Caribbean countries. Caribbean countries and their capitals

Caribbean from A to Z: the most popular islands, beaches and hotels in Jamaica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Barbados or the Bahamas. colorful photo and video. Tour operators in the Caribbean.

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The legendary Antilia, and later the colonial West Indies, the Caribbean nestled comfortably in the geographical "hollow" between North and South America. Large and small, windward and leeward, heavily populated by tourists and uninhabited, the Caribbean is a paradise for downshifters and drug lords, and at the same time one of the most popular destinations beach exotic. Fifty odd islands in the Caribbean are home to a real and well-balanced paradise, the perfect combination of natural and man-made: the rich heritage of the colonial past in the form of a mass of museum houses and pompous mansions perfectly complements the exotic nature, where greenery rainforest alternates with volcanic landscapes, and expanses of coffee plantations are replaced by thickets of sugar cane and bananas.

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Putting sentiment aside and turning to dry facts, we learn that the Caribbean includes the Greater and Lesser Antilles. The first include 4 large islands "stretching" to the mainland: Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica and Puerto Rico; to the second - a round dance of all sorts of trifles, in turn divided into leeward and windward islands: the noisy Bahamas and the authentic Turks and Caicos, divided between the USA and Great Britain Virgin Islands, outlandish Antigua and Barbuda , discovered by Columbus Guadeloupe and birthplace of Josephine Beauharnais Martinique, Grenada, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, finally - glorified by the saga of Jack Sparrow Dominique. By the way, the island of Curacao (the one that gave the name to the popular liquor) is also located here.

Diving in Curacao

The reasons for the popularity of the Caribbean in the tourist market are obvious: the warm sea all year round, the amazing beauty of nature, a large selection of hotels and a whole bunch of entertainment - water and "dry" sports, nightclubs, discos, restaurants, interesting excursions. Let's take Cuba or the Dominican Republic as an example. Here you can not only enjoy the sea and the sun, but also wander around old Havana, walk through coffee and tobacco plantations, listen to the singing of street singers, "burn off" at the disco and, in general, breathe the air of freedom in every possible way.

Distinctive feature Caribbean - big variety recreation options, because each state has its own “specialization” here.

In Barbados, for example, many English traditions are firmly rooted in life. There is a large selection of hotels, and not all of them accept small children: rest here is mostly calm and relaxed.

15 days in the Dominican Republic

Grenada is known as the "Spice Island", there are many botanical gardens, museums, attractions, and magnificent beaches so they invite you to lie down on a soft White sand. The Turks and Caicos attract the attention of a respectable public with their magnificent five-star hotels, as well as good conditions for diving and high-level SPA-centers.

Saint Lucia bears the proud title of "Garden Island" and is one of the most beautiful islands Caribbean Sea. In contrast, Aruba is a desert island with great hotels and vibrant nightlife. There are many hotels in Saint Martin different levels, A Bahamas offer huge selection accommodation options, from secluded hotels to bustling urban complexes.

Finally, in Curacao, just the same without fail you need to go to one of the bars and order a glass of a wonderful blue drink!

Ethnic processes in the Caribbean. M., 1982.

Several thousand islands of the Caribbean archipelago. Greater Antilles - Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Jamaica.

Lesser Antilles - Trinidad, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Curaçao, Barbados, Saint Vincent, Grenadines, Tabago.

1592 - Klumb discovered the Bahamas (Haiti and Cuba), the settlement of the Greater Antilles was accompanied by mass death of the indigenous population.

Lesser Antilles from the last third of the 16th century became the scene of a sharp struggle between Spain, England, France, Holland. The British captured in the 20s of the 16th century Barbados, St. Christopher (St. Kitts), Nevis, Bahamas, then Antigua and Montserrat in the 30s, in the 40s Bermuda, in 1655 - Jamaica.

Dominica changed hands 10 times, and 14 wars were fought over Saint Lucia. In 1797 they captured Trinidad.

Holland captured Curacao in 1634, later it was captured by the British and French, and only in 1815 the dominance of the Netherlands was established on the island, as well as in Aruba, Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatue. Sint Martin was divided between Holland and France in 1648.

1635 - France captured Martinique and Guadeloupe, at the end of the 17th century - western part islands of Haiti (Saint Domingo). From 1804, this became the first independent state of Latin America, the Negro Republic of Haiti.

The Spanish part of the island declared independence in 1821 (Dominican Republic).

The heyday of slavery is associated with the creation of sugarcane plantations in tropical America (in the 16th century - in Brazil, in the second half of the 18th century in the West Indies, first in the Lesser Antilles, and then in the Greater Antilles.

The French colonies are the largest supplier of sugar to Europe (primarily San Domingo), then the English colonies.

championship to Spanish Cuba passed in the 19th century, after the slave revolution in Haiti.

abolition of slavery

in the British colonies

1848 - in the French Antilles,

1863 - in the Dutch Antilles,

1873 - in Puerto Rico,

1876- on owned by Denmark parts of the Virgin Islands

As a result of the abolition of slavery, the slaves did not receive land, and the former slave owners retained their dominant economic and political position.

In 1898, as a result of the American-Spanish-Cuban War, Puerto Rico was captured by the United States, and Cuba actually became a semi-colony of the United States.

In 1917, the United States forced Denmark to sell its part of the Virgin Islands (St. John, St. Thomas and Santa Cruz).

In 1958, the West Indies Federation (Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados and other islands of the West Indies) was created, giving it limited autonomy.

1946 - Guadeloupe and Martinique are declared "overseas departments" of France.

1954 - The Netherlands Antilles became an "autonomous part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands" with internal self-government.

1952 - Puerto Rico was declared a "freely affiliated" state with the United States, although in fact nothing has changed on the island.

60-70s - the collapse of the West Indies Federation, the British colonial enclave in the West Indies.

In the French West Indies, the rise of the national liberation movement, and the delimitation of national forces on the issue of self-determination. The local bourgeoisie and the Europeans were in favor of maintaining the status of an "overseas department".

The English-speaking countries of the West Indies have a higher level of economic development. This is Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica. Rest island states– monocultural development, export of agricultural products, tourism. Foreign banking and insurance campaigns.

French departments - Guadeloupe and Martinique - the same basis of the economy.

Netherlands Antilles - the basis of the economy is oil refining (from Venezuela and the Middle East). Curacao has a huge number of foreign campaigns.

Puerto Rico - large oil refining and petrochemical complexes.

The Caribbean is a racially and ethnically diverse population.

Indigenous Indian population by the beginning of the 17th century, it was exterminated on almost all the islands. Carib Indians survived in Dominica, Grenada.

Black slaves were imported from the 16th century until the first half of the 19th century. Their flow increased as the plantation economy developed. Sometimes the ratio of the number of blacks and whites reached 13 to 1 (for example, in St. Domingo).

Black slaves stripped of ethnic identity cultural heritage, were forced to adapt to the culture of the white minority.

But the white population was also influenced by the African majority. It was a long cultural and ethnic process of "creolization". (p.9)

16-17 centuries - the appearance of a significant layer of mulattoes, which by the end of the 18th century on different islands made up from 5 to 25% of the population. (p. 10), these are free colored people.

It was they who first of all arose a new ethnic identity - Cuban, Dominican, and not French, African, Spanish.

After the abolition of slavery and until 1917, contracted workers were imported from India. In Trinidad - at least half of the population, they are in Jamaica, Grenada, Cuba.

In the 50-70s of the 19th century, several thousand Indians from Yucatan (Mexico) and about 140 thousand Chinese were imported to Cuba. A small number of Indians from India moved here. And from 1912 to 1930, about 300 thousand natives of Haiti, Jamaica, Barbados to work on sugar plantations. A significant part of the Portuguese came here.

At the end of the 19th century, Christian Arabs migrated from the Turkish Mediterranean (present-day Palestine, Syria, Lebanon). In the West Indies they were called Syrians. Representatives of some of these new ethnic and racial groups in the West Indies gradually partially or completely assimilated, mixing with the local "colored" population.

Others (for example, the Indians in Trinidad, the Chinese who arrived in Cuba in the 20th century) retain, to one degree or another, their customs, traditions, and old ethnic identification.

Where there was a significant influx of immigrants from Europe, the Negro population grew more slowly than the white (Puerto Rico, Cuba, light-skinned mulattos in the Dominican Republic).

On the rest of the islands, blacks make up the majority, and together with mulattoes, 9/10 of the total population.

The Caribbean is divided into 4 ethno-cultural sub-regions:

The persistence of the main social contradictions prolongs the period of "unstable democracy" in the country.

In Haiti, the racial factor has a significant impact on political life. Of the 4 million population, 90% are blacks, and 10% are mulattoes. For more than 30 years (from 1920 to 1950) puppet mulatto governments ruled in the country. The Negro Duvalier clan was in power from 1957 until 1986. Duvalier came to power under the Negritude racial slogan: "Haiti for blacks!", "Power to the Negroes!", "Black racism." The black color of the skin was synonymous with "poverty and pride", and light - "wealth and betrayal."

Haiti is characterized by racial hatred between blacks and mulattoes. The cult of water, Voodoism is perceived as a religion of the broad Negro masses, reflecting the "Negro mentality". campaign against catholic church was perceived as a struggle against the main ideological stronghold of the mulatto minority.

Ethnic and cultural specifics of the country, national identity, features of the local mentality have a significant impact on political situation in the country. The main challenge for Haiti remains the need to achieve civil harmony in society.

The dominance of Great Britain was established in the 17th century. Jamaica was turned into a huge slave market.

Since 1962 - an independent state within the British Commonwealth.

Most of the population (80%) are descendants of slaves exported from Africa. The black majority is distrustful of the "new "colored elite", consisting of mulattos and people with even less African blood. The white elite is predominantly the ruling class, but there is a growing black elite and intelligentsia.

In Jamaica, the all-Caribbean Black Power movement, which made itself known in the 60s, gained significant popularity. That is why the rule of the LPJ (Liberal Party of Jamaica), led by Bustamante (“a white man of Spanish origin”), was perceived as a “white minority government”. The mulatto M. Manley, the leader of the NPP Social Democratic Party, was perceived as the "black Moses" who would lead the people of Jamaica to the promised land.

Jamaica is a country of immigrants. Mass emigration of Jamaicans began at the end of the 19th century, as a result of the dispossession of the peasantry. Jamaican blacks worked on the construction of the Panama Canal, on banana plantations in Central America, on sugar plantations in Cuba and the United States. Currently, almost a third of Jamaicans live in the UK, USA, Nicaragua, Costa Rica.

The spoken dialect has little in common with English and is sometimes referred to as a special creole dialect. The Chinese and Indians living here also use the Jamaican dialect, but in everyday life they speak their own languages. The art and architecture of Jamaica is strongly influenced by European culture and the traditions of African peoples. Traditional Jamaican folk crafts involve wood carving and metalworking.

Stone C. Class, Race and Political Behavior in Urban Jamaica. Kingston, 1979.

At the junction of three civilizations: features of the formation of English-speaking Caribbean communities. //Universal values ​​and civilization specificity of Latin America. M., 1995.

One of the features of the Caribbean countries is the high level of population growth. Limitation natural resources, weak development of the economy, difficulties in solving the problem of employment - this is not a complete list of factors that forced the governments of many countries in the region to take measures to limit the birth rate in the 60s.

Barbados.

The first English settlers appeared on the island in 1625. The island remained an English colony for over 300 years. The population of the country is mainly made up of descendants of African slaves who were imported to work on sugar plantations. The standard of living in Barbados is higher than in other Caribbean countries.

Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

The islands were discovered by H. Columbus in 1493, and one of the islands was named San Cristobal. From 1623 it was a French colony, and in 1624 the first English settlement in the West Indies was founded on the island. France and England constantly fought for the island, and only under the Treaty of Versailles in 1783 did it finally go to Great Britain. An English colony was founded on the island of Nevis in 1628.

The Caribs and Arawaks were forced out of the islands and destroyed. The modern composition of the population was formed in the course of complex ethnic processes. The British brought here prisoners of war (Irish, Scots, Welsh),_ as well as a significant number of African slaves. The main stratum of the colored population is formed from mulattoes and freed blacks. After the abolition of slavery, the Portuguese began to come to the islands, people from West Africa, and since the second half of the 19th century, contract workers from India have been coming here.

Creoles, the descendants of African slaves, formed the basis of the society that developed on the islands. Currently, 86% of the population has African roots. Of course, racial prejudice still persists, but the growing processes of miscegenation blur the lines between individual groups of the population.

Creole has become widespread among the population - a dialect that arose on the basis of simplified English, French and some African languages.

The dominant religion is Protestantism

Trinidad and Tobago.

Trinidad was captured by Great Britain in 1797, and Tobago - in 1877. After 11 years, the two islands united. After the abolition of slavery, former slaves began to farm on free lands and partially moved to cities. To replace them, a massive import of contracted workers from India began.

96% of the republic's population live on the island of Trinidad. Trinidad is colorful ethnic composition population - Africans, Indians, Chinese, Spaniards, French, British. Most are Negroes or Afro-Creoles (42%), Indians (41%), then mulattos, descendants of Europeans and Chinese. Indians speak Hindi, Afro-Creoles use Creole (or Patois). African traditions have been preserved in the religious sphere and musical and song culture. Trinidad is where most of the Indians of the West Indies are concentrated. Indians, by virtue of their traditions, did not mix with other groups of the population and still retain many of the customs of their homeland.

The majority of the population are Catholics and Protestants (60%), they are mostly blacks and mulattos, 30% are Hindus, and Muslims are 6%.

The main export items of the republic are oil and oil products, gas, sugar, cocoa.

ETHNIC COMPOSITION IN THE COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL AMERICA.

Sources -Almanaque Mundial, 2002. Televisa.

The countries of the Caribbean, unique in their geographical and historical features, are a giant Antilles archipelago, which is entrenched between two large continents - North and South America. Uninhabited islands and vast areas of land, a riot of greenery and desert sandy expanses have become the basis for development here. new culture and new customs. The Caribbean countries were discovered about five hundred years ago, and since then they have often been called the West Indies. It combines the cultures of various peoples of the world, their customs and languages.

Region position

Very close to the equator, but still located in the Northern Hemisphere. It is considered one of the most beautiful in the world due to its genuine turquoise color and the richest flora and fauna. Its waters are protected from the Atlantic, among which there are large and small ones. The first category includes Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti and Puerto Rico. The second includes the bright and noisy Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, all the small lands that are part of the Dominican Republic, the island of Curacao, Barbados, Aruba and many other "little things". It is on these lands that the countries of the Caribbean are located. We will list them below, and also consider their proximity to the mainland.

List of states washed by the Caribbean Sea

In the northern part of the waters, near the Gulf Stream, the famous Bahamas are located. For a long time this place has become synonymous with luxury holidays, warm sea and vivid impressions. Below is the region - Cuba. Local customs are a synthesis of communism and the latest developments in the field of infrastructure for tourists.

A little to the south is another famous resort area- Dominican Republic. It occupies a large as well as small islands adjacent to it. Local landscapes are marked by exotic plants and original fauna. Surrounded by Jamaica and Puerto Rico. These are two small states, where a real tropical paradise is also provided to all tourists.

Below, closer to the south, are small islands: Guadeloupe, Barbados, Grenada, Saint Lucia. And the countries of the Caribbean, which have close proximity to southern mainland, are Curacao and Aruba.

Tourism in the Caribbean

Perhaps this is one of the few places on Earth where people from all over the world come to relax. And this is not surprising, because the sea is equally warm all year round, the hot sun, a lot of tropical greenery. In addition, local customs, incendiary dances, parties, communication will make your holiday bright and unforgettable. The Caribbean countries have a similar culture in many respects, but still different in some aspects. For example, Barbados is the personification. British traditions are honored here, they speak only English and receive tourists in the same way as it is customary to do in London. Aruba is next to Colombia. Mostly residents come here to relax. South America- Argentina, Brazil, Chile. Therefore, a more “Latinized” way of life has been formed here.

What to eat in this summer paradise?

Thousands of islands that have been inhabited for five hundred years by the inhabitants of the most different corners planets have absorbed many culinary traditions. Caribbean cuisine includes recipes from local Indians, Spaniards, French, British, Indians, Africans, Arabs, and even Chinese. Pork, beef, vegetables and fruits familiar to us came here from Europe. Africans brought kalau, aki and bambia to the Central American region, as well as several of their national dishes. Rice was supplied from the East to the Antilles, which today is eaten in almost all Latin America. Of course, this synthesis was supplemented by local products - potatoes, corn, tropical fruits and beans. Thanks to this, the culinary assortment of the whole world was updated, and new recipes began to appear in the books of hostesses. However, one cannot generalize about any one national dish that is served in restaurants throughout the region. Each tiny country has its own culinary specialties.

Dishes that are prepared in different Antilles

Now let's look at exactly what recipes you can borrow for yourself by visiting the Caribbean. Dominican Republic- one of the most popular resorts in this natural area. They are popular here local fruits and meat. A national dish- "Bandera", which is made from meat, bananas and beans. In Jamaica, people enjoy the taste of meat, fish and citrus fruits. It is on the basis of these products that Saltfish and Aki are prepared, as well as the famous local pies Juicy Patis. But in Barbados, fish and other seafood are at a premium. Washed down by locals traditional dishes rum. But a real paradise for lovers of everything marine is Aruba. Seaweed salads are prepared here, lobsters, king prawns and lobsters are served as appetizers.

Administrative features of the Antilles

IN this region there are about thirty which have their own symbols, laws and customs. Therefore, now we will consider in more detail which territorial units the Caribbean contains. Countries and capitals are both independent powers and territories that are provinces. Below is a list of the main ones:

• Cuba - Havana.
• Aruba - Orandjestad.
• Bahamas - Nassau.
• Barbados - Bridgetown.
• Guadeloupe - Basse-Terre.
• Dominican Republic - Roseau.
• Puerto Rico - San Juan.
• Jamaica - Kingston.
• Saint Lucia - Castries.

Conclusion

Countries located in the Caribbean are characterized by a consistently warm climate, hot sun and minimal rainfall. There is quite lush vegetation on most of the islands, only some of them are deserted. Unique nature, the originality of the local culture make this region different from all others that exist in Latin America.

caribbean this is perhaps one of the visualizations of heaven on earth. All year round the sea is warm and gentle, the sun does not seem to remember the word winter at all, and the sand of color from snow-white to black beckons: lie down, relax, listen to the sound of the waves and the singing of birds, forget about everything and enjoy your vacation ...

The hardest question about caribbean- this is where to go and which of the islands to choose. There are many of them and the one who believes that they are all the same is mistaken. Incessant night life on the island of Aruba Aruba, the exquisitely English island of Barbados Barbados, the delightful multitude of beaches of Antigua Antigua, the unique Dutch charm of the island of Curacao Curacao or, on the contrary, the island of Jamaica Jamaica pulsating in the rhythm of reggae - all the Caribbean islands are similar only in their geographical location.

The widest and longest beaches in the Caribbean are the beaches of large islands - the island of Cuba Cuba, the island of Haiti Haiti, the island of Jamaica, the island of Puerto Rico Puerto Rico. However, there are world-famous beaches on small islands: for example, Eagle Beach, located on the island of Aruba, has long been included in the lists of the most-most beaches in the Caribbean - and in these ratings it is much higher than the beaches of Cuba, the Dominican Republic, the beaches of Jamaica and Puerto Rico. The universally recognized best beach for young children is Baby Beach in Aruba (the lagoon warms up perfectly, the water is clean and transparent, there are no waves).

Aruba Hotels varied, for every taste and budget: from small bungalows to high-rise hotels of international chains. So, for example, Riu Palace Aruba 5*, Bucty Beach Aruba 5*, Occidental Grand Aruba 5*, Machebo Beach 4* are at your service. To obtain good prices for tours to Aruba, it is better to book a trip in advance in order to choose the hotel you like and have time to get a visa to Aruba, which you will need.

If you do not take into account tours to Cuba and the Dominican Republic, since these islands are no longer perceived as exotic, then the third of the largest islands in the Caribbean will be the island Jamaica . This island offers a wide range of hotels from 2 to 5 stars. Most of the hotels on the island of Jamaica are all-inclusive, and other food options are also available here. Tours to Jamaica are especially popular in winter, when the warm Caribbean Sea becomes a salvation for Russian tourists who are freezing and tired of dullness. True, the prices for tours to Jamaica on winter period grow up. The island of Jamaica is characterized by an abundance of greenery, beautiful landscapes and vibrant nightlife. If you are looking for solitude from compatriots, then a tour to Jamaica is not for you - choose more unknown islands For example, Antigua.

Antigua Island it is difficult to find on the world map, but we know that it exists not only in the dreams of a tourist! Green, heavily indented coastline, the island of 365 beaches of Antigua will appeal to those connoisseurs exotic vacation who wants not only to lie on the beach, but also to see something new every day. A visa to Antigua is obtained upon arrival, which greatly simplifies the procedure for buying a tour to Antigua. A large selection of hotels on the island of Antigua will allow you to find perfect place in your concept of comfort.

Another island on "A" - Anguilla (Anguila) Anguilla - along with St. Barst (St. Bartholomew) Barth are one of the most expensive islands in the Caribbean. As compensation for the cost of a tour to Anguilla or St. Barst, it is possible to meet world stars here who certainly know the level of service in Anguilla hotels. Flight to Anguilla is possible only with neighboring islands, a tour to Anguilla implies an early opening of a visa, but can this be an obstacle for a real traveler?

When moving to the letter B, the motive “Bahama, Bahama mother” immediately comes to mind - this is about Bahamas Bahamas or as they are briefly called the Bahamas. A visa to the Bahamas is not needed and we will be happy to offer you a tour to the Bahamas at reasonable prices. But remember that the Bahamas is not only Nassau and Paradise Island with their beaches, but also about 700 islands, most of which are uninhabited. The Bahamas are very diverse, there are also big islands With developed infrastructure, and real protected areas, where only untouched nature and beaches. The Bahamas has the most big water park in the Caribbean - Aquaventure.

If the Bahamas is on everyone's lips, then Bermuda Bermuda or Bermuda is not so famous. Horseshoe Bay Beach - Horseshoe Beach - is in the top ten the best beaches according to the rating published on TripAdvisor. A visa to Bermuda is not as complicated as it seems, when buying a tour to Bermuda, we are ready to prove it to you.

Barbados Barbados is perhaps one of the most famous islands in the Caribbean - whatever they call it! And "Little England", and "England in the Caribbean", and the British themselves, perhaps, do not believe that the island of Barbados is no longer an English colony - and fly here all year round, even for short holidays. A visa to Barbados is obtained upon arrival, so tours to Barbados are issued quickly and without delay. The weather in Barbados is good all year round: the only thing is that there is more rain in summer, but a significant decrease in hotel prices during this period often leads to an increase in demand in summer.

In addition to the former English colonies in the Caribbean, there are many islands that once belonged to the Dutch and French colonies. Rich story, cultural traditions colonialists - all this left its mark on the Caribbean islands.

The most interesting for gourmets is Saint Martin Sint Maarten or St. Maarten is an island divided in half between France and Holland. This is the smallest piece of land on earth, belonging to two states. The border between the French and Dutch side is very conditional - tourists have the opportunity to cross it as many times as they like. The French side is famous for its restaurants: here is the Grand Case - the capital french cuisine gourmet in the Caribbean. The Dutch side has great nightclubs and casinos. A visa to St. Maarten opens when buying a tour and does not require a lot of time.

st barts or St. Bartholomew is a former French colony, one of the most expensive islands in the Caribbean. A flight to St. Barts is possible from neighboring islands and ordering a private jet as part of a tour to St. Barts is not easy, but very simple!

French territories in the Caribbean - Guadeloupe Guadeloupe, Martinique Martinique and Montserrat Montserrat - popular among fans of all things French. This, of course, is not Cote d'Azur, but if the Provencal pronunciation caresses your ears, then by all means choose a ticket to Guadeloupe or a tour to Martinique and remember that they are of a kind - simple, but tasteful. The island of Montserrat after the volcanic eruption is a sad sight, since most of the island is closed, but tours to Montserrat are interesting for lovers untouched nature, a visa to Montserrat can be obtained online.

Talking about netherlands not to mention the islands Aruba - Curaçao - Bonaire Bonaire . Located side by side, they are especially popular with travelers, because it is so easy to visit all 3 islands in one trip. In addition, they are completely different - Aruba is more dry and deserted, Curacao is greener and famous for Dutch architecture, and Bonaire Island is a nature reserve for nature lovers. Tours to these islands can be booked all year round, Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire lie away from the paths of hurricanes. Tours to Bonaire will interest lovers of diving and snorkeling, as well as just lovers of nature untouched by civilization. Curacao is famous for its aquarium, where you can see a huge number of marine animals and fish.

Caribbean countries have become popular holiday destinations for many people from different parts of the Earth. Their list was supplemented by both mainland and island states.

Caribbean Sea on the world map in Russian

The Caribbean Sea has been known in modern civilization since its discovery in the 15th century. The discoverers named the sea after the tribes Caribbean that inhabited the coast, although the sea has changed its name many times throughout history.

The Caribbean Sea has a romantic and sinister history of piracy, which flourished in the 18th century.

Piracy has long sunk into the past, but is of interest to this day. It was the story of the pirates of the Caribbean that became the plot for movie of the same name. The modern Caribbean Sea is the most fashionable and popular resorts of the world, attracting people with their amazing heavenly beauty.

The Caribbean Sea is an attractive holiday destination. You can choose a vacation to your taste in any country, almost at any time of the year, which is facilitated by the climate. Caribbean is land of eternal summer!

Where is?

The Caribbean Sea is the open sea in western hemisphere, in the Atlantic Ocean basin, it seems to connect two parts of the American continent, located between South and Central America and the Antilles. Through Panama Canal connected with the Pacific Ocean, through the Yucatan Strait has access to the Gulf of Mexico.

Climate

Climate of the Caribbean tropical, with a predominance east winds- trade winds. Tropical hurricanes are not uncommon, especially strong in northern regions seas. The most hurricane season is from June to November. Most often destructive hurricanes, from which residents suffered more than once coastal areas occur in the first months of autumn.

Sometimes hurricanes are so destructive that this event becomes part of history.

The amount of precipitation can vary depending on the winds and on what area of ​​the sea this or that island is located.

Temperature about the same in the Caribbean. average temperature in summer +28°C, in winter from 23 to 27°C.

List of basin countries

The Caribbean Sea washes the shores of many states and territories, both continental and insular.

What territories it washes: states and their capitals

Continental States, which washes the Caribbean Sea, are located in northern, central and south America.

The only country North America in the Caribbean - or, as it is called in the official language, the United Mexican States. The capital is Mexico City.

South American countries:

• Colombia, official name Republic of Colombia. The capital is Bogota;
• Venezuela or officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The capital is Caracas;
• Republic of Panama, partly located in Central America. The capital is Panama.

Central American countries:

1. Republic of Nicaragua, capital - Managua;
2. Republic of Honduras, the capital is Tegucigalpa;
3. Republic of Guatemala, capital - Guatemala;
4. Republic of Costa Rica, capital - San Jose;
5. Belize capital is Belmopan.

island states Caribbean:

• Cuba, official name, unofficial - Liberty Island. The capital is Havana;
• Dominican Republic, capital - Santo Domingo;
• Haiti, the official name of the Republic of Haiti, the capital of Port-au-Prince;
• Jamaica, capital - Kingston;
• Puerto Rico, officially called the Freely Associated State of Puerto Rico or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The capital is San Juan.

Read more about Puerto Rico in: history, climate, animal, vegetable world and other.

It is possible to single out the territories that are part of European countries: (Anguilla), France (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Martin), the Netherlands (Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius), this is due to the history of the colonization of the lands of the Caribbean. As well as territories belonging to the United States Virgin Islands, the capital is Charlotte Amalie.

Washed Islands

The islands of the Caribbean are Antilles Large and Small and Bahamas.

• Greater Antilles include the island of Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Cayman Islands. The smallest island is Little Cayman, its area is 28.5 km².
• Lesser Antilles these are: a chain of small islands, the largest of them are Trinidad and Tobago and Martinique, the smallest is Petit Martinique, only 2.4 km², with a population of 900 people.
• Bahamas include 700 small islands, and only 30 of them are inhabited.

Tourism in the Caribbean

The variety of resorts in the Caribbean makes it difficult to choose the best because each island is good in its own way. In the Caribbean, anyone will find a vacation to their liking. For Russian tourists the obstacle is the long and expensive journey to the Caribbean.

A nice bonus is that Russians do not need a visa to enter some states.

Popular resorts

Resorts where possible visa-free entry:

• Montego Bay- a resort for lovers of fun, movement, "hip-strip". The city of a never-sleeping port and luxurious hotels;

One of the most expensive resorts world is located just in the Caribbean Sea. Read about this and other resorts that not everyone can afford.

• Negril – white sandy beaches, appeasement, the kingdom of palm trees, natural area, remote from the noise of cities and industries;
• Ocho Rios charming with its inconsistency: on the one hand - quiet fishing towns, on the other hand - the center of cruise tourism. Both lovers of solitude and fans of parties can find a place for themselves in this resort.

The best beaches

Among the best beaches in the Caribbean, there are those that deserve extra attention:

The Caribbean Sea is attractive with comfort, romance and a certain share of danger, as Caribbean beaches often find themselves in the path of hurricanes. The strongest winds and complete serenity, the opportunity to choose a vacation and a beach to your liking, enjoy sea ​​views sports, to observe the life of plants and animals in the pristine corners of nature, attracts people from all over the world.

See video About holidays in the Caribbean: