The Carribean

PART 1: LOCATION

Where it is… The Carribean is the name for the group of islands in the Gulf of Mexico. The Carribean is the name for the group of islands in the Gulf of Mexico. Important Location for Trade - Caribbean waterways give access to the Gulf of Mexico and the Panama Canal Important Location for Trade - Caribbean waterways give access to the Gulf of Mexico and the Panama Canal THE CANAL link Europe with Latin America, the East coast of United States with the West Coast, and Asia, and South America with North America THE CANAL link Europe with Latin America, the East coast of United States with the West Coast, and Asia, and South America with North America

Geographic Characteristics Islands are isolated from each other: island nature gives absolute control of each island/ group of islands to one power Islands are isolated from each other: island nature gives absolute control of each island/ group of islands to one power islands with limited area led to vulnerability for demographic destruction and forced assimilation by the Europeans (Caribs and Arawaks) islands with limited area led to vulnerability for demographic destruction and forced assimilation by the Europeans (Caribs and Arawaks) guide.info/past.and.present/culture/ (Taino example…) guide.info/past.and.present/culture/ (Taino example…) guide.info/past.and.present/culture/ guide.info/past.and.present/culture/

Small Size of Islands Because the islands are so small, they are the most densely populated region of the Americas Because the islands are so small, they are the most densely populated region of the Americas inefficient and expensive to operate individual governments, educational systems, and health and welfare systems (compared to Can. And US) inefficient and expensive to operate individual governments, educational systems, and health and welfare systems (compared to Can. And US) pollution issues are amplified pollution issues are amplified (sewage, water issues, waste disposal..) (sewage, water issues, waste disposal..)

What it Looks Like

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CARRIBEAN

The Antilles Explorers from Europe wrote stories and legends about the Caribbean, but they called this area The Antilles. Explorers from Europe wrote stories and legends about the Caribbean, but they called this area The Antilles. in legend Anatolia was a semi-mythical land located somewhere west of Europe across the Atlantic in legend Anatolia was a semi-mythical land located somewhere west of Europe across the Atlantic On medieval charts the region was often drawn as a continent, or large island and sometimes an archipelago (a series of islands in a shape) On medieval charts the region was often drawn as a continent, or large island and sometimes an archipelago (a series of islands in a shape)

The Antilles After "discovery" by Columbus, the Spanish term “Antillas” was commonly assigned to the new lands After "discovery" by Columbus, the Spanish term “Antillas” was commonly assigned to the new lands "Sea of the Antilles" in various European languages is used as ANOTHER NAME for the Caribbean Sea "Sea of the Antilles" in various European languages is used as ANOTHER NAME for the Caribbean Sea

Columbus’ Big Mistake… Why did I say “Discovered”? Why did I say “Discovered”? Christopher Columbus Didn’t REALLY discover AMERICA… he got there by mistake. Christopher Columbus Didn’t REALLY discover AMERICA… he got there by mistake. He was trying to prove the world was round He was trying to prove the world was round He though he was in India. He though he was in India.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER PATTERNS (It’s not ALWAYS paradise!)

Climate: It is TOASTY! Climate is mild and warm – same temperature almost all year round Climate is mild and warm – same temperature almost all year round Cause by the Maritime Tropical air mass: Cause by the Maritime Tropical air mass: - average annual temperatures are about 26.6 C, and don’t really change between seasons at all.

Precipitation and Trade Winds Weather patters are controlled by the northeast trade winds Weather patters are controlled by the northeast trade winds These winds modify the tropical heat and produce most precipitation in the area These winds modify the tropical heat and produce most precipitation in the area Most rain falls in late summer and the fall, with the spring and early summer a drier season Most rain falls in late summer and the fall, with the spring and early summer a drier season

Weather: Why NO SEASONS? That’s right; there aren’t really the kinds of seasons we’re used to in Canada in the Carribbean That’s right; there aren’t really the kinds of seasons we’re used to in Canada in the Carribbean This is because it is basically right ON the equator This is because it is basically right ON the equator

HURRICANES! The region IS nice and DOES have nice weather, but gets hurricanes The region IS nice and DOES have nice weather, but gets hurricanes Hurricanes are A HUGE issue for the Caribbean because… Easterly trade winds intensify the spin of the hurricane (feed the hurricane) Easterly trade winds intensify the spin of the hurricane (feed the hurricane) a continual supply of warm humid air from the ocean (+27c) will keep the convection currents active (feed the hurricane and MAKE IT WORSE!) a continual supply of warm humid air from the ocean (+27c) will keep the convection currents active (feed the hurricane and MAKE IT WORSE!)

How Does This Happen? The Warm Ocean is the PERFECT place for a severe hurricane. The Warm Ocean is the PERFECT place for a severe hurricane.

How A Hurricane Builds…

What Happens Hurricane Irene Animation Hurricane Katrina Kou0HBpX4A&feature=related Kou0HBpX4A&feature=related Dealiest list: c_hurricanes c_hurricanes c_hurricanes

The Hurricane Season! The ‘season’ runs from June 1st to Nov 30th The ‘season’ runs from June 1st to Nov 30th If you are looking for cheap travel, you can get some great vacation deals!!! If you are looking for cheap travel, you can get some great vacation deals!!!

The Colonial ‘Tradition’ of the Americas

Some Examples of How Slaves Were Moved… A Triangular System A Triangular System

The Slave Trade

The Global Colonial System

The ‘Legacy’ Colonialism and the slave trade Colonialism and the slave trade =destruction of religion =destruction of culture =destruction of life as natives knew it… -Arawaks and Caribs

What it Brought war/ piracy war/ piracy disease disease domination domination

A Modern Multicultural Region Despite its ugly past, the Caribbean is now a more modern, multicultural region with peoples from origins such as English English Dutch Dutch French French Spanish Spanish Portuguese Portuguese German German African African