The Caribbean is a region that consists of the Caribbean Sea, its islands (some surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and some bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean), and the surrounding coasts. The region is southeast of the Gulf of Mexico and the North American mainland, east of Central America, and north of South America.
It is home to 40 million people,
Largest countries in Caribbean in size and population 5th largest country in North America
- Cuba 11.5 million $6,895 ($82 billion total)
-Home of Castro
– 62% Black
and 37% White
Many people are mixed.
Many Cubans left for America from 1960-1980
90% of Cuban Americans are White
Race Relations in or the Situation for Blacks is probably the best in Latin America.
– Home of Salsa
– Havana architecture,
old style cars
Interesting Facts about Cuba
1. Cuba Spends more of its GDP on education (13%) than any other country in the world, Cuba has one of the highest literacy rates in the world at 99.8%. It wiped out illiteracy in one year in 1961.
The education system is 100% subsidized by the government, meaning that Cuban students at all levels (including University) can attend school for free. Cuba has the best education system in Latin American and the Caribbean and the only country on the continent to have a high-level teaching faculty.
2. Cuba has the highest doctor to patient ratio in the world 1 out of 170 are doctors
Cuba has the highest life expectancy at 79, the lowest HIV prevalence in the Americas (.10) and one of the lowest in the world. As well as the lowest infant mortality rate. Global health issues such as HIV transmission from mother to child, which Cuba has virtually eliminated, and how to prevent the spread of diseases such as Ebola and dengue fever. Cuba makes most of it’s medicines. Cuba has also developed a drug to treat diabetic-foot patients, a treatment that has been around since 2007 but has yet to be tested in the U.S. Cuba guarantees every child up to 7 a healthy ration of milk, no matter how tough times are, the “exiles” claim 8-year-old kids aren’t “allowed” to drink milk. In fact, free meals are served in schools and on the job, and Cubans get at least enough subsidized food on the ration for one meal a day at home.
3. Cuba has the Best Cigars in the world
4. Cuba is the third most popular tourist destination in the Caribbean with 2 million tourists many tourists like to go to Varadero Beach
5. Cuba is home to Guantanamo Bay
The United States pays Cuba approximately $4,085 a year to lease the 45 square miles that the Guantánamo Bay Naval Station occupies. Cuba has not accepted the payment since 1959. It’s a good thing that nuclear war never happened, especially if you consider the fact that at its peak, Cuba had a deadly arsenal of 150 nuclear weapons.
6. Cuba has the lowest crime and murder rate in Latin America and the Caribbean and one of the lowest in the world. Especially since 1980 when Castro encouraged many of the immigrants to immigrate to the United States.
7. Cuba is an isolated country. Only 5% of the population of have internet, and as late as 1997 locals were not permitted to have contact with tourists.The communist government was worried that western ideas and values would infiltrate the country.
8. At least 92% of the population own their own home. The second highest in the world.
2. Haiti 10.9 million $758 ($9 billion)
Port Au Prince
Richest neighborhood – Petionville
Poorest neighborhood – Cite Soleil
– Second country in the Americas to become independent, most successful slave revolt
– Built the largest castle or fort in the Americas or Western Hemisphere. The only country in the Western Hemisphere to have defeated three colonial armies for its independence. The powerful armies of Spain, England and France.
–The Independence of Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela was a result of direct monetary and military help from Haiti to Simon Bolivar, the greatest Hispanic military leader of all time. By winning the Vertieres Battle on November 18th 1803, Haiti forced France to sell to the US, it’s Louisiana territory, doubling the size of the United States of America.Haiti supplied France for over half the wealth it derived from all its other colonies combined in the 18th century.
The Citadel in Cap Hatian is the largest fortress in The Americas
It is the Most Mountainous Country in the Carribbean
– Poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, More orphans than anywhere in Western Hemisphere, 10% High School Graduation rate, with only 53% literacy rate, 70% Unemployment rate. Even before the 2010 earthquake, only 54% of Haitians had access to sanitation facilities (toilets, indoor plumbing, sewer systems). Less than half had a regular source of safe drinking water. Only One Public University. Haiti has the highest incidence of HIV/AIDS in the Western Hemisphere at 2%. One in 50 people are infected. Haiti also has the worst epidemic of cholera in recent history, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.[3] After the 2010 earthquake, in little over two years, as of August 2013, it had killed at least 8,231 Haitians and hospitalized hundreds of thousands more while spreading to neighboring countries including the Dominican Republic and Cuba.[4] Since the outbreak began in October 2010, more than 6% of Haitians have had the disease.
Very few Haitians own cars: fewer than 5 out of 1,000. There is no railroad in Haiti. In the cities, people often take communal taxis and colorful public buses called “taptaps.
Most corrupt country in the Western Hemisphere.
Haiti received 13.5 billion dollars in foreign aid after the 2010 earthquake however not much has been done with it.
Only two firestations in the whole country. Haiti’s entire annual budget is $300 million with 40 percent of it coming from foreign aid, less than that of many small cities in the United States. Since the 1980s, its economy has shrunk steadily.More than 70 different dictators ruled Haiti between 1804-1915.
Haiti’s 1% own 50 percent of the economy
It is the most deforested country in the world.Only 2 % of the land is forested
It is most deforested country in the world.
– Home of Voodoo
3. Dominican Republic 10.8 million $5,600 ($62.5 billion total)
– Country with 2nd highest percentage of mixed race people in the world.
– Largest city in the Carribean- Santo Domingo
Standard of living
Santo Domingo
Average salary- $352.70 or $4,232.40 (Range $266.61-$444.35)
One bedroom Apartment outside downtown – $251.80 or $3,012.96 (Range$177.74-$333.26)
Richest neighborhood- 1. Los Cazicazgos 2. Piantini, Naco, Alameda, Arroyo Hondo, Bella Vista
Poorest neighborhood-Sabana Perdida, Cristo Rey, Los Minas, Barrio Capitullo, Simon Bolivar
Oldest Continuously inhabited European Settlement in the New World started in 1496. The city is 520 years old.
First Place to import Enslaved Black Africans in 1502
Fortaleza Ozama
Puerta Plata, Dominican Republic was also the First Place of British Involvement in Slavery
In April 1563, English slave trader, Sir John Hawkins, brought 400 people he had abducted from Sierra Leone. Hawkins traded his victims with the Spanish for pearls, hides and sugars, some gold. This was the start of British involvement in the trans-Atlantic slave trade,
Country with second highest rate of mixed race people in the world.
Tallest building in the Carribean Torre Caney 492 feet
Home to Popular Destinations like
Punta Cuna,
– Most popular tourist destination Puerta Plata,
Casa de Campo
Altos de Chavon
Beaches
Los Haitises, Semana Peninsula
Tallest Mountain in the Caribbean Pico Duarte
Largest Producer of Organic Bananas
One of largest Gold Mines in Western Hemisphere Pueblo Viejo
Largest Lake in the Caribbean Lake Enriquillo
-Only city in Carribean with subway system
– Caribeans most popular tourist destination with 5 milllion visitors
– Home of Meringue music and Bachata
– Sends more MLB players than any other country
4. Puerto Rico 4 million $28,509 ($105 billion)
– Only country in the Carribean that is not majority Black
– Mixture of three races
62% Mulatto or Multiracial, 18% White, 18% Black and 2% Asian
San Juan
Has the largest economy in the Caribbean at $105 billion
Average income – 2,203.50 or $26,442 (Range 1,200.00 3,000.00)
One bedroom outside of downtown- 512.50 or $6,150 (Range 400.00-650.00)
Richest neighborhood- Guaynabo
Poorest neighborhood – La Perla
– Part of the U.S
5. Jamaica 3 million $5,300 ($15.6 billion)
– Home of Bob Marley
Kingston
Average income 842.36 or $10,108.32 (Range $513.98-$1,327.79)
One Bedroom Outside downtown 299.82 or $3,597.(84 (Range $171.33-$513.98)
Richest neighborhood – The Golden Triangle
Poorest neighborhood – Trenchtown, Spanishtown
– Reggae Music
– Rastafarians
– Fastest Runners in the World
– Popular Tourist destinations like
Montego Bay, and Negril
Dunn River Falls
Montego Bay
Blue Mountains
The Blue Lagoon
– Home to many famous people, Bob Marley, Usain Bolt, Colin Powell, Busta Rhymes, Biggie Smalls,Marcus Garvey, Shirley Chisholm,Harry Belafonte, Sean Kingston, Naomi Campbell, Tyson Beckford,
6. Trinidad and Tobago 1.5 million $32,100 ($44 billion)
Richest neighborhood-Westmoorings, Maraval, St. Clair, Goodwood Park, Valsayn
Poorest neighborhood – Laventille, Debe / Scorpion & Haige Streets in Carenage / Anything east of Charlotte Street in the City / Sealots / Beetham
– One of most prosperous Carribean islands
– Home of Calypso, Limbo
One the few Caribbean countries that are not dependant on Tourism
Beautiful scenery
Home of the Largest Carnival in the Carribean
-Birthplace of Nicki Minaj
Trinidad and Tobago is considered one of the most educated countries in the World with a literacy rate exceeding 98%. Trinidad spends 15.6% of it gdp on education more than any other country
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– Trevor Manuel, Nia Long, Tatiana Ali
7. Martinique and Guadaloupe 900,000 $27,000
-Background of Thierry Henri
-Aime Cesaire
-Franz Fanon
8. The Bahamas 350,000 $35,000 ($11.1 billion)
Richest country in the Caribbean
Nassau
Average income – $3,150.00 or $37,800 (3,000.00-3,300.00)
One bedroom outside of Downtown $630.00 or $7,560 (550.00-740.00)
Richest neighborhood- Paradise Island, Lyford Cay
Poorest neighborhood- Kemp Road and The Grove
9. Barbados 265,000 $25,000
Home of Rihanna
Highest HDI in Carribean
The average life expectancy is 72 years for males and 77 years for females.[1] Barbados and Japan have the highest per capita occurrences of centenarians in the world.[
10. Netherlands Antilles 300,000 $37,000
Only Dutch speaking country in the Caribbean
