Defining The Caribbean

Objectives of this Lesson

1. Identify and describe the five means by

which the Caribbean is defined.

2. Show how these definitions impact the

people of the region.
 How would you define
the Caribbean?

The Caribbean
1. Geological Definition of the Caribbean
 Geological Caribbean
The Geological Caribbean is not widely used as a
means of defining the region. It however shows
that there are deep seated structural features
which identify commonalities. It is defined by
the Caribbean Plate and experiences similar
tectonic, seismic and volcanic features and
processes.
The Caribbean is situated in a geologic feature known
as the Caribbean Plate which has boundaries or
margins with other plates nearby. A plate is a large
piece of crust (on which there may be both land and
ocean) and it moves in relation to other plates. On the
whole the earth is made up of six or seven plates and
many smaller ones. The Caribbean Plate is a small
plate.
The Caribbean falls between the north and
South American and the Coco Plates
 Geological commonalities
1. Earthquakes – the region is in a known
earthquake zone.
2. Hurricane – the region experiences
hurricanes yearly from June 1 – Nov. 30
3. Volcanic activities – especially in the Lesser
Antilles (the basis of their formation)
2. The Geographical Caribbean
This describes the area washed by the
Caribbean Sea and is often described as the
Caribbean Basin
 The Geographical Caribbean

It would therefore include most of the islands of

the Lesser and Greater Antilles as well as the
mainland territories of Central America and
Northern South America such as Venezuela and
Columbia.
 Geographical Definition
• Geographically the Caribbean is defined as the land
area which has its coastline washed by the Caribbean
Sea
• This would mean that the Greater and Lesser Antilles,
the Cayman Islands and the islands of the Netherland
Antilles all belong to the Caribbean. By this definition
Turks and Caicos Islands, Barbados, Bermuda and the
Bahamas would however be excluded from the
Caribbean. It would also include Belize, Colombia,
Venezuela, Costa Rico; Panama, Nicaragua and
Honduras and exclude the mainland territories of
Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana
Red Marks The Spot
 The Historical Caribbean
This describe the area that saw the impact of
European colonization, slavery, indentureship and the
plantation system. This refers to all the territories, so
that one means by which we can define the Caribbean
is by identifying those countries that experienced the
rule of specific European countries, namely the
English, French, Dutch and the Spanish. The common
feature in this definition is that they share the same
historical or cultural experiences.
LEGEND

ENGLISH

SPANISH

FRENCH

DUTCH
 The legend indicates the territories that
were under the control of the various
European powers. It should be noted that
Guyana (which was first under Dutch control,
then English), Surinam (which was under
Dutch control) and French Guiana (which is
STILL under French control) are not
represented in the previous slide. They are a
part of the Caribbean because they share
the same historical/cultural experiences as
all those which are represented.
 The Political Caribbean
The Caribbean has three main government systems,
namely:
Independent States – these are former colonies
which are now self-governing. These are islands
which have chosen a method of governance that
is different from that of their colonial masters,
namely democracy or communism;
 The Political Caribbean
Associated States – these are territories which
are not independent but enjoy all the rights and
privileges of the country that governs it;

Colonial Dependencies – these ate territories

which are directly governed by other countries
but do not enjoy the rights and privileges that’s
enjoyed by inhabitants in an Associated State.
 Political Caribbean
• In terms of political arrangements, Cuba has a
communist system, Puerto Rico is annexed to the
USA, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago are
republics.
• The rest of the British W.I still hold to the British
traditional form of government, based on the
Westminster-Whitehall model.
• By and large the Caribbean has a rich post
colonial democratic tradition with a few
exceptions of Cuba, Dominican Republic and Haiti
 LEGEND
Independent
States

Associated
State

Colonial
Territories
 The Diasporic Caribbean
• — Diaspora comes from a Greek word meaning
disperse.
• — Diaspora literally means the dispersion of
something that was initially localised e.g. people,
language and culture.
• — Also refers to the spread of groups of people
from their native land to regions outside their
original locales. Diasporically the Caribbean
maybe defined as people of Caribbean origin and
heritage that resides outside of the Caribbean.
 The Diasporic Caribbean
• Some of the common features shared by diasporas
include traits such that the group:
• Keeps a collective memory of their homeland.
• Considers the ancestral homeland as their “true
home”.
• Holds a strong desire and intent to eventually return
home.
• Is committed to restoring and maintaining their
homeland with support of all kinds – using what they
gain from their adopted land to benefit those still
leaving back home.
• Relates to the homeland in ways that shape their
overall identity
 The Diasporic Caribbean
• The modern Caribbean Diaspora is also unique.
The people leaving the countries of the Caribbean
region today are part of a much higher educated
group, leaving many times with specific purposes
(education, training, etc.) and, when they return,
bring back new and valuable skills and
knowledge. True to the definition of a Diaspora,
they maintain their own individuality as a culture
wherever they go. They are also deeply
committed to sending support to their
homelands in the Caribbean to improve the
conditions there.
 Problems defining the Caribbean
Geographical Historical Geological
1 Guyana and the The “problem” with The western edge of the
Bahamas do not have defining the “Caribbean” Caribbean Plate is located
coastlines on the according to linguistic or in the Pacific and includes
Caribbean Sea. Yet both European heritage, is Honduras, Costa Rica,
countries are commonly that, that tends to ignore Nicaragua and Panama in
accepted as part of the the commonalities of the Caribbean.
Caribbean Caribbean experience at
the hands of these
colonial powers.

2 This definition includes This definition would This definition would

countries not normally include Guyana and the include Guyana and the
associated with the Bahamas. It should also Bahamas. It should also
“Caribbean” – Panama, include the French, Dutch include the French, Dutch
Columbia and the other and Spanish speaking and Spanish speaking
countries of Central countries of the countries of the
America. Caribbean and Central Caribbean and Central
America. America.
 Location of the Caribbean
• Greater Antilles: Cuba, Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic),
Jamaica, Puerto Rico
• Lesser Antilles:
• Windward islands: Grenada, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Guadeloupe,
Dominica, Martinique
• Leeward islands: Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts-Nevis, Montserrat,
Anguilla, Virgin islands
• Netherland Antilles: Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao (ABC"islands); Saint
Marten,
• Saba, St. Eustatius
• Mainland Territories: Guyana, Belize, Suriname, Cayenne (French
Guyana)
• Others: Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Cayman Islands, Bahama
Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands