot Cay
 
−
Pine Cay
 
−
Providenciales
 
−
Salt Cay
 
−
South Caicos
 
−
United States Virgin Islands (U.S. territory, shares the Virgin Islands with the British Virgin Islands)
 
−
Saint Croix
 
−
Buck Island
 
−
Saint John
 
−
Saint Thomas
 
−
Hassel Island
 
−
Thatch Cay
 
−
Water Island
 
−
[edit]
 
−
Continental countries with Caribbean coastlines
 
−
Belize
 
−
Ambergris Caye
 
−
Caye Caulker
 
−
Glover's Reef
 
−
Hicks Cays
 
−
Lighthouse Reef
 
−
South Water Caye
 
−
Turneffe Islands
 
−
Colombia
 
−
San Andres and Providencia
 
−
Costa Rica
 
−
French Guiana
 
−
Guatemala
 
−
Guyana
 
−
Honduras
 
−
Islas de la Bahía Department
 
−
Guanaja
 
−
Roatán
 
−
Útila
 
−
Cayos Cochinos
 
−
Swan Islands
 
−
Swan Islands
 
−
Mexico
 
−
Cancún
 
−
Isla Contoy
 
−
Isla Cozumel
 
−
Isla Mujeres
 
−
Nicaragua
 
−
Corn Islands
 
−
Cayos Miskitos
 
−
Panama
 
−
San Blas Islands
 
−
Bocas del Toro
 
−
Suriname
 
−
Venezuela
 
−
Isla Margarita
 
−
Los Monjes Archipelago
 
−
Las Aves Archipelago
 
−
Isla de Aves
 
−
Los Hermanos Island
 
−
Los Frailes Island
 
−
Los Roques Archipelago
 
−
La Sola Island
 
−
La Tortuga Island
 
−
La Orchila Island
 
−
Los Testigos Island
 
−
La Blanquilla Island
 
−
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 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.
+
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]].
  
−
[edit]
+
== [[Indigenous Peoples of the Americas|Indigenous]] Tribes ==
−
Indigenous Tribes
 
−
Arawak
 
−
Carib
 
−
Ciboney
 
−
Garifuna
 
−
Lucayan
 
−
Taino
 
−
[edit]
 
−
See also
 
−
Caribbean portal
 
−
Find more information on Caribbean by searching one of Wikipedia's sibling projects:
 
−
Wiktionary (a free dictionary)
 
−
Wikibooks (free textbooks)
 
−
Wikiquote (quotations)
 
−
Wikisource (a free library)
 
−
Commons (images and media)
 
−
Wikinews (news stories)
 
−
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
 
−
[edit]
 
−
Regional Institutions
 
−
Here are some of the bodies that several islands share in collaboration:
 
  
−
African, Caribbean and Pacific states (ACP)
+
* [[Arawak]]
−
Association of Caribbean States (ACS), Trinidad and Tobago
+
* [[Carib]]
−
Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC), Trinidad and Tobago [1]  
+
* [[Ciboney]]
−
Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Guyana
+
* [[Garifuna]]
−
Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Barbados
+
* [[Lucayan]]
−
Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA), Barbados
+
* [[Taino]]
−
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.
 
  
 +
==See also==
 +
{{portal}}
 +
{{sisterlinks|Caribbean}}
  
 +
* [[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]]
 +
* [[List_of_popular_tourist_regions#Tourism_in_Caribbean|Tourism in Caribbean]]
 +
* [[West Indies Federation]]
  
 +
===Regional [[List of international organizations|Institutions]]===
 +
''Here are some of the bodies that several islands share in collaboration'':
 +
* [[ACP countries|African, Caribbean and Pacific states]] (ACP)
 +
* [[Association of Caribbean States]] (ACS), [[Trinidad and Tobago]]
 +
* [[Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce]] (CAIC), Trinidad and Tobago [http://www.caic.org.tt/]
 +
* [[Caribbean Community]] (CARICOM), [[Guyana]]
 +
* [[Caribbean Development Bank]] (CDB), [[Barbados]]
 +
* [[CDERA|Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency]] (CDERA), Barbados
 +
* [[Caribbean Examinations Council]] (CXC), Barbados and [[Jamaica]]
 +
* [[Caribbean Hotel Association]] (CHA), [[Puerto Rico]] [http://www.caribbeanhotels.org/]
 +
* [[Caribbean Programme For Economic Competitiveness]] (CPEC), [[Saint Lucia]] [http://www.cpechrd.org/]
 +
* [[Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism]] (CRFM), [[Belize]] [http://www.caricom-fisheries.com/]
 +
* [[Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery]] (CRNM), Barbados and [[Dominican Republic]] [http://www.crnm.org/]
 +
* [[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]]
 +
* [[ECLAC|United Nations - Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean]] (ECLAC), [[Costa Rica]] and Trinidad and Tobago
  
−
Regions of the World
+
Many of the nations in the Caribbean play international cricket as one team called the [[West Indian cricket team|West Indies]].
−
Africa: Central Africa | Congo | East Africa | Great Lakes | Guinea | Horn of Africa | North Africa | Maghreb / Northwest Africa | Sahel | Southern Africa | Sub-Saharan Africa | Sudan | West Africa
 
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Revision as of 07:20, 13 October 2005

Central America and the Caribbean (detailed pdf map)

The Caribbean, (Spanish: Caribe) 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.

Present-day island territories of the Caribbean

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

See also: Caribbean South America, Caribbean_basin

  • Template:AIA (British dependency)
  • Flag of Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda
    • Antigua
    • Barbuda
    • Redonda
  • Template:ABW (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
  • Flag of The Bahamas Bahamas
    • Abaco
    • Andros
    • Cat Island
    • Eleuthera
  • Flag of Barbados Barbados
    • Barbados
    • Culpepper Island
    • Pelican Island (now absorbed into Barbados)
  • Template:IVB (British dependency, shares the Virgin Islands with the U.S. Virgin Islands.)
    • Anegada
    • Beef Island
    • Bellamy Cay
    • Cooper Island
    • Great Camanoe
    • Guana Island
    • Jost Van Dyke
    • Little Thatch
    • Marina Cay
    • Mosquito Island
    • Nanny Cay
    • Necker Island
    • Norman Island
    • Peter Island
    • Prickly Pear Island
    • Saba Rock
    • Salt Cay
    • Tortola
    • Virgin Gorda
  • Template:CAY (British dependency)
    • Cayman Brac
    • Grand Cayman (with the capital George Town)
    • Little Cayman
  • Flag of Cuba Cuba
    • Cuba
    • Isla de la Juventud
  • Flag of Dominica Dominica
    • Bird Island (disputed territory with Venezuela located about 110 km (70 mi) west of the island of Dominica)
  • Flag of Grenada Grenada (shares the Grenadines group with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
    • Carriacou
    • Grenada
    • Petite Martinique
  • Flag of Guadeloupe Guadeloupe (overseas department of France)
    • Basse-Terre
    • La Désirade
    • Grande-Terre
    • Marie-Galante
    • Iles de la Petite Terre
    • Saint-Barthélemy (also Saint Barts)
    • Saint-Martin (part of the island Saint Martin shared with the Netherlands Antilles; note the dash)
    • Iles des Saintes
      • Terre de Haut
      • Terre de Bas
  • Hispaniola
  • Flag of Jamaica Jamaica
  • Template:MTQ (overseas department of France)
  • Flag of Montserrat Montserrat (British dependency)
  • Navassa Island (U.S. insular area)
  • Template:ANT (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
    • Bonaire
    • Curaçao
    • Saba
    • Sint Eustatius
    • Sint Maarten (part of the island Saint Martin shared with Guadeloupe)
  • Flag of Puerto Rico Puerto Rico (U.S. commonwealth)
    • Culebra
    • Mona
    • Puerto Rico
    • Vieques
  • Flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Kitts and Nevis
    • Nevis
    • Saint Kitts
  • Flag of Saint Lucia Saint Lucia
  • Template:VIN (shares the Grenadines group with Grenada)
    • Bequia
    • Canouan Island
    • Mayreau
    • Mustique
    • Palm Island
    • Petit Saint Vincent
    • Saint Vincent
    • Union Island
    • Young Island
  • Template:TRI
    • Tobago
      • Little Tobago
    • Trinidad
      • Chacachacare
      • Gaspar Grande
      • Huevos
      • Monos
  • Flag of Turks and Caicos Islands Turks and Caicos Islands (British dependency)
    • Grand Turk
    • Middle Caicos
    • North Caicos
    • Parrot Cay
    • Pine Cay
    • Providenciales
    • Salt Cay
    • South Caicos
  • Flag of United States Virgin Islands United States Virgin Islands (U.S. territory, shares the Virgin Islands with the British Virgin Islands)
    • Saint Croix
      • Buck Island
    • Saint John
    • Saint Thomas
      • Hassel Island
      • Thatch Cay
    • Water Island

Continental countries with Caribbean coastlines

  • Flag of Belize Belize
    • Ambergris Caye
    • Caye Caulker
    • Glover's Reef
    • Hicks Cays
    • Lighthouse Reef
    • South Water Caye
    • Turneffe Islands
  • Flag of Colombia Colombia
    • San Andres and Providencia
  • Flag of Costa Rica Costa Rica
  • Template:GUF
  • Flag of Guatemala Guatemala
  • Flag of Guyana Guyana
  • Template:HON
    • Islas de la Bahía Department
      • Guanaja
      • Roatán
      • Útila
    • Cayos Cochinos
    • Swan Islands
    • Swan Islands
  • Flag of Mexico Mexico
    • Cancún
    • Isla Contoy
    • Isla Cozumel
    • Isla Mujeres
  • Flag of Nicaragua Nicaragua
    • Corn Islands
    • Cayos Miskitos
  • Flag of Panama Panama
    • San Blas Islands
    • Bocas del Toro
  • Flag of Suriname Suriname
  • Flag of Venezuela Venezuela
    • Isla Margarita
    • Los Monjes Archipelago
    • Las Aves Archipelago
    • Isla de Aves
    • Los Hermanos Island
    • Los Frailes Island
    • Los Roques Archipelago
    • La Sola Island
    • La Tortuga Island
    • La Orchila Island
    • Los Testigos Island
    • La Blanquilla Island
    • 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 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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