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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 Lesser Antilles are a group of islands located in the southeastern region of the Caribbean Sea. Seven countries make up the Windward 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.
Bridgetown, Barbados is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a title bestowed on locations of cultural or architectural significance. Barbadians are colloquially called Bajans (pronounced 'bay-juhns'). The citrus fruit, grapefruit, originated in Barbados. It is also part of CARICOM, an organization of fifteen Caribbean countries and five Associated States that promote common goals, policies, and union.
Language(s): English, Bajan English patois
Capital: Bridgetown
National Anthem: "In Plenty and In Time of Need", was composed by with lyrics C. Van Roland Edwards and written by Irving Burgie. It was adopted in 1966.
Agriculture/Economy: Agriculture, tourism, manufacturing. Barbados is the largest economy in the Eastern Caribbean.
Currency: Barbadian Dollar (BBD) 1 = $0.50 USD
National Dish: Cou-Cou and Flying Fish, a dish made of cou-cou (cornmeal and okra) similar to grits and steamed flying fish
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The Blue, Beautiful World by 
On Dominica (pronounced Dom-in-eek-uh), Morne Trois Pitons National Park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, aa title bestowed on locations of cultural or architectural significance. In the National Park is the world's second largest boiling lake. Dominica is part of CARICOM, an organization of fifteen Caribbean countries and five Associated States that promote common goals, policies, and union.
Language(s): English, Dominican French creole
Capital: Roseau
National Anthem: "Isle of Beauty, Isle of Splendour", written by Wilfred Oscar Morgan Pond and composed by Lemuel McPherson Christian OBE. It was first adopted in 1967 when Dominica gained statehood. It was again named as the national anthem after the country gained independence in 1978.
Agriculture/Economy: Agriculture, tourism, manufacturing
Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (ECD) 1 = $0.37 USD
National Dish: Since 2013 Callaloo, a hearty vegetable soup with a coconut milk base. Prior to 2013, Mountain Chicken (though named Mountain Chicken, it is a frog) was the national dish. Due to near extinction of the amphibian, the dish was changed.
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Good Morning, Midnight by 
The volcanoes and forests of Mount Pelée and the Pitons of Northern Martinique are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a title bestowed on locations of cultural or architectural significance. Coffee made it to the Americas via one seedling taken from King Louis XIV's coffee plant in the Royal Botanical Garden. The seedling was planted on Martinique. All coffee trees in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America stem from this seedling.
Language(s): French, Martinican French creole
Capital: Fort-de-France
National Anthem: France's "La Marseillaise" is the official national anthem.
"Ansanm" was selected as the regional anthem in 2023.
Agriculture/Economy: Agriculture, tourism, manufacturing
Currency: Euro (EUR) 1 = $1.10 USD
National Dish: Grilled Snapper with Sauce Chien, which is grilled fish served with a sauce made of chives, onion, parsley, garlic and chilies.
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Slave Old Man by 
St. Lucia is the first country to be named after a woman, St. Lucy. The Piton Mountains (Gros Piton and Petit Piton) are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a title bestowed on locations of cultural or architectural significance. Saint Lucia is also part of CARICOM, an organization of fifteen Caribbean countries and five Associated States that promote common goals, policies, and union.
Language(s): English, Saint Lucian French patois
Capital: Castries
National Anthem: "Sons and Daughters of Saint Lucia" written by Charles Jesse and composed by Leton Felix Thomas. The anthem was adapted in 1979.
Agriculture/Economy: Agriculture, tourism, manufacturing
Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (ECD) 1 = $0.37 USD
National Dish: Green Banana and Saltfish, which is boiled green bananas (figs) and salted cod that is sauteed with onions and peppers.
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Tiepolo's Hound by 
Saint Vincent holds an annual Breadfruit Festival. Brought to the West Indies from the Pacific, breadfruit (also called panapén or buen pan) was originally cultivated as a cheap source of food for the enslaved population, breadfruit is a food staple in many Caribbean countries. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is part of CARICOM, an organization of fifteen Caribbean countries and five Associated States that promote common goals, policies, and union.
Language(s): English, Vincentian English creole, French patois
Capital: Kingstown, located on Saint Vincent
National Anthem: "Saint Vincent, Land So Beautiful"
Agriculture/Economy: Agriculture, tourism, manufacturing
Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (ECD) 1 = $0.37 USD
National Dish: Fried jackfish and Breadfruit, which is made with fried fish and fried breadfruit. Served with a sauce made of ketchup, pepper, and spices.
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Carnival, the annual celebration of Caribbean culture hosted around the world, began on Trinidad in 1833. The steelpan, made out of oil drums, was invented on Trinidad and Tobago in the 1930s and is the country's national instrument. Trinidad and Tobago is part of CARICOM, an organization of fifteen Caribbean countries and five Associated States that promote common goals, policies, and union.
Language(s): English, English creole
Capital: Port of Spain, located on Trinidad
National Anthem: Forged From the Love of Liberty
Agriculture/Economy: Hydrocarbon export, tourism, finance
Currency: 1 Trinidad and Tobago Dollar (TTD) = $0.15 USD
National Dish: Callaloo, which is a thick soup made of dasheen leaves, herbs, and spices. It can be served with crab, rice and peas, or dumplings.
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Golden Child by 
History of the People of Trinidad and Tobago by 
In 2006, Grenada installed Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park, created to preserve the coral reefs. Among the sculptures are Vicissitudes, a group of children from different countries holding hands in a circle looking outward, Caribbean folklore character -- La Diablesse, and the Lost Correspondent. Grenada is part of CARICOM, an organization of fifteen Caribbean countries and five Associated States that promote common goals, policies, and union.
Language(s): English, English creole, Grenadian French creole
Capital: Saint George's
National Anthem: "Hail, Grenada" was written by Irva Merle Baptiste-Blackett MBE and composed by Louis Arnold Masanto. It was adopted in 1974, replacing the old anthem.
Agriculture/Economy: Agriculture, tourism, call center operations, construction
Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (ECD) 1 = $0.37 USD
National Dish: Oil Down, a stew made of breadfruit, dasheen, dumplings, vegetables, chicken, and salted meats.
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