Chapter 11 Section 2 The Caribbean Islands OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to describe the physical characteristics of the three (3) Caribbean islands. The Caribbean Islands 3.11.15 PDN Review/Finish Section 1 Begin Section 2 Ticket out the Door Standard: 7.2.8.A Explain the characteristics of places and regions. Anchor: CC8.5.6-8.D: Determine the meaning of words as they are used in text.

The Caribbean Islands Beautiful region of forest covered mountains, warm temperatures, and clear, blue waters. However, many Caribbean nations are struggling to develop their economies. Therefore, people leave the islands to find opportunities their homeland cannot offer.

Physical Characteristics Consists of three (3) islands groups. Greater Antilles Lesser Antilles Bahamas Except for some of the islands in the Bahamas, all of the islands are located in the tropics.

Physical Characteristics Continued… The Greater Antilles include the four largest islands of the region. Cuba Jamaica Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic) Puerto Rico

Physical Characteristics Continued… The Bahama archipelago includes nearly 700 islands northeast of Cuba. Lesser Antilles form another archipelago, curbing arc that separates the Caribbean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean.

Island Formations Islands consist of mountainous and flat areas. Greater Antilles and some of the Lesser Antilles are the tops of volcanic mountains that have been pushed up from the ocean floor. Islands slope from a mountain to a coastal plain. Lesser Antilles = formed more recently, active.

Island Formation Continued… The islands with flatter terrain are coral islands. Created by the remains of colonies of tiny, soft-bodied sea animals called coral polyps. All of the Bahamas are coral islands.

Marine Climate The climate of the Caribbean islands is affected more by sea and wind than by elevation. You may remember, nearness to water affects the climate of coastal areas. Prevailing winds also affect the rainfall amount. On the windward northern and eastern sides of the islands, facing the wind, rain can fall in torrents, reaching as much as 200 inches a year. On the leeward sides, facing away from the wind, rainfall may be only 30 inches per year.

OBJECTIVE Identify the ethnic roots of Caribbean culture.

Ethnic Roots Caribbean islands show little evidence of the original inhabitants. Europeans arrived with Columbus in 1492, within a century, most Native Americans were gone. Died from diseases brought by foreigners Others from their cruel treatment

African Descent European colonists needed laborers to do the hard work on their plantations, growing and harvesting sugar cane. Brought millions of enslaved Africans to do the work. Most of the regions current population are descendants of enslaved Africans, Europeans and Native Americans.

African Descent Continued… Caribbean culture has been greatly influenced by its African roots. Calypso music A form of folk music that spread from Trinidad throughout the Caribbean. Inspired by songs sung by enslaved Africans who worked on the plantations of Trinidad.

Asian Immigrants Sizable Asian population. Descendants of immigrants from East Asia and South Asia who came voluntarily to work in the Caribbean islands in the 19th Century.

OBJECTIVE Describe political and economic status of current Caribbean Islands.

Caribbean Nations Today About 90% of the Caribbean’s population live in independent countries. They include: Cuba Haiti the Dominican Republic Barbados Jamaica the Bahamas Trinidad and Tobago.

Caribbean Nations Today British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands remain colonies of the United Kingdom. Jamaica and Bahamas are independent members of the British Commonwealth. U.S. Virgin Islands is United States territory. Puerto Rico is a U.S. Commonwealth. Citizens of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are United States Citizens.

Economic Activities Caribbean Islands depend on Agriculture. Extremely fertile soil = much of the world’s sugar, bananas, coconuts, cocoa, rice, and cotton being produced in the region. Others work in industries related to agriculture = refining sugar, packaging coconut products, making textiles. Docks, shipping goods to North America. Tourism

OLD OBJECTIVE ANSWERED Political status of the Caribbean? Economical status of the Caribbean?

NEW OBJECTIVE: Students will explain why migration is so common among Caribbean islanders.

Migration Move in search of jobs. Plantations have been major employers. But they only last 1 season (3 months). Other nine (9) months are called the tiempo muerto, or dead season. Workers move to other islands, Central America or the US to find work.

Unhappiness at Home Cubans fled Castro’s communism. Haitians look to depart due to poverty. About 80% of the nation’s population lives in poverty. Environmental conditions can also encourage emigration.

Economic Benefits Caribbean has actually benefited from emigration. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been sent back home by people working abroad. Reduced burden of poverty