The caribbean

2. Physical Geography and
Climate

3. The Caribbean
The Caribbean consists of the
Caribbean Sea, its islands and the
surrounding coasts.
The region is comprised of over
7,000 islands, islets, reefs and cays.
The Caribbean includes 25
countries and dependent
territories.
The Caribbean is usually regarded
as a sub-region of North America
but is also closely associated with
South America.
The Caribbean is sometimes
referred to as the “West Indies”.

4. The Caribbean
The islands of the
Caribbean can be separated
as follows:
Greater Antilles: The 4
largest islands in the
Caribbean: Cuba, Jamaica,
Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico
Lesser Antilles: The
smaller group of islands
from Virgin Islands down to
Trinidad to Tobago
The Bahamas are a chain of
about 700 islands

6. Geography
The geography in the Caribbean varies.
There are islands with relatively flat terrain of non-
volcanic origins such as the Bahamas, Cayman Islands,
Barbados and Antigua.
Many are formed by coral reefs or tops of underwater
mountains.
Then there are others that possess rugged,
mountainous terrain such as Cuba, St. Lucia, Grenada,
Hispaniola, Jamaica and Puerto Rico.
Many are formed by volcanoes or colliding tectonic plates

9. Climate
For the most part, the
Caribbean Islands have a
tropical climate.
There is a little variation in
the higher elevation of the
mountains of Cuba and
Hispaniola
The average temperature
is in the upper 80’s during
the summer and the
lower 70’s in the winter.

11. Hurricane Season
The Caribbean also experiences a wet
season, typically from June-November.

This is also the time where hurricanes
pose a major threat.
Hurricanes are storms w/heavy
rains & fierce winds (< 75 miles
per hour)
6 to 12 move through the region
annually
Can have deadly consequences
Hurricane Mitch (1998) killed at least
10,000, was the most deadly tropical
storm of the 20
th
century

12. History of the Caribbean

13. Contact with the Europeans
Prior to European
arrival, the Caribbean
was estimated to have a
population around
750,000 Native
Americans.
The first contact with
the Europeans occurred
on October 12, 1492
when Christopher
Columbus landed on the
island of San Salvador
(in modern day
Bahamas.)

14. Did you know?
Christopher Columbus nicknamed the islands he
discovered the “West Indies”, for he had truly thought
he had landed in the Pacific islands near India.
The Caribbean gets its name from the native people
who lived in the islands known as the Carib.

15. Which one is the Caribbean?
Which one is
the
Caribbean?

16. European Colonization of the
Caribbean
SPAINSPAIN
FRANCEFRANCE
BRITAINBRITAIN

18. History
Following contact with the Europeans,
the native population declined mostly
due to disease and genocide.
Although many of the natives died,
the population steadily rose in the
Caribbean from 1500-1800 due to the
arrival of Europeans and the
importing of slaves.
In fact, 50% of ALL slaves taken from
Africa ended up in the Caribbean
Islands, around 6 million individuals.

19. Sugarcane Plantations
The reason for importing so many African slaves to the Caribbean was
that the Europeans needed labor to work the sugarcane plantations.
Sugarcane became the worlds leading crop in the 1700’s. Growing and
harvesting cane is very labor intensive. At first they tried using the
natives, but after they died, large amounts of Africans were brought in
to do the work.
The Caribbean essentially became Europe’s sugarcane factory.

20. The Caribbean also had pirates!

22. Did You Know?
During the sixteenth and
seventeenth centuries, the
Spanish were mining staggering
amounts of gold and silver
bullion. The huge Spanish
shipments of this treasure from
the New World back to Europe
attracted many pirates.
Despite this, practical plunder for
a pirate was:
Food and water supplies
Cloth for sails and markets
Spare parts and pieces for the ship
(masts, ropes, lumber, etc.)
Slaves (to be sold or used)

23. Famous Pirates
Captain Morgan (yes, that Captain Morgan!)
Real name was Henry Morgan
Led many attacks on Spanish ships and colonies.
He most famously led a large navy to attack and
destroyed Panama City.
The British even appointed him governor of Jamaica!
Blackbeard
One of the most famous pirates ever.
Real name was Edward Teach.
Was very tall and had a thick, black, platted beard. He
would also place lit wicks in his hair or in his hat so that
smoke would to give him a more menacing appearance.
Had one of the largest pirate ships, the 300 ton Queen
Anne’s Revenge. It had 44 guns!
His fleet had many ships and over 300 pirates.

24. Black Flag or Red Flag?
Pirate flags are perhaps some of the most
infamous symbols of pirates.
Everyone is familiar with the typical, black
Jolly Roger flag.
However, pirates had many different flags
with different meanings.
Many times pirates would fly either a black or
red flag.
Black flags were the most common. Black flags were
good because that meant the pirates likely would
not kill you, instead they would likely let you go or
provide you quarter.
You really didn’t want to run into pirates flying a red
flag. Red stands for bloodshed and these pirates
would often kill you or subject you to cruel torture.

25. Fact or Fiction?
Did pirates really make people
walk the plank?
No, there’s only one recorded instance
of this and historians are even skeptical
about that.
What about buried treasure?
Absolutely not! It doesn’t make
sense! Why would bury your
treasure? Most pirates used their
earnings on women or in taverns.
There are only a few instances of
pirates ever burying their treasure
and it was brief for safekeeping, or
it was done to hide the evidence of
their crime.

26. Independence
In the 1800’s many island nations would
revolt and win their independence from
European countries.
The first movement for independence
was the French colony of St. Domingue
(Haiti), on the island of Hispaniola.
Almost all of the people who lived in the
colony were slaves and easily
outnumbered their European masters.
They up rose in revolt and the former colony declared
its independence under the new name of Haiti meaning
“mountainous land” in local languages.
Many countries still remain under control of a parent
country.

27. Culture of the Caribbean

28. Population of the Caribbean
In 1800, the population was around 2.2 million.
Today, the population is around 45 million!
Only about 2% of the 7,000 islands are actually inhabited
which makes it very crammed!

29. Population of the Caribbean
Total population is
around 45 million.
86% of the region’s
population is
concentrated on the four
islands of the Greater
Antilles.
Largest population in
Cuba
Highest population
density in Puerto Rico

30. The People
The majority of people in the Caribbean are of African descent.
However, many have been mixed with Europeans over the
years.
The mix of European and African descent has created a
mulatto population throughout the Caribbean.
People of Hispanic ethnicity also have a heavy influence in the
islands as well.

32. European Influence
Since the arrival of the first
explorers, European culture
has had a heavy influence in
the Caribbean.
Many countries are also
under direct government
control of a parent
European country.
The four dominant
European influences in the
islands are British, French,
Dutch and Spanish.

33. British Caribbean
The United
Kingdom’s Caribbean
territories consist of
Anguilla, the British
Virgin Islands, the
Cayman Islands,
Montserrat, and the
Turks and Caicos
Islands.

34. French Caribbean
The countries of
Guadeloupe and
Martinique are
territories of France
while St. Martin and
Haiti are French
influenced and French
speaking countries.

35. Dutch Caribbean
Aruba and the Dutch
Antilles, (which consists
of Bonaire, Curaçao, and
Saint Maarten), are
territories that are semi-
autonomous parts of the
Kingdom of the
Netherlands.

36. Spanish Caribbean
The Spanish influenced
areas of the Caribbean
mostly refer to the
Spanish speaking islands
of Cuba, Dominican
Republic and Puerto
Rico. It also includes
surrounding coasts of
Mexico, Venezuela and
Columbia.

37. European Influence
Because of the heavy European influence,
many countries have similar traditions and
customs to that of European nations.

38. Can you name some of those
customs and countries?

39. Carnival
Carnival is a festive occasion that occurs around
Lent (usually February). Typically, it involves a
public celebration and a parade including
elements of circus, masquerade and a street
party.
Most of the islands in the Caribbean celebrate
Carnival. The largest and most well-known
celebration is held in Trinidad and Tobago,
Dominican Republic, Antigua, Aruba, Cayman
Islands, Barbados, Haiti, Jamaica, Grenada, etc.

40. Carnival

41. Language
Because of the diversity, many languages are
spoken throughout the Caribbean and depends on
the influence of the European countries.
Languages spoken are...
Spanish – the most spoken language in the Caribbean.
mainly in Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Puerto
Rico
French - spoken in Haiti and Martinique
English - spoken mainly in Jamaica, the Virgin Islands,
Barbados and the Bahamas
Dutch - spoken in Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao

42. Language
Spanish (24 mil.),
French (8 mil.),
English (6 mil.),
Dutch (500,000)
In some places, new
languages have
emerged such as Creole.
Creole languages are
dialects; a mix of
native language/slang
and parent language.
Patois (French Creole)
spoken in Haiti
English Creole in Jamaica
and the Virgin Islands

44. Religion
When it comes to religion, the Caribbean is dominated by Christianity.
However, many cultural adaptations have flourished.
Because of the connection with slavery, African influenced religions are
also widely practiced such as Rastafarian and Voodoo.
The Caribbean is full of a vibrant variety of faiths.

45. Rastafarian
Rastafarian religion is a movement started in
Jamaica.
It is Christian based but incorporates many
African themes and ways of thinking.
God is referred to as Jah and Africa is Zion, the
birthplace of man and a utopia where that was
once a place of unity, peace and freedom.
Rastas believe in “repatriation” or returning to
their roots. Wearing their hair in dreadlock style
is paying homage to ancient peoples of Africa.
Many Rastas also practice the spiritual use of
cannabis as an entheogen.
An entheogen is a psychoactive substance used to help
reach a transcendent state of mind (similar to nirvana
in Buddhism)

46. Voodoo
Voodoo is a religion that combines
elements of Roman Catholic ritual with
traditional African magical and religious
rites.
Voodoo came about when African slaves
were forbidden from practicing their
traditional religion. Instead, they mixed in
Catholic imagery into their own religion.
Voodoo is often characterized by sorcery
and spirit possession and is sometimes
referred to as “black magic”.
Some elements are strange to most Westerners
such as animal sacrifice and the belief of bringing
the dead back to life.
Despite popular belief, the use of “voodoo dolls”
is not a common practice ever if used at all.

47. Music
Music is an important aspect
in Caribbean life.
Many styles of music have
come from the islands such as:
African influences like calypso,
steel drum bands, reggae.
Music of Bob Marley reflects
political situation in Jamaica
Spanish influences like
merengue, mambo and rumba
Caribbean style has even
influenced Western music!

48. Music

49. Did you know?
Bob Marley is one of the most well
known and revered performer of reggae
music, and is credited with helping
spread both Jamaican music and
the Rastafari movement to a worldwide
audience.
Sadly, Bob Marley was diagnosed
with cancer which had spread
throughout his body.
He did not seek treatment other
than a strict diet.
He died in a Miami hospital in 1981
at age 36.

50. Economy
Sugar has played a crucial role in the Caribbean’s
history. Today, it is still an important export,
though the importance of sugarcane has declined
somewhat.
Since 1990 Cuban sugarcane harvest has reduced by 50%
There are other agriculture pursuits including
tropical fruits like bananas, coconuts and nutmeg.
Rum and tobacco are also large exports.
Because of the proximity to the US, Caribbean
nations are dependant on import/exports from the
United States.

51. Economy

52. Tourism
The largest industry; by far, is that of
tourism.
Instead of agriculture or trading, many
countries have adapted themselves to
this very lucrative enterprise.
In the year 2000, the Caribbean
received around $20 billion from
tourism.
Around 20 million people visit the
Caribbean annually
Over half of them coming from the U.S.
Tourism creates over 1 million jobs

54. Today’s Issues in the Caribbean

55. U.S. Imposed Embargo on Cuba
Following the Cuban Revolution in
1960 and the adoption of a
communist government, the United
States has enacted an embargo
against the country of Cuba.
An embargo is a term to describe the
complete prohibition of trade.
The U.S. has stated that the embargo
on Cuba will continue so long as the
Cuban government continues to
refuse to move toward
"democratization and greater respect
for human rights.”
As a result, Cuba has suffered severely
economically over the past 50 years.

56. Should the embargo on Cuba be lifted?
Has enough time gone by? Has the
punishment been enough?
Or should we continue to embargo Cuba as
long as they remain a communist nation?
How is this any different than trading with
China, another communist nation?

57. The 51
st
State?
Puerto Rico is currently a
commonwealth of the U.S.
Puerto Rico became an official
commonwealth in 1917.
A commonwealths is a country under
direct government control of a parent
country. (Australia and Great Britain)
Its people are technically U.S.
citizens.
However, they cannot vote in the
presidential election.
Many people want full statehood
and rights.
Just the same, there has been
independence movements to seek
secession from U.S.

58. 2012 Election
In the November 2012 election, more than 800,000 Puerto Ricans
voted in favor of a referendum that supported statehood.
While the referendum for statehood of Puerto Rico was nonbinding, it
was the first time such a measure garnered that majority of votes.
It would now be up to the American people to decide Puerto Rico’s
fate.

59. Should Puerto Rico become the
51
st
State?

60. The Caribbean Ring of Fire
Much of the Caribbean is situated
along the Caribbean Plate.
As a result, the region is no
stranger to volcanoes and
earthquakes.
With being one of the most
seismically active areas on earth,
including 18 active volcanoes,
some scientists have even gone as
far as to calling the region of the
Caribbean, the “mini Ring of Fire”.

62. May 8
th
, 1902
On May 8
th
, 1902, Mt. Pelee on the
island of Martinique started erupting.
There were signs that it was going to
erupt soon. In fact, the local Carib
people knew Mt. Pelee as “fire
mountain” from previous eruptions.
The resulting explosion, ash, smoke,
sulfur and pyroclastic flow destroyed
the town of St. Pierre within minutes,
killing 30,000 people. There were
only 2 survivors.
It was the deadliest volcanic eruption
of the 20
th
century.

63. January 12
th
, 2012
On January 12
th
, 2012, a 7.0
magnitude earthquake
occurred just miles away
from Haiti’s capital city
Port-au-Prince.
The Haitian government
reported that an estimated
316,000 people had died,

300,000 had been injured
and 1,000,000 made
homeless.

66. Is the Caribbean Safe?
While the Caribbean is a beautiful
vacationing spot for millions of
tourists, the reality is that most
countries are considered 3
rd
World
or developing countries.
Typical 3
rd
world countries are
highly impoverished, have very
little education and rampant crime
rates.
Urban areas are poor and the most
vulnerable.
In fact, only 50% of Haiti’s
population has access to clean
water.
A problem for public health and
tourism as danger lies beyond the
“resort areas”.

67. Mystery of Natalee Holloway
Natalee Holloway was an American
student who went missing on a
school trip to Aruba in 2005.
She went missing after a night of
partying with friends at a club.
She was last seen with Joran van der
Sloot, a young Dutch man and two
Aruban locals.
All were arrested and eventually
released because of lack of evidence.
Natalee’s has never been found
leaving many questions about her
disappearance.

68. What happened to Natalie?
Was she kidnapped?
Murdered?
Sold as a sex slave?
Is the Caribbean a paradise? Or
a trap for unsuspecting tourists?

69. Joran van der Sloot
On May 30
th
, 2010, van der
Sloot was arrested in Peru
and found guilty for the
murder of a different young
woman.
It is the hopes of the family
of Natalee that he will come
clean and let them know
what happened to their
daughter.