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Caribbean Geography . Mr. Langford’s Class. Overview. Learn about leading island nations Learn about island locations Learn about some of the cultural aspects of these important nations Learn about some of the colonial mother’s. The Caribbean . An area that includes over 7,000 islands
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Caribbean Geography Mr. Langford’s Class
Overview • Learn about leading island nations • Learn about island locations • Learn about some of the cultural aspects of these important nations • Learn about some of the colonial mother’s
The Caribbean • An area that includes over 7,000 islands • Completely influenced by outsiders • Volcano made • Coral made • Some of the greatest coral formations in the world • Also known as the West Indies--why?
Lesser Antilles • Islands that are smaller than Puerto Rico • Mostly south of Puerto Rico • Stretches from the Bahamas to Trinidad & Tobago
Greater Antilles • Four largest islands • Jamaica, Hispaniola, Cuba and Puerto Rico • Located southeast of Florida • Generally located close to each
Windward Islands • Islands located closer to South America • Form the bottom half of the crescent • Tend to get more wind because of the wind patterns from the equator
Leeward Islands • Upper part of the crescent • Name comes from a sailing term that equates to the opposite side of the boat that receives the wind • NOTE: All islands gets a breeze but these islands do not get as strong as a breeze than the Windward, typically
Colonial Influences • Who landed in this area in 1492? • Many countries decided to conquer these lands for what purpose? • What countries were interested in the Caribbean area?
Spain • The leader in colonization of the Caribbean • Started as a mission for Catholicism and gold • Claimed the larger islands--why? • What was to be claimed in these areas? • Killed many natives and placed thousands into servitude--what the main killer of the natives Great Biological Exchange
England • The newest colonial power • Wanted to challenge Spain in all area of the world • Exploited natives for labor • One of the first to bring slaves • Dominated sugar business
France • More of a follower into this region • Wanted to investigate possibilities • Also imposed Catholicism on the people • Made many deals with Spain to gain land--Hispaniola • Brought many slaves to the region
The Dutch • Smallest of the conquerors • Kept colonies longer than the rest • Gave more independence than the others • Considered to be one of the best colonizers
Cuba • Communist government--Fidel Castro • Guantanamo Bay--U.S. base • Havana--capital and American play land before revolution • Seen of the Spanish-American War--Rough Riders • Long island--Biggest of the ___________
Jamaica • Newest economy is tourism • Has rich mineral deposits • Language-Petoi--a mix of French and Native • Has a great contrast of rich and poor • Center of island has a mountain range
Haiti • 1/2 owner of Hispaniola • Predominately French influence • Very poor • Underdeveloped • Coup d’etat occur often
Dominican Republic • Home of Sammy Sosa • Also a poor country • Influenced by Spain • One of the countries with the most promise • !/2 owner of what island?
Puerto Rico • Smallest of the Greater Antilles • A U.S. territory • Has many rights of the United States • Influenced by Spain, then United States • Tourism is the main economy
The Caymans • Series of islands make up this country • British protectorate • Tourism main source of income • Includes many banks--”offshore” • Home of “The Wall” and “Stingray City” • Is this good or bad?
Bahamas • Also a series of islands • British protectorate • Play land of the U.S. in the 70’s • Now, many casinos and hotels dot the shore • What is their number one source of income?
Some unique aspects • St. Martin and St. Maarten--same island split in half, what is the influence • Some islands are privately owned--companies or individuals • The region is home to thousands of species • Why?