The Caribbean islands were originally inhabited by indigenous peoples, including the Carib and the Arawak. In the 15th century, Europeans began to colonize the islands, with the Spanish, British, French, and Dutch establishing colonies throughout the region. The islands played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade, with millions of Africans brought to the region to work on sugar plantations. Today, the Caribbean islands are independent nations, with a fascinating history and extensive cultural heritage.
The Caribbean is a very special region that is made up of over 7,000 islands over 28 nations. Consisting of islands and coastal countries surrounding the Caribbean Sea as well as islets, reefs and caves. Yet only around 2% of the islands in the Caribbean are inhabited by people. The nation of Bahamas itself includes about 700 islands. The largest island measuring 109,884 square kilometers (42,426 square miles) belong to Cuba. The Caribbean is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by archipelagoes forming an arc shape. Although it is part of the Atlantic Ocean but there is a marked visual difference between where the two bodies of the water meet. The Caribbean Seas is light turquoise in color while the Atlantic Ocean is a striking Marine blue.
Due to its tropical climate the Caribbean is home to a diverse flora and fauna. There are 13,000 species of plants of which approximately 6,500 are endemic to the region. There are at least 1,000 documented species of animals in this body of water, including 90 species of mammals such as the manatee which is currently endangered and one mammal that is most likely extinct that is the Caribbean monk seal. It is the deepest sea in the world with an average dept of 22,788 ft (6,946 meters). The only bodies of water that are deeper ae the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean. Its deepest point, the Cayman through measures 7,686 meters (25,220 feet) below sea level. Located between Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, the Through is one of the lowest places on earth. Furthermore, the Caribbean Sea is one of the world's largest, measuring 1,063,00 square miles (2,754,000 square kilometers).
The temperature of the Caribbean climate makes it ideal for vacationers it stays around 81 F (27 C) all year round. Making the Caribbean the most visited holiday destinations in the world. It should not be a surprise to any of us as it has so many different places to see and things to do. Added to that, the region is breathtakingly beautiful with a rich history, diverse cultures, and unique ecological features. The Caribbean people have a more relaxing mentality and let it all wash over you as they say.
The islands of the Caribbean are typically sorted into three distinct groups: The Greater Antilles, the Lucayan Archipelago, and the Lesser Antilles.
