Mrs. Barrow’s 5th Grade Social Studies

*Caribbean Islands

*Political features

* The islands of the Caribbean, or the West Indies, are a group of archipelagos

* The West Indies include thousands of islands that form an arc for more than 2,000 miles

* In 1942 Christopher Columbus gave these islands the name West Indies

* 40 million people live in this area* The Caribbean islands are divided up into 3 major regions

* Bahama Archipelago* Greater Antilles* Lesser Antilles

*Political featuresBahamas

*Political featuresGreater Antilles

*Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico*Hispaniola*Haiti & Dominican Republic

*Political featuresGreater Antilles

*Political featuresLesser Antilles

*Leeward Islands & Windward Islands

*Physical Features

*Atlantic Ocean*Caribbean Sea*Gulf of Mexico*Bahamas*Mostly islands made up of coral and limestone

*Pico Durate*Highest mountain in the Caribbean. Found in Dominican

Republic*Dominican Republic*Martinique & Saint Vincent*Active volcanoes are found on these islands

*Natural Resources

*Climate is the most important natural resource*Warm tropical climate supports agriculture and

tourism (which provide 80% of all jobs)*Sugar cane is the most important agricultural

product*The tropical climate, sandy white beaches,

and beautiful scenery attract millions of tourists to these islands*Tourism is a major tertiary industry

*Sugar Cane

*Beaches

*Climate & Weather

*Trade winds*Bring cooling temperatures to the islands from

the Atlantic Ocean*Steady flow of air from the trade winds reduce

the heat from the sun’s direct rays. This gives the area the even temperatures throughout the year.

*Hurricanes*Summer season*Violent tropical storms that bring heavy winds

and rain

*Trade winds