1. Islands of the Caribbean

2. “West Indies” Original inhabitants – Native Indians. Columbus made 1 st landfall in New World in 1492 on Samana Cay in the Bahamas. 1 st settlement on Hispaniola (Haiti/DR) European colonists devastate native population. Called West Indies. Brought in millions of African slaves to work on plantations.

3. Caribbean Archipelagos Islands are peaks of underwater mountains, volcanoes, or formed of coral. Archipelago – chain of islands Three Archipelagos – Greater Antilles Lesser Antilles Bahamas

4. 29 islands, 661 cays. #1 source of income = Tourism 85% African, 12% European

5. Cuba Communist Country, rough history with U.S. Fidel Castro – dictator for 50 years Most populated of the Island Nations 90 miles south of Florida

6. Jamaica Former British Colony Ind. In 1962 Known for Tourism, Music (Reggae) High murder rate Jerk Chicken, Rastafari

7. Haiti Former French Colony Primary language - French Majority African descent Poorest country in the Western Hemisphere Devastated by Earthquake in 2010

8. Dominican Republic Home to Spain’s first capital in New World Spanish colony, Ind in 1844 #1 Caribbean tourist country Dance – Merengue Sport - Baseball

9. Puerto Rico Commonwealth of the U.S. Natives are U.S. Citizens Cannot vote in presidential election Do not pay federal income taxes