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Music makes a good introduction for the Caribbean islands. Reggae and Latin music play across some 7000 islands. The language on these islands is also diverse: West African, French, Spanish, English, and a few native dialects. Many of the islands have been colonies of former empires. The region was named after the Carib, an Indian tribe that lived in some parts of South America and the Lesser Antilles. Caribbean people are called "West Indian" in the United Kingdom.
The Caribbean culture is a strange blend. It is the sum of all foreign influences laced with ethnic flavor. This is what makes the region an easy choice for travelers. Tourists go to the Caribbean islands for their tropical beach resorts. Tropical fruits of all kinds are sold almost everywhere. European visitors are assured a warm welcome because Caribbean locals are able to speak their language back home. 
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Surfing, sailing, and diving are popular sports in the Caribbean. Jamaican surfing, in particular, is gaining popularity in the United States. Aside from the spell of Jamaican music, tourists visit Jamaica for its falls and ruins at the Ocho Rios Fort. There are also perfect sites for snorkeling, fishing, and idling in Martinique. Some small islands, in fact, are owned by the rich and famous. David Copperfield owns an island in the Bahamas.
It is believed that tourism is taking a toll on the environment. There seems to be a limit to how much infrastructure the islands can hold. But the popularity of the islands is just too strong to resist. |
Bahamas
The Bahamas stand out as a true paradise among the islands that make up the Caribbean. Just southeast of Florida in the United States, and north of Cuba, this jewel of the Atlantic is an island chain consisting of 29 islands, 661 cays, and 2,387 rocks, that make up almost 14,000 kilometers of pure blue tropical waters and pristine beaches. The aptly named Paradise Island comprises the best-known tourist destinations, with challenging golf courses, white sand beaches that nearly encompass the island, and some of the grandest, most sought after five star hotels available.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is situated on the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola and is about double the size of New Hampshire. Hispaniola is roughly near the center of the West Indies, a cluster of islands that extend from Florida to Venezuela. To the north of Hispaniola is the Atlantic Ocean; to the south, the Caribbean Sea; to the east, Puerto Rico; and to the west, Cuba. The Dominican Republic is a familiar tourist destination, with glorious-white beaches, gorgeous landscapes, and rhythmic sounds of Latin American music.
Martinique
With a population in excess of 420,000 people and an area a little over the size of Washington D.C., many visit this Caribbean island on their honeymoon, or just to enjoy spending time at the various exclusive resorts. Some like to sunbathe on Martinique's famous white sandy beaches and snorkel in its clear sparkling waters. Others like to go for boat rides or simply swim in the lukewarm waters around the island.
Grenada
Grenada is an island and sovereign state made up of Grenada and six smaller islands in the Caribbean Sea. It is just off the coast of South America, northwest of Trinidad and Tobago, northeast of Venezuela and southwest of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The capital city is St. George's, located on the southwest coast of the Island. Grenada is the world's second largest nutmeg producer, and the national bird is the Grenada Dove, now endangered. Grenada's head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, and the Prime Minister is Tillman Thomas.
Aruba
When people dream of getting away from it all and escaping to a place of endless peace and beauty, they think of Aruba. Surrounded by blue green water and sandy white beaches, Aruba is the vacation destination for people looking for a little slice of heaven on earth. Together with Curacao and Bonaire, Aruba makes up the Netherlands Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea called the ABC islands. First inhabited by a peace loving tribe, the warm spirit of caring and friendliness that the people of Aruba shows towards others is what draws visitors to the island again and again.
Guadeloupe
Enjoy life in the islands of Guadeloupe, a tropical Caribbean paradise located at the arc of the Leeward group of islands, in the eastern part of the Caribbean Sea. It is an overseas department of France and is therefore a part of the French Republic. The island is approximately 4515 miles from Paris and about 1910 miles from New York. It is known as the butterfly island for the shape of its twin islands, Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre. On the eastern wing of the butterfly island lays Grande-Terre, which is famous for its white sand beaches, resorts, sugarcane fields, royal palms, and museums.
Cuba
Cuba is an island in the Caribbean Sea, consisting one island and several archipelagos. It is a very isolated country due to its politics and continued disputes with its large neighbor, the United States. It is the largest island of the West Indies group of islands and also the westernmost. It is just 90 miles from the Key West in Florida at the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico. Cuba was the center of the Communist revolution that took place in many countries in South America and Africa, and this entailed a lot of support from the USSR, including large financial subsidies.
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles situated in the Caribbean Sea, about 90 miles south of Cuba, and 120 miles west of Haiti. With some of the most beautiful natural scenery anywhere in the islands, and one of the largest natural harbors in the world, Jamaica is one of the most frequented tourist attractions in the Caribbean. Formerly a Spanish held possession known as Santiago, the island later became a possession of the British Crown and was renamed Jamaica. It remains a British Commonwealth, with Queen Elizabeth as the head of state, and Kingston the capitol.
St. Vincent
St. Vincent is one of the largest islands in the chain referred to as St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This volcanic island is located in the Caribbean Sea midway between St. Lucia and Grenada, and part of the Windward Island Group. The capital and main town is Kingstown. St. Vincent Island has a unique natural beauty of its own, yet to be discovered by many tourists, making this an ideal vacation place for those who love serenity and want to enjoy the spectacular views of mountains and lush green tropical valleys, cascading waterfalls, rivers, and beautiful beaches.
Barbados
Just east of the Caribbean Sea is the West Indian island nation of Barbados, in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean. Bridgetown is the capital. Queen Elizabeth is still acknowledged as the head of state after more than three centuries as a colony. It is considered a part of the Lesser Antilles and has Martinique, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent as its nearest neighbors. It is north of the Trinidad and Tobago nation with which it shares an official maritime boundary.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico, the eastern most tropical island of the Greater Antilles, is located between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, to the east of Dominican Republic and to the west of U.S Virgin Islands. The metropolitan capital city of Puerto Rico is San Juan. This exotic vacation spot can be easily reached via plane or cruise ship. The awesome beauty of this island, with natural breathtaking scenery, makes this one of the most popular vacation destination for travelers.
Dominican
Whether you stop overnight on a cruise ship or you stay on the island itself, Dominica is a vacation spot you won't want to miss. The scenery is breathtaking, with beautiful ocean views, sandy beaches, and lush tropical vegetation. Perhaps you'll get there for the World Creole Music Festival during the first weekend in October, or perhaps you'll arrive in time to see the cricket matches. You may enjoy scuba diving or just swimming in the emerald waters.
Bermuda
The Bermuda islands, located off the east coast of the United States, are the northern-most islands in the Caribbean, approximately 1,100 miles northeast of Miami, Florida, and only 640 miles from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
The oldest remaining British overseas territory, Bermuda boasts an abundance of natural and man-made attractions that make it a popular tourist attraction for visitors from both the United States and a large portion of the UK and Europe . 
British Virgin
British Virgin Islands are a British overseas territory, located about 50 miles east of Puerto Rico, and northeast of US Virgin Islands. The islands and cays that comprise the British Virgin Islands are clustered around the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Often referred to as "Nature's Little Secrets", these islands offer pristine beaches, several unspoiled anchorages, and exotic fauna and flora. The site is great for yachting, and is known as one of the best and safest sailing destinations in the world, with its consistent trade winds, nice weather, and a variety of isolated and fascinating bays to visit.
Montserrat
The beautiful island of Montserrat, the "Emerald Isle of the West," is a popular spot for tourists, destination weddings, and honeymoons. It's also a draw for people interested in volcanoes, with an active volcano right on the island. From Jack Bay Hill you can view the former capital of Plymouth, now known as the modern Pompeii. It is completely covered in volcanic ash from the eruptions of the Soufriere Hills volcano that began in 1995.
Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands are a British overseas territory, situated in the pristine waters of the western Caribbean Sea, 150 miles south of Cuba. The territory comprises three main islands. The largest and most developed is Grand Cayman, with a population of about 35,000, is 22 miles long and 8 miles at its widest point. It stands 90 miles from Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, which are separated by only 5 miles. Cayman Brac, the second-largest island, is 12 miles long and 1 mile at its widest spot, with 1,600 inhabitants.
Netherlands Antilles
Part of the Lesser Antilles, and consisting of two groups of islands, the Netherlands Antilles is situated in the Caribbean Sea, with the first part of the chain consisting of the islands of Bonaire and Curacao, just off the coast of Venezuela. The second portion of the island chain includes Saint Maarten, Saint Eustatius and Saba, located southeast of the Virgin Islands. The Netherlands Antilles islands form an independent portion of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In October 2010, the five constituent islands are scheduled to be dissolved and will be given new constitutional standing in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Haiti
People who are planning to take a holiday in the Caribbean may not always consider a trip to Haiti, but they may be missing a lot in terms of fun and experience. Haiti is an interesting destination with beautiful landscapes, scenic beaches and friendly locals. The island is known for its bright colors, lively music, exciting art scene, and historical sites. With so much potential, Haiti has become the Caribbean's little secret getaway for tourists who have discovered its unique beauty and charm.
Anguilla
The British overseas territory of Anguilla is located in the northern portion of the Lesser Antilles. The capital city of Anguilla is The Valley, considered to be the main town on the island. Anguilla is about sixteen miles long, and at the narrowest part of the island, it's about three miles wide. Anguilla is also connected to several very small islands and cays that have no permanent population. The city of The Valley has a population of about twelve hundred people. Anguilla is known for its coral reefs, a spectacular site to see.
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An island nation situated in the east of the Caribbean Sea, east-southeast of Puerto Rico, and off the coast of South America, Antigua and Barbuda, which literally means "Ancient" and "Bearded, is one of the most prosperous nations in the Caribbean and on of the top tourist destinations in the world. Its tropical climate and white pristine beaches have made the country a favorite stop-off point for cruise ships, drawing travelers from around the world as well as businessmen investing in the country. As a major tourist hub, visitors can find beautiful beaches and water sports centers in the Islands, and an abundance of exclusive luxury hotels and resorts. In addition to that, the country's annual Antigua Sailing Week attracts both locals and sportsmen from all over the world.
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