Caribbean

Aruba History ▫F▫First inhabitants were thought to be the Caquetíos Amerinds from the Arawak tribe (migrated from Venezuela) ▫E▫Europeans discovered it in August 1499 (Amerigo Vespucci and Alonso de Ojeda) ▫C▫Colonized by Spain for over a century Geography ▫G▫Generally a flat, riverless island ▫W▫White, sandy beaches ▫S▫Some rolling hills ▫T▫To the east are two island territories ▫I▫Isothermal temperature ▫T▫Tropical marine climate

Aruba cont. Culture ▫M▫Mixed culture ▫D▫Dutch influences still seen ▫C▫Celebrate Christmas and New Year ▫I▫Important holiday of the Carnival SSimilar to Mardi Gras and lasts for weeks Places to visit ▫F▫Fort Zoutman and King Willem III Tower ▫N▫Numismatic Museum ▫C▫California Point lighthouse ▫C▫Chapel Of Alto Vista ▫B▫Bushiribana Ruins ▫A▫Arikok National Park ▫A▫Andicuri ▫N▫Natural Bridge ▫B▫Bubali Bird Sanctuary

Bahamas History ▫T▫Taino people migrated there from Hispaniola and Cuba during the 11 th century AD BBecame known as the Lucayans ▫A▫About 30,000 or more Lucayans around in 1492 when Christopher Columbus traveled there ▫L▫Lucayans wiped out with the arrival of the Spaniards due to exposure to new diseases SSmall pox wiped out half of the populations in what is now known as the Bahamas Geography ▫A▫All islands are low and flat ▫C▫Consists of 29 islands ▫C▫Climate is subtropical to tropical ▫M▫Moderated significantly by the waters of the Gulf Stream EEspecially during the winter

Bahamas cont. Culture ▫B▫Basketry made from palm fronds is popular on the outer islands ▫P▫Palm fronds are referred to as “straw” and is plaited into hats, bags, and other popular tourist items ▫“▫“Straw” is also used for voodoo dolls; an idea that originated from American imagination and not historical facts ▫O▫Obeah is a type of magic that originated from West Africa IIt is illegal in Bahamas and punishable by law, but is practiced on some of the Family-Islands (outer islands) ▫J▫Junkanoo: traditional African street parade of music, dance, and art held in Nassau (and a few other settlements) every Boxing Day, New Year's Day AAlso used to celebrate other holidays and events ▫R▫Regattas: important social events in many family island settlements OOne or more days of sailing by old- fashion work boats and an onshore festival Places to visit ▫E▫Eleuthera ▫N▫Nassau ▫A▫Abaco National Park ▫L▫Little Inagua ▫L▫Lucayan National Park ▫P▫Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park

Barbados History ▫I▫Indigenous peoples were Arawakan-speaking tribes CCalled it Ichirouganaim, which roughly translated means “Red Land with White Teeth” ▫P▫Portuguese were first Europeans to arrive there when they were on their way to Brazil TThey named it Barbados, which means “Bearded One” ▫F▫First English settlers in Geography ▫E▫Easternmost island in the Lesser Antilles ▫C▫Central highland region ▫C▫Composed of coral TTerraces in the west, incline in east ▫M▫Moderate tropical climate with a wet season(June- November) and a dry season(December-May)

Barbados cont. Culture ▫B▫British influences ▫W▫West African influenes ▫C▫Crop Over festival CCarnival like cultural event ▫M▫Most citizens are Christian ▫M▫Music is an important part of the culture Places to visit ▫T▫Turner Hall Woods ▫A▫Andromeda Botanic Gardens ▫S▫St.John’s Parish Church ▫C▫Codrington College ▫F▫Farley Hill National ▫S▫St.Nicholas Abbey ▫M▫Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill

Cayman Islands History ▫D▫Discovered by Christopher Columbus on May 10, 1503 NNamed it La Tortuga for the large amount of turtles there ▫F▫First recorded English visitor was Sir Francis Drake in 1586 ▫R▫Remained largely uninhabited until 17 th century ▫F▫First permanent settlement recorded in 1661 with Isaac Bodden ▫E▫English took under control with Jamaica in 1670 with the Treaty of Madrid ▫P▫Permanent settlement began in 1730s Geography ▫T▫They are the peaks of a massive underwater ridge CCayman Ridge ▫S▫South of Cuba, West of Jamaica ▫T▫Two “Sister Islands:” Cayman Brac and Little Cayman ▫A▫All three formed by large coral heads that covered submerged ice peaks ▫T▫Tropical marine climate

Cayman Islands cont. Culture ▫B▫British, North American, and Jamaican influences OOther than these three dominant influences, there are 113 different nationalities on the three islands ▫C▫Christianity is the most practiced religion due to the American and European culture influences ▫I▫Indigenous peoples carry an air of independence with them Places to visit ▫G▫Georgetown ▫G▫Grand cayman ▫S▫Seven Mile Beach

Curacao History ▫A▫Arawak Amerindians were the original inhabitants ▫F▫First Europeans (from Spain) arrived in 1499 ▫O▫Occupied by Dutch in 1634 ▫C▫Commerce and shipping became the most important economic activities ▫C▫Center for Atlantic Slave Trade in 1662 ▫M▫Major slave revolt in 1795 Geography ▫T▫Transcontinental island ▫S▫Semiarid climate DDry season from January to September WWet season from October to December ▫T▫There are salt marshes ▫C▫Coral reefs ▫S▫Seafloor drops steeply within a few hundred feet of the shore (drop-off known as “blue edge”)

Curacao cont. Culture ▫P▫Polyglot society ▫P▫Papiamentu, Dutch, English, and Spanish are the widely spoken languages 885% speak Papiamentu ▫E▫Education had been predominantly in Spanish until the late 19 th century ▫D▫Dutch made sole language in education during the 20 th century Places to visit ▫Q▫Quenn Emma Bridge ▫O▫Otrobanda ▫W▫Willemstad ▫C▫Curacao Dolphin Academy ▫C▫Curacao Ostrich and Game Farm ▫K▫Kura Hulanda Museum ▫B▫Boca Tabla ▫P▫Playa Kalki ▫F▫Fort Nassau ▫M▫Maritime Museum ▫M▫Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue

Dominican Republic History ▫A▫Arawakan-speaking Taínos moved there in 650 AD ▫S▫Spanish arrived in 1492 ▫T▫Taínos eventually fought back against Spanish ▫F▫France gained control of the island in 1795  captured Santo Domingo in 1801 ▫T▫Toussaint Louverture and his followers expelled French from Santo Domingo in 1804 ▫B▫Became independent on November 30, 1824 Geography ▫S▫Shares island with Haiti at roughly a 2:1 ratio ▫M▫Many small offshore cays ▫F▫Four important mountain ranges CCordillera Septentrional CCordillera Central SSierra de Neiba SSierra de Bahoruco ▫L▫Llano Costero del Caribe is the largest plain in the Dominican Republic ▫T▫Tropical climate

Dominican Republic cont. Culture ▫B▫Blend of the Spanish colonists, African slaves, and Taíno natives MMost prominent in food, family structure, religion, and music ▫ Known for its music style of merengue ▫B▫Baseball is the most popular sport HHas six teams SSeason goes from October to January HHas the most amount of MLB players after the United States Places to visit ▫B▫Bavaro and Punta Cana ▫C▫Casa de Campo (La Romana) ▫P▫Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata and Cabarete ▫L▫La Península de Samaná ▫B▫Barahona and Santo Domingo ▫C▫CapCana Resorts

Haiti History ▫I▫Inhabited by Taíno Indians before Europeans arrived ▫B▫Before Christopher Columbus arrived, it was divided into six different caciquedoms (tributary kingdoms) ▫C▫Christopher Columbus landed there on December 5, 1492 ▫S▫Spaniards exploited the island for gold MMined by locals, who were forced to by the Spanish Geography ▫W▫Western part of Hispaniola ▫R▫Rugged mountains ▫S▫Small coastal plains ▫R▫River valleys ▫N▫Northern region: MMassif du Nord PPlaine du Nord ▫S▫Southern region: PPlaine du Cul-de-Sac

Haiti cont. Culture ▫F▫French, African, and native Taíno cultures, with some influences from Spanish ▫E▫European and African elements dominate ▫C▫Customs are a blend of indigenous cultural beliefs ▫M▫Music influenced by European colonial ties and African migration (slavery) Places to visit ▫P▫Port-au-Prince ▫L▫La Souvenance ▫C▫Cathedrale de Port-au-Prince ▫M▫Musée d'Art Haïtien du Collège St. Pierre ▫B▫Bassins Bleu ▫E▫Etang Saumatre ▫P▫Parc National Historique La Citadelle ▫C▫Cap-Haitien ▫M▫Musée Nationale ▫C▫Citadelle Laferrière

Jamaica History ▫A▫Arawak and Taino peoples settled there from South American between 4000 and 1000 BC ▫C▫Christopher Columbus arrived there in 1494 AAt the time there were over 200 villages ruled by caciques ▫E▫English took over Spanish fort in 1655 ▫S▫Slaves fled to the mountains when Spanish released them after English took over Geography ▫T▫Third largest island in Caribbean ▫I▫Inland are the Blue Mountains and they are surrounded by a narrow coastal plain ▫T▫Tropical climate, though it is more temperate in the higher inland regions

Jamaica cont. Culture ▫S▫Strong global presence ▫I▫Influencial music: RReggae SSka MMento RRocksteady DDub DDancehall RRagga HHelped development of punk rock and American rap ▫M▫Most popular local sport is cricket, but they excel in Track and Field Places to visit ▫C▫Chukka Adventure Tours ▫B▫Bob Marley's Nine Miles ▫D▫Dunn's River Falls ▫D▫Dolphin Cove Attraction ▫N▫Negril's day and Sunset Tour

Leeward Islands, French (St. Martin) History ▫A▫Arawak Indians settled there in 800 AD from South America ▫C▫Columbus claimed for Spain on November 11, 1493 ▫F▫French began cultivating tobacco in 1624 ▫D▫Divided into French and Dutch zones on March 23, 1648 ▫E▫English ruled from ▫F▫French ruled from ▫D▫Dutch ruled from Geography ▫H▫Hill chains ▫N▫No rivers ▫D▫Dry forests

Leeward Islands, French (St. Martin) cont. Culture ▫F▫Festive nightlife ▫E▫English is the most commonly spoken language, as well as a local dialect ▫F▫French, Dutch, and English are the official languages Places to visit ▫T▫Tijon Parfumerie & Boutique ▫S▫Swaliga Charters ▫C▫Captain Alan's Three Island Snorkeling Adventure ▫R▫Random Wind ▫M▫Maho Beach ▫S▫Scuba Zen ▫T▫The Butterfly Farm (La Ferme des Papillons) ▫O▫Orient Beach ▫L▫Loterie Farm ▫D▫Dawn Beach

Martinique History ▫D▫Discovered by Columbus in 1493 ▫C▫Claimed by French in 1635 ▫P▫Produced large amounts of sugar cane Geography ▫N▫North part of the island is mountainous and lushly salted ▫S▫South is mostly beaches

Martinique cont. Culture ▫M▫Mix of French and Caribbean influences ▫F▫French is the official language ▫M▫Many people speak Martiniquan Creole ▫M▫Most inhabitants are descendants from African slaves ▫C▫Cuisine mixes elements from African, French, Carib Amerindian and South Asian foods Places to visit ▫F▫Fort-de-France ▫L▫La Savanne ▫S▫St Pierre ▫L▫Le Carbet ▫T▫The South (beaches)

Montserrat History ▫A▫Arawak and Carib peoples lived there before Columbus claimed it in 1493 ▫F▫Fell under English control in 1632 ▫B▫Briefly captured by France in 1782 due to the American Revolutionary War ▫S▫Slavery abolished in 1834 ▫F▫From it was considered a part of the Federal Colony of the Leeward Islands Geography ▫E▫East southeast of Puerto Rico and southwest of Antigua ▫I▫Island is growing due to volcanic deposits on southeast coast ▫D▫Dramatic rock-faced cliffs ▫B▫Beaches ▫C▫Coves ▫T▫Two islets LLittle Redonda and Virgin SStatue Rock

Montserrat cont. Culture ▫C▫Cricket is a popular sport ▫H▫Has its own FIFA Affiliated football team Places to visit ▫G▫Green Monkey Dive Shop ▫S▫Soufriere Hills Volcano ▫M▫Montserrat Volcano Observatory ▫J▫Jack Boy Hill Viewing Facility ▫O▫Oriole Walkway Trail ▫C▫Cot Trail ▫R▫Rendezvous Beach ▫O▫Oriole Complex

Puerto Rico History ▫H▫History is not well known from before Columbus arrived there ▫F▫First comprehensive historical book was written in 1786 by Fray Íñigo Abbad y Lasierra ▫W▫When Columbus arrived, the island was inhabited by the Taínos ▫C▫Columbus named the island San Juan Bautista for Saint John the Baptist Geography ▫C▫Consists of the main island and various smaller islands OOnly two of the smaller islands are inhabited year round ▫C▫Composed of Cretaceous to Eocene volcanic and plutonic rocks

Puerto Rico cont. Culture ▫U▫Unique mix of Africans, Taíno, Spanish, and North American cultures ▫C▫Catholic religion is the majority of the cultural values and traditions ▫C▫Culture centers on the influence of music Places to visit ▫C▫Cabo Rojo Lighthouse ▫G▫Guajataca ▫G▫Gilligan's Island ▫V▫Vieques Island ▫S▫San Juan ▫E▫El Yunque National Forest ▫C▫Camuy Caves Park ▫P▫Ponce

St. Kitts & Nevis History ▫W▫Was settled by Native Americans five thousand years before Europeans arrived ▫D▫Discovered by Columbus in 1493 ▫F▫French Huguenots established a settlement in 1538, but it was destroyed ▫E▫English established a settlement in 1623 ▫N▫Nevis colonized in 1628 by English from St. Kitts Geography ▫T▫Two main islands ▫I▫Islands are of volcanic origin ▫L▫Large central peaks covered by tropical rainforests ▫T▫Terrain is flatter out by the coasts

St. Kitts & Nevis cont. Culture ▫K▫Known for musical celebrations ▫C▫Cricket is the common sport ▫T▫They have a football team ▫B▫Billiard Federation Places to visit ▫B▫Brimstone Hill ▫S▫Sandy Bay Beach ▫B▫Basseterre ▫F▫Frigate Bay Beach ▫P▫Plantations

St. Lucia History ▫E▫Europeans arrived there between 1492 and 1502 ▫W▫Was first settled by the French ▫A▫After British took control, Africans were imported as slaves ▫M▫Many natives died due to the foreign diseases Europeans brought over SSmallpox MMeasles ▫B▫British secured island in 1814 Geography ▫M▫Made of volcanic material ▫M▫Much more mountainous than any other Caribbean island ▫T▫Tropical climate ▫N▫Northeast trade winds ▫D▫Dry season from December 1 to May 31 ▫W▫Wet season from June 1 to November 30

St. Lucia cont. Culture ▫I▫Influenced by African, East Indian, French, and English heritage ▫C▫Carnival before Lent ▫ Soca, salsa, zumba and reggae music Places to visit ▫P▫Pigeon Island National Park ▫A▫Anse Chastanet Beach and Reef ▫E▫Errard Plantation ▫F▫Fregate Island Nature Reserve ▫M▫Maria Islands Nature Reserve ▫A▫Anse Mamin ▫S▫St. Lucia Rain Forest

St. Maarten (Netherlands Antilles) History ▫C▫Columbus claimed it as a Spanish territory, but he never actually landed there ▫S▫Since Spanish did not settle there, the French and Dutch did ▫D▫Dutch founded settlements there in 1631 ▫C▫Captured from the Dutch by the Spanish in 1633 ▫S▫Spanish deserted the island in 1648 Geography ▫L▫Lowlands ▫T▫Tropical climate ▫T▫Two island groups

St. Maarten (Netherlands Antilles) cont. Culture ▫D▫Dutch and English are the official languages ▫E▫English-based Creole dialect also spoken ▫D▫Different influences apparent in languages spoken (European and West African influences) Places to visit ▫P▫Philipsburg ▫M▫Marigot ▫G▫Grand Case ▫O▫Orient Bay ▫M▫Maho Bay ▫M▫Mullet Bay ▫L▫Loterie Farm

St. Vincent & Deps. (Baquia, Canouan Grenadines) History ▫D▫Discovered by Columbus in 1498 on his third expedition ▫D▫Discovered on January 22nd, which was a holiday celebrating the patron saint of Portugal IIt has been said that this is wrong, and that Columbus was nowhere near the island on that date Geography ▫1▫18 miles long, 11 miles wide ▫D▫Dominated by an active volcano EErupted violently in 1812 and 1902 MMost recent was on April 13, 1979 ▫T▫Tropical humid ▫H▫Has both black sand and white sand beaches

St. Vincent & Deps. (Baquia, Canouan Grenadines) cont. Culture ▫P▫Practices and beliefs of the Caribs and West African descendants ▫M▫Music is a major part of the culture ▫S▫Speak English and Venetian Creole Places to visit ▫T▫The Mesopotamia/Marriaqua Valley ▫M▫Montreal Gardens ▫L▫La Soufriere ▫T▫Trinity Falls ▫T▫The Botanical Gardens ▫V▫Vermont Nature Trail ▫O▫Owia Salt Pond ▫T▫The Cathedral of the Assumption ▫B▫Black Point Tunnel ▫F▫Fort Charlotte

Turks & Caicos Islands History ▫N▫Named after indigenous Turk's Head "fez" cactus and the Lucayan term "caya hico", meaning string of islands ▫F▫First inhabitants were Arawakan-speaking Taíno people that traveled over from Hispaniola ▫S▫Spanish began capturing the natives in 1492 and wiped out indigenous population ▫F▫First documented European sighting was in 1512 Geography ▫G▫Geographically contiguous to the Bahamas, but is a separate entity ▫P▫Primarily low, flat limestone ▫E▫Extensive marshes and mangrove swamps ▫W▫Weather is usually sunny and relatively dry ▫L▫Limited fresh water resources

Turks & Caicos Islands cont. Culture ▫M▫Most of the populations today are descendants of the African slaves that were brought over ▫ Many immigrants from Haiti and Dominican Republic ▫T▫Traditional music, folklore and sisal weaving are still major parts of the culture Places to visit ▫N▫National Parks ▫T▫Turks and Caicos Museum ▫T▫The Hole ▫I▫Iguana Island ▫C▫Caicos Conch Farm ▫T▫The Cheshire Hall Plantation

Virgin Islands, US History ▫O▫Originally inhabited by Ciboney, Carib, and Arawaks ▫N▫Named by Columbus for Saint Ursula and her followers during his 1493 voyage ▫D▫Danish West India Company settled in St. Thomas in 1672, St. John in 1694, and purchased St. Croix in 1733 ▫ Became royal Danish colonies in 1754 Geography ▫W▫West of British Virgin Islands ▫W▫White, sandy beaches ▫V▫Volcanic origin ▫H▫Hilly ▫C▫Coral reefs ▫S▫St. Croix has flatter terrain than the others ▫S▫Saint Thomas, Saint John, Saint Croix, and Water Island are the main islands

Virgin Islands, US cont. Culture ▫B▫Both Caribbean and American ▫C▫Calypso music, reggae, American pop, salsa, blues, oldies, rock and roll, and many other music genres ▫M▫Many of the people are Baptist or Catholic ▫S▫Superstitions and storytelling are popular Places to visit ▫T▫Trunk Bay ▫C▫Charlotte Amalie ▫C▫Coki Beach ▫F▫Fort Christian ▫H▫Haagensen House ▫C▫Cinnamon Bay ▫A▫Annaberg ▫C▫Catherineburg ▫T▫The Reef Bay Sugar Mill

Virgin Islands, British History ▫F▫First settled by Arawak that migrated from South America around 100 BC ▫D▫Displaced in 15 th century by the Caribs ▫F▫First European sighting in 1493 by Columbus on his second voyage ▫ Spanish claimed the islands in 16 th century ▫E▫English, Dutch, French, Spanish and Danish all took turns with controlling the islands Geography ▫E▫East of U.S. Virgin Islands ▫o▫of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke are the main islands TThere are 56 other smaller islands ▫N▫North Atlantic Ocean to the north and Caribbean Sea to the south ▫M▫Most are of volcanic origin and are hilly ▫T▫Tropical climate

Virgin Islands, British cont. Culture ▫T▫Traditional music is called fungi after a local cornmeal dish FFusion of European and African music ▫P▫Primary language that is spoken is English with a quick creole accent Places to visit ▫A▫Apple Bay ▫B▫Brewer's Bay ▫C▫Cane Garden Bay ▫ Josiah's Bay ▫E▫Elizabeth Beach ▫L▫Long Bay (East) ▫ Callwood Distillery ▫T▫The Dungeon ▫F▫Fort Burt ▫F▫Fort Recovery ▫J▫Josiah's Bay Plantation