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about the caribbean
Caribbean Islands
The Caribbean Islands, also called "Antilles," are an American archipelago. These Islands include The Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and Lesser Antilles, situated between the Caribbean Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. This archipelago draws an arch in form of a moon uniting Southeast Florida (United States) with Eastern Yucatán (Mexico) and the Venezuelan cost in South America.
Language
The predominant language in this region is Spanish (spoken by 23 million people and predominant in the Greater Antilles except of Jamaica and Haiti Hispaniola). However, English is especially common in the Lesser Antilles, but in some parts French, Dutch and other dialects are spoken as well.
Geopolitics
These Islands were initially Spanish territory; however, because of Spain´s minimal interest in keeping them, especially in the Lesser Antilles. Therefore, it was fairly easy for the English, French, and Dutch troops to gain a foothold in this area. Mainly, strategically important places were taken over, which had been used as a tactical exit-point for more conquests. All this let to the present mosaic of nations, languages, and cultures on the Caribbean Islands.
Several Islands have become independent, but many are still dependant on other countries. Some, like Guadalupe and Martinique, both French regions, belong to national territory of countries on other continents.
Independent Countries
- Antigua and Barbuda - Island Barbuda
- Bahamas Andros - Island: Eleuthera, Great Abaco, Grand Bahamas, Cat Island and New Providence
- Barbados
- Cuba - Isla de la Juventud, etc...
- Dominica - Island Dominica
- Grenada - Island Carriacou and Petit Martinique
- Hispaniola Haiti - Gonave Island, Tortuga Island
- Jamaica
- Dominican Republic- Saona Island
- San Cristóbal y Nieves San Cristóbal - Isla de Nieves
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Canouan Island, Palm Island, Young Island, Mustique and Saint Vincent
- Saint Lucia
- Trinidad and Tobago - Island Tobago
Other dependent countries (territories)
- United States: Puerto Rico - including the following Islands: Puerto Rico, Culebra, Vieques, Mona, Monito, Desecheo and Caja de Muertos; and the Virgin Island of the U.S.A - formed by the Islands Saint Thomas and Saint John Island.
- France: Guadalupe - formed by the Islands Basse-Terre, La Desirade, Grande-Terre, Petite Terre, Les Saintes and Marie-Galante; Martinique, Saint Martin and the Island Saint Barthélemy.
- Netherlands: Netherlands Antilles - including the Islands Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, San Eustatius and Sint Maartin; and Aruba.
- United Kingdom: Anguilla; British Virgin Islands - including the Islands Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke; Cayman Islands - formed by Cayman Brac, Grand Cayman and Little Cayman; Turks and Caicos Islands.
- Venezuela: Estate New Esparta - including: Island Margarita, Coche and Cubagua; Dependent Federals of Venezuela; Los Monjes, Las Aves, Los Roques, Los Hermanos, Los Frailes, Aves, La Sola, La Tortuga, La Orchila, La Blanquilla and Los Testigos.
