The Caribbean

The Caribbean is a region made up of hundreds of islands in the Caribbean Sea. The islands stretch from near Florida down to the coast of South America. The Caribbean is famous for its warm weather, beautiful beaches, and colorful cultures. People from all over the world visit the Caribbean for vacation.

Land and People

About 44 million people live in the Caribbean islands. The largest islands are Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. Some islands are volcanic with tall mountains, while others are flat coral islands. The weather is tropical and warm all year round.

Culture and Fun Facts

The Caribbean is known for its music, including reggae from Jamaica, salsa from Cuba, and calypso from Trinidad. Many different languages are spoken, including English, Spanish, French, and Dutch. Caribbean food includes jerk chicken, rice and beans, and tropical fruits. Carnival celebrations are famous throughout the region.

Fun Facts

• The Caribbean has about 7,000 islands, but only about 2 percent of them are inhabited.
• Reggae music from Jamaica, created by artists like Bob Marley, became popular all over the world.
• The Caribbean Sea is home to the second largest coral reef in the world, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.

Did You Know?

The Caribbean Sea has about 7,000 islands, islets, reefs, and cays. Only about 2 percent of them have people living on them. The rest are tiny, uninhabited pieces of land.