Defining the Caribbean

• Definitions

  Each definition has its advantages and disadvantages. They all add something unique about the Caribbean but NO definition provides absolute definition of the Caribbean since each one has its limitation.
• Regions of the Caribbean

  • Greater Antilles - 4 largest islands (Jamicia, Cuba, Hispaniola & Puerto Rico)
  • Lesser Antilles - 3 smaller regions (Windward Island, Leeward Islands and Leeward Antilles)
  • Mainland Territories - Belize, Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana
  • Other Territories - Cayman Islands, The Bahamas & Turks and Caicos Islands
• Geographical

  Caribbean Basin were the central identifying feature is the Caribbean Sea which is rimmed by islands and mainland territories of central and south America. Emphasis is placed on the sea as the claim is made that the Caribbean lies where the lands are touched by the Caribbean Sea. It can also be defined using lines of latitude and longitude lies between 60 W and 90 W to locate the region.
• Geographical Cont...

  The regions of the Caribbean are greater and lesser Antilles and the subdivisions of windward and leeward islands. However this definition is flawed since territories such as Bermuda, Turks and Caicos and Barbados are outside the region of the Caribbean sea yet they are still considered part of the Caribbean. Whereas Mexico is wash up by the Caribbean sea but not apart.
• Geological

  This definition emphasizes the movements of the earth that occurred 140 million years ago. Geologists argue that the archipelago would have been connected possibly to the range of mountains in the Andes. The Caribbean plate is located under the North American plate. It is one of the smaller plates on the Earth's surface and is a significant feature in the region. It's boundaries define seismic activity, such as earthquakes, volcanic acitivty and mountain building.
• Geological Cont...

  Volcanic activities and other tectonic activities occurred resulting in the formation of such areas as the Greater and Lesser Antilles. The Caribbean plate has been described as the hotbed for tectonic activities however it is flawed since the Caribbean plate does not include Guyana, the Bahamas and much of Cuba. Geology alone cannot provide a comprehensive framework to define the Caribbean.
• Historical

  Shared experience of the coming of the indigenous people to the region, via the Orinoco river. As well as emphasize their settlement on the islands of the greater and lesser Antilles as the groups evolved their identity of tainos and kalinagos. Later on, the West Indies was conquered by the European powers in the 16th – 19th centuries (Spanish, French, English, Dutch). They claimed islands as colonies and ruled over them they became outpost of the empire and the colonies were considered to exist for the benefit of the metropole.
• Historical Cont...

  Genocide of the indigenous people occurred through the intense systems of labour (encomienda and repartimiento). Slavery became the foundation for the labour systems with the establishment of the transatlantic slave trade. After emancipation indentured labour had formed the backbone of some territories.
• Historical Cont...

  Another central theme was resistance and revolution (only revolution successful - Haitian) but other revolutions were the in Grenada, Cuba. Lastly, there were movements towards independence for the British colonies were political enfranchisement, adult suffrage, internal self – government, federation and independence. Although colonization is a shared feature of the historical Caribbean, within this there are fundamental differences between territories.
• Political

  Territories in the Caribbean that share a similar political system such as independent states, associated states and colonial dependencies. The first member state to be declared an independent state is Haiti as it declare their independence in 1804. The majority of the British colonies gained their independence in the 20th century, with Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago being grated theirs in 1962. Puerto Rico being an associated state of the USA and a few colonial dependencies being Montserrat, British Virgin Islands and Bermuda.
• Political Cont...

  There is an overseas department of France which are Martinique, Guadeloupe and Franch Guiana. These territories are directly ruled from France with a Prefect appointed in Paris. CARICOM is an organization which aims to unite the Caribbean into one political entity.
• Political Cont...

  By granting Suriname full status and having Cuba included, CARICOM has created a political definition for the Caribbean that goes beyond the traditional definition of the British Commonwealth. Whereas the Association of Caribbean States include countries not originally in CARICOM. The OECS though economic has a political element as well. Also, the Westminster system of government forms the foundation of the countries formerly ruled by Britan.
• Diasporic

  The diaspora has been created through the numerous migratory movements. that occurred since 1839 as many hundreds of thousands of West Indians sought labour beyond the places of their birth. It is futile to attempt to represent the Caribbean diaspora on a map as the links would intersect end connect across the globe.
• Diasporic Cont...

  With the migration to territories such as British Guiana and Trinidad in the 19th century, national diasporas, such as the Barbadian, Antiguan and Kittitian diasporas were formed. With the migration to non - British spaced such as Cuba, Panama and Costa Rica, the construct of the West Indies diaspora was formed, as the speaking of English and coming from the region became the main ingredient for identity formation.
• Diasporic Cont...

  With the major migrations in the second half of the 20th century to the United Kingdom, USA and Canada and the increased use of the construct 'Caribbean' the term Caribbean diaspora was formed. it is essentially the migration of Caribbean people to various countries despite living elsewhere but still identifying with the region or consider their original country as home. to add people born outside of the region still identify themselves based on their first generation's heritage.
• Lesser Antilles

  • The Windward Islands - Dominicia, Martinique, St. Lucia & Grenada
  • The Leeward Islands - Saba, Montserrat, Guadelupe & St. Kitts and Nevis
  • The Leeward Antilles - ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire & Curacao)