Unique in their geographical and historical features, the Caribbean is a giant Antilles archipelago, which is entrenched between two large continents - North and South America. Uninhabited islands and vast areas of land, a riot of greenery and desert sandy expanses became the basis for the development of a new culture and new customs here. The Caribbean countries were discovered about five hundred years ago, and since then they have often been called the West Indies. It combines the cultures of various peoples of the world, their customs and languages.
Region position
Very close to the equator, but still in the Northern Hemisphere is the Caribbean Sea. It is considered one of the most beautiful in the world due to its genuine turquoise color and the richest flora and fauna. Its waters are protected from the Atlantic by the Antilles, among which there are large and small ones. The first category includes Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti and Puerto Rico. The second includes the bright and noisy Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, allsmall lands that are included in the Dominican Republic, the island of Curacao, Barbados, Aruba and many other "little things". It is on these lands that the countries of the Caribbean are located. We will list them below, and also consider their proximity to the mainland.
List of states washed by the Caribbean Sea
In the northern part of the waters, near the Gulf Stream, the famous Bahamas are located. For a long time this place has become synonymous with luxury holidays, warm sea and vivid impressions. Below is the largest island of the region - Cuba. Local customs are a synthesis of communism and the latest developments in tourist infrastructure.
Slightly to the south is another famous resort area - the Dominican Republic. It occupies the large island of Haiti, as well as small islands adjacent to it. Local landscapes are marked by exotic plants and original fauna. The Dominican Republic is surrounded by Jamaica and Puerto Rico. These are two small states, where a real tropical paradise is also provided to all tourists.
Below, closer to the south, are small islands: Guadeloupe, Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia. And the Caribbean countries that have close proximity to the southern mainland are Curacao and Aruba.
Tourism in the Caribbean
Perhaps, this is one of the few places on Earth where people from all over the world come to relax. And this is not surprising, because here the sea is equally warm all year round, hotsun, lots of tropical greenery. In addition, local customs, incendiary dances, parties, communication will make your holiday bright and unforgettable. The Caribbean countries have a similar culture in many respects, but still different in some aspects. For example, Barbados is the personification of the English classics. British traditions are honored here, they speak only English and receive tourists in the same way as it is customary to do in London. Aruba is next to Colombia. Mostly residents of South America come here to relax - Argentina, Brazil, Chile. Therefore, a more “Latinized” way of life has been formed here.
What to eat in this summer paradise?
Thousands of islands that have been inhabited for five hundred years by residents from all over the world have absorbed many culinary traditions. Caribbean cuisine includes recipes from local Indians, Spaniards, French, British, Indians, Africans, Arabs, and even Chinese. Pork, beef, vegetables and fruits familiar to us came here from Europe. Africans brought kalau, aki and bambia to the Central American region, as well as several of their national dishes. From the East, the Antilles were supplied with rice, which today is eaten in almost all of Latin America. Of course, this synthesis was complemented by local products - potatoes, corn, tropical fruits and beans. Thanks to this, the culinary assortment of the whole world was updated, and new recipes began to appear in the books of hostesses. However, it is impossible to generalize about any onea national dish served in restaurants throughout the region. Each tiny country has its own culinary speci alties.
Dishes from different Antilles
Now let's look at exactly what recipes you can borrow for yourself by visiting the Caribbean. The Dominican Republic is one of the most popular resorts in this natural area. Local fruits and meats are popular here. The national dish is Bandera, which is made from meat, bananas and beans. In Jamaica, people enjoy the taste of meat, fish and citrus fruits. It is on the basis of these products that S altfish and Aki are prepared, as well as the famous local pies Juicy Patis. But in Barbados, fish and other seafood are at a premium. Drink local traditional dishes with rum. But a real paradise for lovers of everything marine is Aruba. Seaweed salads are prepared here, lobsters, king prawns and lobsters are served as appetizers.
Administrative features of the Antilles
In this region, there are about thirty island states that have their own symbols, laws and customs. Therefore, now we will consider in more detail which territorial units the Caribbean contains. Countries and capitals are both independent powers and territories that are provinces. Below is a list of the main ones:
- Cuba-Havana.
- Aruba - Orandjestad.
- Bahamas - Nassau.
- Barbados-Bridgetown.
- Guadeloupe - Basse-Terre.
- Dominican Republic - Roseau.
- Puerto Rico-San Juan.
- Jamaica-Kingston.
- Saint Lucia - Castries.
Conclusion
Countries located in the Caribbean are characterized by a consistently warm climate, hot sun and minimal rainfall. There is quite lush vegetation on most of the islands, only some of them are deserted. The unique nature, the originality of the local culture make this region different from all others that exist in Latin America.
