The Caribbean Islands

 Three island groups 1. Greater Antilles 2. Lesser Antilles 3. Bahamas

 Three island groups 1. Greater Antilles - Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico 2. Lesser Antilles - islands that separate Caribbean Sea from Atlantic Ocean 3. Bahamas -northeast of Cuba - archipelago- group of islands

 Island Formations - volcanic islands - some islands are the tops of volcanoes mountains that pushed from the ocean floor - rich soil - coral islands - flatter terrain - created by the remains of coral polyps- tiny, soft bodied sea animals - sandy soil/cannot support agriculture

 Maritime Climate - affected by sea and wind - temperature- on average- 80F - humidity levels can be high - precipitation - windward- facing the wind (large amounts of rainfall) -leeward- facing away from the wind (smaller amounts of rainfall)

 African Descent - enslaved Africans brought to work on plantations - influence on Caribbean culture  Asian Immigrants - most came voluntarily to work on islands

 Tourism  Agriculture - sugar, bananas, coconuts, cocoa, rice, cotton -plantations/seaports

 Because of political changes and environmental conditions many people left the islands of the Caribbean to move else where (ex: United States)  Economic Benefits - money sent home to reduce poverty throughout the Caribbean