WELCOME TO THE CARIBBEAN

Group Think Brainstorm a list of descriptive words for each of these aspects of the Caribbean: Brainstorm a list of descriptive words for each of these aspects of the Caribbean: Physical Environment Physical Environment Culture Culture Economic Activities Economic Activities What does the Caribbean seem to be most well-known for? Why do you think this is the case?

Read it and Listen! Music and pop culture are often the vehicles through which a peoples’ history is expressed Music and pop culture are often the vehicles through which a peoples’ history is expressed Listen to Bob Marley’s song “Slave Driver” and follow along with the lyrics Listen to Bob Marley’s song “Slave Driver” and follow along with the lyrics“Slave Driver”“Slave Driver” As you listen, identify lyrics that reflect the history of the region As you listen, identify lyrics that reflect the history of the region

Slave Driver Lyrics

A History of the Caribbean First in Habitants – Arawak Natives – lived peacefully First in Habitants – Arawak Natives – lived peacefully In the 15 th century, the fierce Caribs came to South America and took over the Lesser Antilles In the 15 th century, the fierce Caribs came to South America and took over the Lesser Antilles The Caribs kept Arawak women and kids as slaves; they tortured and ate the men – took over the Greater Antilles The Caribs kept Arawak women and kids as slaves; they tortured and ate the men – took over the Greater Antilles

History con’t Columbus arrived in 1492 – lumped all the natives together – all considered Caribs; used them for slaves (or killed them) Columbus arrived in 1492 – lumped all the natives together – all considered Caribs; used them for slaves (or killed them) Many natives died out (1492 – in Haiti/Domican Republic. By 1514 – only ) Many natives died out (1492 – in Haiti/Domican Republic. By 1514 – only ) Caribs managed to remain a separate group in Dominca, until the French & British Took over. Caribs managed to remain a separate group in Dominca, until the French & British Took over.

History con’t 1640’s sugar plantations became popular. As a result, Europeans brought slaves over from Africa to work (legally). 1640’s sugar plantations became popular. As a result, Europeans brought slaves over from Africa to work (legally). In 1807, the freeing of the slaves began, but they still remained poor. In 1807, the freeing of the slaves began, but they still remained poor. There remains today a society which bases status on your class. Racism does not exist on colour, rather than status. There remains today a society which bases status on your class. Racism does not exist on colour, rather than status. The white people of the Caribbean however maintain the wealth of the area. The white people of the Caribbean however maintain the wealth of the area.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT Region consists of THREE major island groups: The Bahamas, The Greater Antilles and The Lesser Antilles Region consists of THREE major island groups: The Bahamas, The Greater Antilles and The Lesser Antilles Situated in Caribbean Sea. Gulf of Mexico to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the north and east Situated in Caribbean Sea. Gulf of Mexico to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the north and east Ideal for tourism. Sun and Sea! Ideal for tourism. Sun and Sea!

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT Tropical climate Tropical climate December – April = sunny, dry, warm December – April = sunny, dry, warm May – November = hot, humid, wet May – November = hot, humid, wet Trade winds blow from the east across Atlantic Trade winds blow from the east across Atlantic Subject to violent storms and hurricanes Subject to violent storms and hurricanes

CULTURE Unique blending of Amerindian, African and European cultures Unique blending of Amerindian, African and European cultures Approx. ¾ of population is of African descent Approx. ¾ of population is of African descent East Indian and Chinese workers came in 19 th Century East Indian and Chinese workers came in 19 th Century

Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Trans-Atlantic Slave trade (c. 16 th C) brought people from all over Africa to the Caribbean to work on plantations (sugar, coffee, tea etc.) Trans-Atlantic Slave trade (c. 16 th C) brought people from all over Africa to the Caribbean to work on plantations (sugar, coffee, tea etc.) Slaves developed common language to communicate known as Creole (mix of African syntax and colonial languages) Slaves developed common language to communicate known as Creole (mix of African syntax and colonial languages) Blend of cultures given rise to new phenomena such as calypso music (first developed in Trinidad) and soca music Blend of cultures given rise to new phenomena such as calypso music (first developed in Trinidad) and soca music calypso music soca music calypso music soca music

CULTURE Each island has distinct culture Each island has distinct culture Festivals, music, art, customs and food reflect cultural mosaic Festivals, music, art, customs and food reflect cultural mosaic Eg. “ Sun Splash ” annual reggae music festival held in Montego Bay, Jamaica Eg. “ Sun Splash ” annual reggae music festival held in Montego Bay, Jamaica Crop Over in Barbados Crop Over in Barbados Crop Over Crop Over

ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES Caribbean region is part of the developing world (countries with low GDPs, low standards of living compared to developed countries) Caribbean region is part of the developing world (countries with low GDPs, low standards of living compared to developed countries) Commercial agriculture is important to economy Commercial agriculture is important to economy Bananas, citrus fruits, coffee, sugar cane grown for export Bananas, citrus fruits, coffee, sugar cane grown for export

ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES Sugar cane is main agricultural export of Jamaica, Cuba and Dominican Republic Sugar cane is main agricultural export of Jamaica, Cuba and Dominican Republic Subsistence Farming (farming to feed your family) is still practiced Subsistence Farming (farming to feed your family) is still practiced Caribbean is dependent on agricultural exports, and now TOURISM! Caribbean is dependent on agricultural exports, and now TOURISM! Tourism offers the most potential for economic growth and security Tourism offers the most potential for economic growth and security In 2011, T&T provided direct 614,000 jobs In 2011, T&T provided direct 614,000 jobs