A Brief Review

The Caribbean 3 major island groups The Bahamas The Greater Antilles The Lesser Antilles Located between the Gulf of Mexico (to the west) and the Atlantic Ocean (to the north and east) Bordered by South America, Central America, and North America

History Indigenous Caribs inhabited the islands when Columbus arrived in 1492 Basically wiped out over a period of a few hundred years of European colonization Europeans colonized the islands British, Dutch, Spanish, French People of European descent represent a minority of the Caribbean population

History Approximately 75% of the populate traces their roots to Africa slaves There is also a significant East Indian population (especially in Trinidad, but also Jamaica)

Geography Warm climate year round Dec – April is the dry season May – November is the rainy season Can experience violent and destructive Hurricanes, especially towards the end of the rainy season Many islands are basically the tops of an underwater mountain range, formed by volcanic activity

Culture Very little indigenous culture remains The Caribbean is a melting pot of European, African, Latin, and Indian cultures

Language Creole (mix of European and African languages) English (Bahamas, Jamaica and most of the lesser Antilles) Spanish (Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Rep.) Other European languages (Dutch and French)

Music Reggae/Dancehall from Jamaica Calypso and Soca from Trinidad Salsa and Latin Jazz from Cuba

Religion The Latin countries are predominantly Catholic Christianity is common throughout the Caribbean Hinduism also represented Uniquely Caribbean religions: Rastafari (Jamaica, also Bahamas, Trinidad and other islands) Voodoo (Haiti) – not widely practiced

Economy Originally based mostly on sugar Still a very important crop Other fruits, as well as cotton and coffee are important as well Tourism very important from 1960s onward