Archæological evidence shows human habitation in the Caribbean for centuries before the arrival of Europeans. It was the 1492 arrival of Christopher Columbus in so-called the new world that initiated a great race for riches by Europeans. For the next 550 years, the Caribbean region would play a vital role in the economic history of the western world and, often, a tragic role in in the world's social history. Significant events, in the present, demonstrated by the recent changes in Cuba, the economic crisis in Puerto Rico, the earthquakes and subsequent turmoil in Haïti, and the climate-driven rise of sea levels that threaten the very existence of some island states, demonstrate the historical centrality and the cultural contributions of the region.
This Library guide will offer a starting point for those wishing to study the history and culture of the many and varied nations and territories that populate the Caribbean region.
Caribbean Region
The Caribbean region is made up of both independent countries and dependent territories which are divided into five geographical regions: The islands are located in the Greater Antilles; Lesser Antilles; North American Continental Shelf, or South America Continental Shelf. A few countries located on the mainland of Central and South America, are included in the Caribbean region for reasons of politics, history, or regional affiliation.
Listed here in alphabetical order are the nations and territories (governing nation is indicated in square brackets next to territorial names. Some islands are part of a group, which is indicated in parentheses. The locations within the Caribbean region are indicated in italics.
Some links to country information have bee added below. For more information about all countries and territories, select the 'Country Reports' tab
Anegada (British Virgin Islands, BVI) [UK] -Lesser Antilles
Anguilla [UK] -Lesser Antilles
Antigua and Barbuda -Lesser Antilles
Aruba -SA Continental Shelf
The Bahamas -NA Continental Shelf
Barbados -Lesser Antilles
Belize -Mainland, Central America
Bonaire [Netherlands] -SA Continental Shelf
Cayman Islands [UK] -Greater Antilles
Cuba -Greater Antilles
Curaçao [Netherlands] -SA Continental Shelf
Dominica -Lesser Antilles
Dominican Republic -Greater Antilles
Gayane (France Outre Mer *) - Mainland South America
Grenada -Lesser Antilles
Guadeloupe [France Outre Mer] -Lesser Antilles
Guyana** -Mainland South America
Haïti -Greater Antilles
Jamaica -Greater Antilles
Jost Van Dyke (BVI) [UK] -Lesser Antilles
Martinique [France outre mer] -Lesser Antilles
Montserrat [UK] -Lesser Antilles
Puerto Rico [USA] -Greater Antilles
Saba [Netherlands] -Lesser Antilles
Saint Barthélemy (France Outre Mer *) -Lesser Antilles
Saint. Croix (USVI) [USA] -Lesser Antilles
Saint. John (USVI) [USA] -Lesser Antilles
Saint Kitts and Nevis -Lesser Antilles
Saint. Lucia -Lesser Antilles
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines -Lesser Antilles
Saint Martin (France Outre Mer *) -Lesser Antilles
Saint. Thomas (UVI) -Lesser Antilles
Sint Eustatius [Netherlands] -Lesser Antilles
Sint Maarten [Netherlands] -Lesser Antilles
Suriname -Mainland South America
Tortola (BVI) [UK] -Lesser Antilles
Trinidad & Tobago - SA Continental Shelf
Turks and Caicos Islands [UK] -NA Continental Shelf
Virgin Gorda (BVI) [UK] -Lesser Antilles
Water Island (USVI) [USA] - Lesser Antilles
* Citizens of the Outre Mer regions are French citizens and these regions are considered part of France.
** Guyana was formerly British Guiana.
LESSER ANTILLES
Anegada (British Virgin Islands, BVI) [UK]
Saint Barthélemy (France Outre Mer *)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Martin (France Outre Mer *)
* Citizens of the Outre Mer regions are French citizens and these regions are considered part of France.
SOUTH AMERICAN CONTINENTAL SHELF