The Caribbean: is a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea The largest island is Cuba
Archipelago: a large group of islands
The Caribbean Islands consist of 3 major groups of islands:’ ◦ 1-The Greater Antilles lie to the North of the Caribbean. They include the 4 big islands of: Jamaica, Cuba, Hispaniola (Haiti & Dominican Republic), & Puerto Rico. ◦ 2-The Lesser Antilles lie further south. They are also called the West Indies ◦ 3-Bahamas
Most of the islands sit on mountain tops in sea ◦ Many dormant volcanoes- what is dormant? An Inactive/sleeping volcano
Place Physical
Some active volcanoes
Tropical Savanna- soft winds keep it from being too hot Hazards: Tsunamis/ hurricanes
Cultures in Caribbean: Most of the people living in the Caribbean islands are descendents from Africans. WHY? Europeans brought millions of Africans to the islands to work as slaves on sugarcane plantations
Oil found in some islands Sugarcane Greatest natural resource= sunshine
Subsistence Farming Cash Crops: bananas, cotton and coffee Tourism is biggest $ maker
+ Every year millions of tourist visit the resorts of Caribbean ◦ Spend $ and create jobs Hotels, cruise ships, souvenirs, etc. - Pollution increase, huge debts to pay for building tourist facilities
Caribbean Islands: realized the bright sunshine and clear waters would attract guest ◦ Built many resorts
Earthquake Drills
Caribbean Islands