Kmusser, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Caribbean is made up of three main archipelagos: The Greater Antilles, the Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles. Collectively these islands are often referred to as the West Indies. The Greater Antilles consists of a group of large islands located in the western region of the Caribbean Sea. Six islands make up the Greater Antilles.
The Caribbean was originally inhabited by indigenous people, who migrated through the islands from Central and South America. While not every island's or country's indigenous name is known, you can learn most of them here. After the arrival of the Europeans, the indigenous people were either enslaved, killed, or died from diseases they were exposed to by European settlers.
Each country has its own history but there is also a common history of the destruction or removal of the native people, the colonization by European countries, the introduction of enslaved West Africans to the region via the Transatlantic Slave Trade; the establishment of slavery-based economies, the revolts or anti-slavery movements that eventually emancipated the enslaved populations, the indentured servants from East India and Asia, the stirring and mixing of African, European, Indigenous, East Indian, and Asian cultures that formed new cultures.
The infusion of musical traditions, culinary arts, climate, and heritage produced unique customs that bring the Caribbean community together. Despite different languages, dialects, or creoles spoken throughout the countries, there is a unifying value shared: an appreciation of and pride in who they are.
The Cayman Islands host an annual Cayman Arts Festival. Caymanite is a type of limestone rock that can only be found on the islands. Cayman Islands is part of CARICOM, an organization of fifteen Caribbean countries and five Associated States that promote common goals, policies, and union.
Lhb1239, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Language(s): English
Capital: George Town, located on Grand Cayman
National Anthem: The United Kingdom's "God Save the King" is the official national anthem.
"Beloved Isle Cayman" is the national song, written by Leila Ross-Sheir in 1930.
Agriculture/Economy: Agriculture, tourism, turtle farms
Currency: Cayman Islands Dollar (CS$) 1 = $1.25 USD
National Dish: Turtle Stew, made with turtle meat, onion, garlic, and peppers. The country does not use wild turtle to source the meat. Turtle meat is derived from government-owned turtle farms.
Image Credit: Canva
The Confessions of Frannie Langton by 
Cuba's capital, Havana, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a title bestowed on locations of cultural or architectural significance. In total, Cuba has nine locations listed as World Heritage Sites. Cuba's ecosystem is home to the world's smallest bird. The zunzuncito is a species of hummingbird and native only to the island.
Language(s): Spanish
Capital: Havana
National Anthem: "El Himno de Bayamo" is the national anthem, written by Perucho Figueredo in 1867-68. It was formally adopted in 1902.
"La Bayamesa" is the national song and uses the same melody as the national anthem. There are two versions: one composed in 1851 and the other in 1918.
Agriculture/Economy: Agriculture, tourism, petroleum, steel, cement manufacturing
Currency: Cuban Peso (CUP) 1 = $0.042 USD
National Dish: Ropa Vieja, a shredded beef dish served with yellow rice, black beans, and plantains.
Image Credit: Canva
Te Di la Vida Entera by 
The Dominican Republic is the birthplace of Merengue, a Latin-Caribbean music style. It is also the only place in the world where a rare blue gem, called larimar, can be found. The capital, Santo Domingo, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a title bestowed on locations of cultural or architectural significance.
Language(s): Spanish
Capital: Santo Domingo
National Anthem: "Quisqueyanos Valientes" was composed by José Reyes. Its lyrics are based on a poem. In 1897, Emilio Prud'homme made some changes to the lyrics. The anthem was officially adopted as in 1934.
Agriculture/Economy: Agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, mining
Currency: Dominican Peso (DOP) 1 = $0.0171796 USD
National Dish: Sancocho, a soup consisting of vegetables, ground provisions, and meats such as chicken, goat, pork or beef.
Image Credit: Canva
Clap When You Land by 
Citadelle Laferrière is a 19th century fortress built by Emperor Henri Christophe to prevent a recapture of Haiti by France's Napoleon Bonaparte. The Citadelle, along with the Palace of San Souci, and the Ramiers buildings are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a title bestowed on locations of cultural or architectural significance. Haiti is also part of CARICOM, an organization of fifteen Caribbean countries and five Associated States that promote common goals, policies, and union.
Language(s): French, Haitian Kreyòl
Capital: Port-au-Prince
National Anthem: "La Dessalinienne", named in honor of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, a revolutionary and the first governor-general and, later, emperor of Haiti. It was officially adopted in 1904.
Agriculture/Economy: Agriculture, tourism, manufacturing textiles, flour milling, sugar refining
Currency: Haitian Gourde (HTG) 1 = $0.0076 USD
National Dish: Griot served with diri ak pwa, fried pork with rice and beans.
Image Credit: Canva
The Garden of Broken Things by 
Jamaica is the top portion of a large underwater mountain that rises up from the ocean floor. It is also the birthplace of reggae music in the 1960s, and music icons like Bob Marley. The Blue and John Crow Mountains are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a title bestowed on locations of cultural or architectural significance. Jamaica is also part of CARICOM, an organization of fifteen Caribbean countries and five Associated States that promote common goals, policies, and union.
Eddie Mallin, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Language(s): English, Jamaican English patois
Capital: Kingston
National Anthem: "Jamaica, Land We Love" written by Hugh Braham Sherlock and Robert Charles Lightbourne. Adopted as national anthem in 1962.
Agriculture/Economy: Agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, construction
Currency: Jamaican Dollar (JMD) 1 = $0.0065 USD
National Dish: Ackee and Saltfish, a dish made of salted codfish sauteed with onions, peppers, and ackee. Ackee is a fruit native to West Africa. Traditionally served for breakfast.
Image Credit: Canva
Augustown by 
La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a title bestowed on locations of cultural or architectural significance. Puerto Rico was once home to the Alcos, breed of dog that was domesticated by the indigenous Taino people who habited the islands. The Alco did not bark, was small in stature with long hair and short ears. The breed is now extinct.
Charles Hamilton Smith, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Language(s): Spanish, English
Capital: San Juan
National Anthem: "La Borinqueña", composed by Félix Astol Artés and written by Manuel Fernández Juncos. It was adopted in 1952.
Agriculture/Economy: Agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals
Currency: United States Dollar (USD)
National Dish: Arroz con gandules, a dish made of rice and pigeon peas, pork, chorizo, peppers, and olives.
Image Credit: Canva
Antes Que Llegue la Luz by 
