Caribbean

From YourTravelGuide

The Caribbean is located southeast of North America, east of Central America, and north and west of South America. Considered by most to be part of the North American continent, the Caribbean region encompasses the Caribbean Sea, the islands in the sea and their coasts.

Whether its diving or snorkeling, shopping or browsing, walking, biking or cruising, deep-sea fishing or eating seafood for dinner, the Caribbean has something to offer everyone. There are huts on the beach, remote quaint cottages, luxury hotels and all-inclusive resorts.

[edit] Introduction

[edit] Current Events

[edit] History

[edit] Culture

The Carib Indians were a dominant group in the region at the time when the Europeans first came to the area in the fifteenth century; thus producing the name Caribbean.

For English speaking people of the islands, they are referred to as West Indians. The terms Caribbean or Caribbeans is basically unknown, although they are sometimes called a Caribbean person.

[edit] Climate

Depending on an islands location to the trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean, the climate will be either sub-tropical or tropical. For example, if Cuba is touched by the trade winds, the winds are usually surmounted by lesser jet streams coming across the Caribbean area.

The Caribbean has its share of hurricanes. The hurricane belt is typically northwest of Barbados in the Eastern Caribbean; causing strikes mainly north of Grenada and west of Barbados. Hurricane season is from mid-May until mid-October.

After the threats of storms have gone, and the doldrums of winter have set in, the islands of the Caribbean become one of North America’s favorite vacation destinations, not to mention a spot for other worldly travelers.

[edit] Ecosystems

Conservation International has categorized the Caribbean Islands as a biodiversity hotspot. The large number of different species of marine life, flora and wildlife the islands support are near extinction, including the giant shrew and the Cuban crocodile. The region is also known for the miniature size of many indigenous species, including the world’s smallest bird and smallest snake.

[edit] Geography

Islands like Aruba, Barbados,Bonaire, the Cayman Islands or Anguilla were not formed by volcanoes. They are mostly made-up of flat terrains. Whereas most of the other islands, including Cuba, the Virgin Islands,Puerto Rico, Jamaica and others have more jagged and lofty mountain ranges.

Just to the north of the island of Puerto Rico is the Puerto Rican Trench. It is the crossover point for the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and said to be the deepest spot in the Atlantic Ocean.

[edit] Regions

[edit] Countries

[edit] Greater Antilles

[edit] Lesser Antilles

[edit] Other islands

[edit] Transport

[edit] Get There

[edit] Get Around

[edit] See

The tropical climate, white sandy beaches and laid-back manner of the people, create a Heaven on Earth for someone seeking an escape from day-to-day drudgery. With the island’s close proximity to North America, it’s a mere hop, skip and jump to enter a world of tranquility and playfulness.

[edit] Highlights

[edit] World Heritage Sites

[edit] Cuba

San Pedro de la Roca Castle, is located in Santiago. This huge complex, with its forts, bastions, and batteries was built in the seventeenth century to protect the port of Santiago. It is a highly preserved example of Spanish-American military architecture based on Renaissance design.

[edit] Dominican Republic

The Colonial City of Santa Domingo was the site of the first university, hospital, cathedral and customs house in the Americas. The town, built in 1498, shortly after Columbus arrived, became the model for almost all towns in the New World.

[edit] =Casinos

The Caribbean boasts 114 casinos throughout the island chain. The largest casino is on the island of St. Maartan, and the Netherlands Antilles has the most number of casinos.

[edit] Haiti

National History Park is home to the Palace of Sans Souci, and the buildings of Ramiers, particularly the Citadel. The first freed black slaves built these Haitian monuments in the early nineteenth century, when Haiti gained its independence.