Just How Big is the Caribbean Anyway?!

When people talk about the Caribbean, do you just think of The Bahamas??  There are only 700 islands that make up The Bahamas.  Only 700 you say??  Well, there are about 7,000 islands in the Caribbean region.  Here is a map for a geography lesson:

The Caribbean region includes The Bahamas, Bermuda (both of which are technically in the Atlantic!), west to the coast of Mexico and all the way down  the coast of Central and South America!  There is no "one Caribbean".  The regions are divided into several geographical areas based on climate and location. Below is a list of named islands/areas popular with visitors:

     *Atlantic Region: Bermuda, The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos.  The Turks & Caicos are actually at the end of the string of Bahamas but they are their own political entity.

     *The Northern Caribbean: Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands and Hispaniola.  Hispaniola is divided into 2 separate countries: Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

     *The Eastern Caribbean-Leeward Islands: St. Martin/Sint Maarten (one side is French and the other is Dutch!), Anguilla, St. Barthelemy, St. Eustatius, Saba, Antigua, Barduda, St. Kitts, Nevis and Montserrat. This last island has an active volcano on it!

     *The Eastern Caribbean-Windward Islands: Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and Barbados. Barbados is actually far out in the Atlantic, southeast of St Lucia but we consider it part of the Caribbean.

     *Southern Caribbean: Trinidad & Tobago, Margarita Island, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.

     *The Western Caribbean & The Coast of Latin America: Cuba, Cancun, Cozumel, Belize, the Bay Islands of Honduras, San Blas Island of Panama, Cartagena & San Andres in Columbia and Caracas and Margarita Island in Venezuela.

Bet you didn't think of Venezuela being in the Caribbean?!  The region is so large and diverse geographically and culturally!  If you were to say to me, "I want to go to the Caribbean!"  I would first have a little giggle inside, then I would ask you a series of questions to narrow down which part! For example, do you want to go lie on a beach all day and do absolutely nothing or do you want to explore nature, scuba dive, hike, learn about the local culture?  If you want to lie on a beach all day, I am going to send you to Anquilla because they have some of the most idyllic beaches in the world! If you are an avid Scuba Diver, I will send you to either Belize or Bonaire.  Nature your thing?  Then you will be visiting the island of Dominica or Guadeloupe!  Would you like to immerse yourself in the culture?  Carnival Celebrations in Trinidad & Tobago are not to be missed!

Now do you understand why I would have a giggle first then ask you question after question after question?!  The diversity of culture, language, geography and climate is amazing. No matter which island or area you choose, you will most likely be seeing this:

Would you like to see this?

I can help make it happen for you!  Just prepare yourself for the giggle and the questions!

Happy Travels!!