Since most of my courses this semester have to deal with the Caribbean, one of the first topics we cover is defining the region.
The word "Caribbean" comes from the Spanish "Caribe" which has undefined origins. Some Say it comes from the word "Canibal," which some Spaniards note seeing upon first arriving in the islands. Others say the word "Caribe" comes from "Carib," an aggressive tribe that inhabited many of the islands. Still others say the the word has indigenous roots meaning "noble warrior."
The word "Caribbean" comes from the Spanish "Caribe" which has undefined origins. Some Say it comes from the word "Canibal," which some Spaniards note seeing upon first arriving in the islands. Others say the word "Caribe" comes from "Carib," an aggressive tribe that inhabited many of the islands. Still others say the the word has indigenous roots meaning "noble warrior."
Geographically, the region is made up of three groups of islands:
The Bahamas, The Greater Antilles, and the Lesser Antilles.
About 60% of the Caribbean population speaks Spanish, about 22% speak French or
some derivation, and around 16% speak English, and around 2% speak Dutch.
The Greater Antillas are made up of Jamaica, Hispaniola
(Haiti and Domincan Republic), Puerto Rico, and Cuba. Together these make up
about 90% of the Caribbean population. The other 10% is made up of the Lesser
Antilles, which are a chain of islands that run off to the east of Puerto Rico
and down into South America.
The Bahamas, The Greater Antilles, and the Lesser Antilles.
About 60% of the Caribbean population speaks Spanish, about 22% speak French or
some derivation, and around 16% speak English, and around 2% speak Dutch.
The Greater Antillas are made up of Jamaica, Hispaniola
(Haiti and Domincan Republic), Puerto Rico, and Cuba. Together these make up
about 90% of the Caribbean population. The other 10% is made up of the Lesser
Antilles, which are a chain of islands that run off to the east of Puerto Rico
and down into South America.
These three groups of islands make up the "Caribe insular." There is a concept of the "Gran Caribe" which adds countries in Central America, Part of Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Surinam, French Guinea, Guyana, and even Florida and part of Louisiana for their similarities culturally to the Caribbean region.
The Caribbean can be defined in one word,
The Caribbean can be defined in one word,
Diverse.
The Caribbean Islands were all colonized by different European countries:
Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic by Spain,
Jamaica and the Bahamas by the English,
Haiti (western Hispaniola) by the French,
The Lesser Antilles by the Dutch, French, English, and Spanish.
In addition to the European culture, there was already an indigenous culture that mixed to some extent. More prevalent however was the culture and identity that African slaves brought over. In some places the cultures mixed (such as in the Dominican Republic) while in other countries there was less mixing.
This diversity is shown in the ethnicity and races of the people of the Caribbean as well. Almost all of the population has African roots, as well as some European background. Some people have indigenous background as well.
There is also great political diversity. There are Independent States, Dependent Territories, and Puerto Rico's Independent Associated State among others. Being in such a prime location, the "gateway to the Americas" and being close to the Panama canal meant many world superpowers have influenced the region.
To put it simply, the Caribbean is a mixture of people, culture, and politics that really can't be explained simply!
Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic by Spain,
Jamaica and the Bahamas by the English,
Haiti (western Hispaniola) by the French,
The Lesser Antilles by the Dutch, French, English, and Spanish.
In addition to the European culture, there was already an indigenous culture that mixed to some extent. More prevalent however was the culture and identity that African slaves brought over. In some places the cultures mixed (such as in the Dominican Republic) while in other countries there was less mixing.
This diversity is shown in the ethnicity and races of the people of the Caribbean as well. Almost all of the population has African roots, as well as some European background. Some people have indigenous background as well.
There is also great political diversity. There are Independent States, Dependent Territories, and Puerto Rico's Independent Associated State among others. Being in such a prime location, the "gateway to the Americas" and being close to the Panama canal meant many world superpowers have influenced the region.
To put it simply, the Caribbean is a mixture of people, culture, and politics that really can't be explained simply!