Caribbean IslandsCaribbean Islands

History, Culture and TodayHistory, Culture and Today

HistoryHistory

►When Columbus When Columbus discovered America, discovered America, he actually discovered he actually discovered he Caribbean Islands. he Caribbean Islands. Today, these islands Today, these islands include 13 include 13 independent along independent along with many having ties with many having ties to other nations. to other nations. These countries show These countries show the influence of their the influence of their European history.European history.

Early HistoryEarly History

► Columbus arrived in Columbus arrived in 1492 and thought he 1492 and thought he had reached the Indies had reached the Indies – islands near India. – islands near India. Thus, he called the Thus, he called the islands the West Indies islands the West Indies and the natives Indians. and the natives Indians. Spain had little interest Spain had little interest in the small islands, but in the small islands, but the French, English, the French, English, Dutch, Danish and Dutch, Danish and Portuguese did.Portuguese did.

Early HistoryEarly History

► In the 1600’s and 1700’s, In the 1600’s and 1700’s, European countries European countries began to establish began to establish colonies on the islands. colonies on the islands. They built large They built large plantations and allowed plantations and allowed the natives to work there the natives to work there until they were killed off until they were killed off by overwork or disease. by overwork or disease. They would then be They would then be replaced by Africans. replaced by Africans. This sounds a bit familiar, This sounds a bit familiar, doesn’t it!?!doesn’t it!?!

IndependenceIndependence

► Haiti gained Haiti gained independence from independence from France after a slave France after a slave revolt led by revolt led by Toussaint-Toussaint-L’Ouverture in 1804. L’Ouverture in 1804. This spread the ideas This spread the ideas of freedom and of freedom and independence independence throughout the throughout the entire region.entire region.

IndependenceIndependence

► By the mid 1800’s, the By the mid 1800’s, the Dominican Republic Dominican Republic gained independence gained independence and the US got Cuba and the US got Cuba in the Spanish in the Spanish American War and American War and gave it independence gave it independence in 1902. The bulk of in 1902. The bulk of other nations did not other nations did not get independence get independence until after World War until after World War II.II.

IndependenceIndependence

► Most of the Most of the Caribbean Islands Caribbean Islands are still not are still not independent, but are independent, but are still possessions of still possessions of European Countries European Countries such as Martinique such as Martinique and France and some and France and some are tied to countries are tied to countries as Commonwealths as Commonwealths like Puerto Rico and like Puerto Rico and the US.the US.

People, Languages and People, Languages and ReligionReligion

► Most of the islanders are Most of the islanders are descendants of descendants of Europeans or Africans or Europeans or Africans or a mix of the two. There a mix of the two. There are some Asians who are some Asians who came to work on the came to work on the plantations after slavery plantations after slavery ended. Languages ended. Languages reflect the heritage – reflect the heritage – English, Spanish, French English, Spanish, French as well as mixtures of as well as mixtures of European and African European and African languages. Creole in languages. Creole in Haiti is an example, a Haiti is an example, a dialect that mixes French dialect that mixes French and African influences.and African influences.

ReligionReligion

► The past is also The past is also reflected in the religion. reflected in the religion. Former Spanish and Former Spanish and French colonies French colonies practice a blend of practice a blend of Catholicism and African Catholicism and African blends, such as blends, such as Santeria. Dutch and Santeria. Dutch and English areas have English areas have Protestant and African Protestant and African traditions as well as traditions as well as Catholicism.Catholicism.

Festivals and FoodFestivals and Food

► People of the islands People of the islands celebrate many celebrate many holidays. One of the holidays. One of the biggest is Carnival. biggest is Carnival. Celebrated right Celebrated right before Lent, Carnival before Lent, Carnival is marked by big is marked by big parades, fancy parades, fancy costumes and music.costumes and music.

FoodFood

► Food also reflects the Food also reflects the past. Many of the dishes past. Many of the dishes come from African / slave come from African / slave heritage. New food to the heritage. New food to the islands from Africa such islands from Africa such as yams and okra are as yams and okra are popular and souse, a dish popular and souse, a dish made from pig snouts, made from pig snouts, tails and ears is popular. tails and ears is popular. Slave holders getting the Slave holders getting the best of the pig would best of the pig would leave the remainders to leave the remainders to the slaves. Curry form the slaves. Curry form India is a popular spice.India is a popular spice.

Caribbean Islands Today: Caribbean Islands Today: Puerto RicoPuerto Rico

► Once a Spanish colony, Puerto Rico is a US Once a Spanish colony, Puerto Rico is a US Commonwealth. Puerto Ricans are US citizens, but do Commonwealth. Puerto Ricans are US citizens, but do not have voting representation in Congress. Puerto Rico not have voting representation in Congress. Puerto Rico has gained from its link to the US, still, unemployment is has gained from its link to the US, still, unemployment is high and wages low, so many come to the US looking for high and wages low, so many come to the US looking for a better life. The idea of Puerto Rico becoming a state a better life. The idea of Puerto Rico becoming a state has been discussed several times in the past, so ….has been discussed several times in the past, so ….

Today: HaitiToday: Haiti

► Haiti is the western portion of Hispaniola. Port Au Prince Haiti is the western portion of Hispaniola. Port Au Prince is the capital and hub of industry, but most Haitians farm is the capital and hub of industry, but most Haitians farm small plots. Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas. small plots. Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas. The people have dealt with a string of corrupt The people have dealt with a string of corrupt governments, violence, poverty and political unrest governments, violence, poverty and political unrest creating many political refugees. Many of these refugees creating many political refugees. Many of these refugees have come to the US.have come to the US.

Haiti Natural Disaster AreaHaiti Natural Disaster Area

► In January of 2010, an In January of 2010, an earthquake of earthquake of catastrophic catastrophic proportions struck the proportions struck the island. It killed island. It killed 230,000 and injured 230,000 and injured over 300,000. More over 300,000. More than a million people than a million people were left homeless. were left homeless. Haitians are still Haitians are still rebuilding their homes rebuilding their homes and lives today.and lives today.

Today: Dominican RepublicToday: Dominican Republic

► The Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic is on the eastern part of is on the eastern part of Hispaniola. The capital, Hispaniola. The capital, Santo Domingo was the Santo Domingo was the first European settlement first European settlement in the Western in the Western Hemisphere. Although Hemisphere. Although not a rich country, it’s not a rich country, it’s health care, economy, health care, economy, housing and education is housing and education is much better than Haiti. much better than Haiti. Agriculture is the basis of Agriculture is the basis of the economy and tourism the economy and tourism is growing in recent is growing in recent years.years.

Today: CubaToday: Cuba► Cuba is the largest and Cuba is the largest and

most populous country. most populous country. It is located just It is located just 90+miles from the US. 90+miles from the US. Havana is the capital and Havana is the capital and most important city. The most important city. The Cuban government has Cuban government has been Communist since been Communist since the revolution in 1959. the revolution in 1959. The government took The government took over all of the means of over all of the means of production and the US production and the US set a ban on trade with set a ban on trade with Cuba and restricted Cuba and restricted tourism by American tourism by American travelers.travelers.

Today: CubaToday: Cuba

► Today the government Today the government still controls most of the still controls most of the business and farms are business and farms are set up as cooperatives. set up as cooperatives. The government also The government also controls the newspapers, controls the newspapers, television and radio. television and radio. Those that oppose the Those that oppose the government control of government control of everything try to become everything try to become refugees and migrate to refugees and migrate to the US. Many have the US. Many have become citizensbecome citizens

Other IslandsOther Islands

• The rest of the islands of the Caribbean are small. The rest of the islands of the Caribbean are small. Jamaica is the largest and St. Kitts and Nevis is the Jamaica is the largest and St. Kitts and Nevis is the smallest – less than 1/10 the size of Rhode Island.smallest – less than 1/10 the size of Rhode Island.

• Many of the islands are not independent, but territories Many of the islands are not independent, but territories such as US and British Virgin Islands, Martinique and such as US and British Virgin Islands, Martinique and Aruba.Aruba.

• Although some of the islands have enough land to grow Although some of the islands have enough land to grow crops, most of the economies are based on tourism and crops, most of the economies are based on tourism and many work in the service industry related to tourism.many work in the service industry related to tourism.

• While tourism does provide a boost to the economies, it While tourism does provide a boost to the economies, it does have negative impact on the environment at times. does have negative impact on the environment at times. Some areas are now promoting green environment trips Some areas are now promoting green environment trips and excursions – these are based on maintaining the and excursions – these are based on maintaining the natural environment.natural environment.

To Sum up …To Sum up …

► Exit: What European countries influence the Exit: What European countries influence the culture of the Caribbean Islands?culture of the Caribbean Islands?

► Stay Tuned next time for The Atlantic South Stay Tuned next time for The Atlantic South America.America.