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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 also referred to as the West Indies. The Leeward Islands are part of the Lesser Antilles, located in the southeastern region of the Caribbean Sea. Two countries and eleven territories make up the Leeward Islands.
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.
Despite only being 16 miles long and 3.5 miles wide, Anguilla (pronounced An-gwi-la) has thirty-three beaches. It's modern name comes from the Spanish word for 'eel', which populated the island at the time of European discovery. Anguilla is part of CARICOM, an organization of fifteen Caribbean countries and five Associated States that promote common goals, policies, and union.
Language(s): English. Small communities speak variations of Spanish and Chinese.
Capital: The Valley
National Anthem: The United Kingdom's "God Save the King" is the official national anthem.
"God Bless Anguilla", adopted in 1981, is the regional anthem.
Agriculture/Economy: Tourism, financial services
Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (ECD) 1 = $0.37 USD
National Dish: Pigeon Peas and Rice, a dish made of fresh or canned peas, white rice, and spices, served with meat like chicken, pork, or beef.
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Antigua and Barbuda are comprised of three islands, including Redonda. Redonda, known to be the peak of a volcanic cone, is uninhabited. Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a title bestowed on a location of cultural or architectural significance. Antigua and Barbuda is part of CARICOM, an organization of fifteen Caribbean countries and five Associated States that promote common goals, policies, and union.
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Language(s): English, Spanish, Antiguan English creole
Capital: Saint John's, located on Antigua
National Anthem: "Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee," written by Novelle Hamilton Richards and composed by Walter Garnet Picart Chambers. It was adopted in 1981.
Agriculture/Economy: Tourism, construction
Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (ECD) 1 = $0.37 USD
National Dish: Saltfish and Fungee. Pronounced 'foon-jee', a dish made of cornmeal and okra typically served with saltfish or meat stews.
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The British Virgin Islands are made up of sixty islands, but have four main islands: Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda. The Baths (short for the Batholiths) on Virgin Gorda are made up of boulders that create a meandering cavern of pools along the coastline. Sheltered from the sun by these rocks, The Baths is a popular locale. British Virgin Islands is part of CARICOM, an organization of fifteen Caribbean countries and five Associated States that promote common goals, policies, and union.
Language(s): English, Virgin Islands English creole
Capital: Road Town, located on Tortola
National Anthem: The United Kingdom's "God Save the King," is the official national anthem.
"Oh, Beautiful Virgin Islands," the regional anthem, was written and composed by siblings, Kareem Nelson Hull and Ayana Hull. It was adopted in 2012.
Agriculture/Economy: Tourism, Service industries
Currency: United States Dollar (USD) since 1959
National Dish: Fish and Fungi, pronounced 'foon-gee', is a dish made of cornmeal and okra typically served with saltfish.
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Guadeloupe, a group of nine islands, is a hub for spices in the Caribbean from its Creole, African, and French history. In Pointe-à-Pitre, people shop in an open-air market for sweet and savory spices, sold from bags dressed in madras cloth.
Language(s): French, Gaudeloupean French creole
Capital: Basse-Terre
National Anthem: "La Marseillaise", France's national anthem, serves as Guadeloupe's official national anthem. No regional song or anthem is known.
Agriculture/Economy: Farming, growing tourism, government employment, French aid
Currency: 1 Euro (EUR) = $1.08 USD
National Dish: Porc Colombo, a curry stew made of seasoned pork, onions, peppers, tomato, and sweet potato.
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Montserrat's culture is influenced by it's African, British, and Irish ancestry. The Masquerade Dance, a symbol of it's African culture, began with enslaved Africans as a homage to their ancestors. Alongside these cultural celebrations, is the Montserrat Carnival, an annual event full of music, dance, pageants, and parades. Montserrat is part of CARICOM, an organization of fifteen Caribbean countries and five Associated States that promote common goals, policies, and union.
Language(s): English, Montserrat English creole
Capital: Plymouth (abandoned in 1997 due to active volcanic activity).
Brades Estate serves at the de facto capital. Little Bay is the planned location for new capital.
National Anthem: The United Kingdom's "God Save the King," is the official national anthem.
"Motherland," written and composed by Sir Howard A. Fergus and J. A. George Irish, was selected as the national song in 2013.
Agriculture/Economy: Farming, tourism
Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (ECD) 1 = $0.37 USD
National Dish: Goat Water, a creamy stew made of goat meat, peppers, onions, rum, and herbs.
Image Credit: Canva and Wikimedia Commons
Beaches are common in the Caribbean, but one uncommon beach is known as Shell Beach in St. Bart's capital of Gustavia. Shell Beach sees an unusually high quantity of seashells that wash ashore on one of its pink sand beaches.
Language(s): French, English
Capital: Gustavia
National Anthem: France's "La Marseillaise" is the official national anthem.
"L'Hymne à St.-Barthélemy" is the regional song, written and composed by Isabelle Massart Déravin and Michael Valenti. It was adopted in 1999.
Agriculture/Economy: Luxury commerce, high-end tourism industries, high-income economy
Currency: 1 Euro (EUR) = $1.09 USD
National Dish: Fangui, a staple dish, is cornmeal served with blaff (fish) or goat
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Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a title bestowed on locations of cultural or architectural significance. On Nevis, mangoes are so popular, mango trees can be found in almost everyone's yard. There are forty-four varieties of mango on Nevis, alone. Saint Kitts and Nevis is part of CARICOM, an organization of fifteen Caribbean countries and five Associated States that promote common goals, policies, and union.
Language(s): English, Saint Kitts English creole
Capital: Basseterre, located on Saint Kitts
National Anthem: "O Land of Beauty", written and composed by Kenrick Georges, was adopted in 1983.
Agriculture/Economy: Tourism, telecommunications, financial services
Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (ECD) 1 = $0.37 USD
National Dish: Stewed fish, seasoned breadfruit, and coconut dumplings
Image Credit: Canva
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St. Martin is the smallest island in the world and shares the land with Sint Maarten. St. Martin, the northern part, is a French overseas territory, while Sint Maarten is a Dutch territory. Though the names are similar, the histories and cultures are more dependent on their respective governing countries. However, both countries share a bi-national anthem, in both French and Dutch.
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Language(s): French, English creole
Capital: Marigot
National Anthem: "O Sweet Saint Martin's Land" / "Saint-Martin, Si Jolie," written by Gerard Kemps in 1958.
Agriculture/Economy: Tourism, manufacturing
Currency: 1 Euro (EUR) = $1.09 USD
National Dish: Johnny Cakes (also known as Journey Cakes), a fried dough made of cornmeal and flour similar to pancakes; crab and rice, a dish made of rice and fresh crab fed mangoes, corn, and banana to sweeten the crab meet.
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The US Virgin Islands are made up of over fifty islands with St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas as the three major locations in the archipelago. In Estate Grove Place on St. Croix is a 250-year-old baobab tree. The original seedling was brought over to the island by enslaved West Africans during the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The tree currently stands 53 ft. tall with a trunk circumference of about 53 feet. The baobab tree is locally referred to as Guinea Tamarind or Guinea Almond.
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Language(s): English, Virgin Islands English creole, Dutch creole
Capital: Charlotte Amalie, located on St. Thomas
National Anthem: The Star Spangled Banner is the national anthem of U.S. Virgin Islands.
"Virgin Islands March" is the regional anthem, written and composed by Alton Adams and Sam Williams in the 1920s. It was formally adopted in 1963.
Agriculture/Economy: Tourism, Manufacturing, Trade services
Currency: United States Dollar (USD)
National Dish: Fish and Fungi, pronounced 'foon-jee', is a dish made of cornmeal and okra typically served with saltfish.
Image Credit: Canva
