The Caribbean is called the islands and states that are washed by the Caribbean Sea. This sea washes 9 continental countries and 26 island states.
Table: Caribbean states with capitals
| The name of the country | Capital |
| Belize | Belmopan |
| Venezuela | Caracas |
| Guatemala | Guatemala |
| Honduras | Tegucigalpa |
| Colombia | Bogota |
| Republic of Costa Rica | San Jose |
| United Mexican States | mexico city |
| Nicaragua | Managua |
| Panama | Panama |
| Republic of Cuba | Havana |
| Dominican Republic | Santo Domingo |
| Haiti | Port-au-Prince |
| Jamaica | kingston |
| Puerto Rico | San Juan |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Port of Spain |
| Guadeloupe | Bas-Ter |
| Commonwealth of Dominica | Roseau |
| Saint Lucia | Castries |
| Curacao | Willemstad |
| Antigua and Barbuda | St. John's |
| Barbados | bridgetown |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Kingstown |
| Virgin Islands (US) | Charlotte Amalie |
| St. George's | |
| Caiman | Georgetown |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | Buster |
| Aruba | Oranjestad |
| Virgin Islands (United Kingdom) | road town |
| Anguilla | Valley |
| Montserrat | Brades |
| Saint Martin | Marigot |
| Saint Barthelemy | Gustavia |
The Caribbean Sea washes many coasts belonging not only to continental powers, but also to island ones, and the union of these states is usually called the countries of the Caribbean. Island states stretch between North and South America, one of the largest are the Antilles, whose area is 245,000 square meters. km.
Christopher Columbus proclaimed this place the "West Indies", because in 1492, returning from Europe, his team got lost and, moored to the shores of the Bahamas, decided that it was. Since then, the Spaniards have been actively exploring new lands. Soon, for the development of land and the construction of plantations, slaves began to be imported to the island. Africans were especially valued, because they were resistant to hot climates and therefore more hardy.
The period of colonization lasted three centuries, after which, gradually, individual islands began to gain independence. The first liberated colony was San Domingo, which gained independence from France in 1804. Others followed her. But colonial history left its imprint on the culture of peoples. Locals mixed with people from Africa and other regions, religion, customs and blood merged, which gave rise to a completely new culture, unique in its own way.
Piracy in the Caribbean
Almost a century after Christopher Columbus set foot on new lands, mistakenly assuming that they discovered only new way to Asia, and not new lands, pirates began to settle in the Caribbean. Again open areas the sushi was fertile, everything the developed countries they tried to claim the islands as much as they could, ships came and went constantly, and carried a lot of valuable things, no doubt, this attracted the pirates. The most favorite islands for them were Tortuga and Port Royal.
The first 30 years of the 18th century are considered to be the period of prosperity of the island for pirates, during these years such personalities as Blackbeard, Charles Vane and many others became famous.
Caribbean Islands Today
At the moment, like many warm countries, island states thrive only thanks to tourism, it is he who brings the lion's share of GDP to the regions. The lists of resorts are huge, the country can be chosen based on culture, local cuisine, service and season. Despite the fact that the islands washed by the Caribbean Sea have a year-round resort, there is still a seasonality, in some months there is a rainy season. At this time lovers beach holiday it is better to stay elsewhere, I am glad that this seasonality does not occur on the islands at the same time.
Nature here is unique in its own way:
- white sandy beaches as from the picture;
- clear and warm bluish water;
- rich vegetable and animal world tropical forest.
List of popular resorts
Cuba
The Russians, for example, fell in love with Cuba and, despite the very expensive flight, the attendance of this country by our compatriots is growing every year. And the plus is that due to the friendly relations of our states, Russians do not need a visa. You can stay on the island without a prior permit for 90 days.
Holidays in Cuba are suitable for any generation, young people can dance until they drop at the brightest parties, tasting the famous Cuban rum, and the older generation will be able to treat themselves to real Cuban cigars and beautiful views of the sea.
Haiti
Typical beach in Jamaica
Puerto Rico
An island of seclusion and tranquility big amount around small uninhabited islets. This perfect place in order to take a break from the hustle and bustle of people, including.
On the island, you can easily take a boat and sail to the nearby islands, they are not inhabited, and for a moment you can feel like the owner of the whole island!
You should not be afraid of predatory animals, they are not here, only a small Koki frog can cause inconvenience and deafen you with its sounds.
Barbados
One of the former pirate islands, and this zest is still inherent in the island, there are many museums where you can trace and learn the history of the island, and compared to other Caribbean island countries, it is the richest in terms of the number of museums and architectural monuments.
Being a British colony in the past, it retained some features, for example, in its conservative part, swimming and topless appearances are strictly prohibited, and even more so, it is unacceptable to be completely naked, so nudist sunbathing is excluded.Tortuga
The most favorite island among pirates in the past, here was the buying and selling of stolen and mined in the expanses of the sea. Everything on this island is made in a pirate style, here they love and honor their past and have fun from the heart all year round. It was on this island that the film "Pirates of the Caribbean" was filmed, which brought him even greater popularity. Here, locals dressed as pirates roam everywhere, who, for a modest fee, will allow you to take a fun photo with their participation. People come here to have fun to the fullest and with all their hearts.
You can find some of the most beautiful beaches with unusual sand in. There is foreshore with white, gray, golden and even black sand. The fact is that a volcano previously functioned on the island, hence the ash-colored beaches.
Now the volcano is no longer active, and in its center there is a lake. In this country, it will be interesting to visit the capital of St. George's, there is a lot of interesting architecture and there are no wooden buildings in the city, because it burned repeatedly and the government decided to ban the construction of buildings made of wood, as well as taller than the height of local palms.
Trinidad and Tobago
This state has conquered the hearts of ecotourism lovers, it is located on 7 islands and it is quiet and calm here all year round, with the exception of the carnival period, when dances and dances continue until the morning for several days in a row.
Dominican Republic
Indescribably beautiful beaches, clear and azure water, cheerful entertainment programs, tasty food and great restaurants with unforgettable views. All architectural delights and museums are concentrated in Santo Domingo, but the rest of the cities are remarkable only for their impeccable landscapes.
The Caribbean destination is one of the best sea travel options in autumn-winter period when you want to escape from a gray and dull environment to places with beautiful beaches, warm turquoise waters and exceptional sunny weather. Going on such a trip to the Caribbean from September to March, you can get all these joys of life. comfortable luxury and luxury yachts in the Caribbean is not a problem at all, which only adds to the attractiveness of this region in terms of exciting sea travel.
There are 28 island countries and over 7,000 islands in the waters of the Caribbean, so choosing a route in this region can be far from an easy task. Here are some of the most attractive destinations in the Caribbean that you should pay attention to and take note of where and what are the most interesting ones if you are planning to go on such an exciting trip on a yacht.
Cuba
Tropical paradise of freedom and incendiary parties
The island, famous for the invention of mojitos and the original atmosphere of endless fun, will certainly delight fans of incendiary dances and parties until the morning. In terms of a variety of nightclubs and discos, Cuba can even surpass all the anticipation of a boring pastime from dusk to dawn. This largest island in the Caribbean is famous for its variety of sounding melodies. Here, on any dance floor, everyone can find their own rhythm, from jazz improvisations and energetic salsa to passionate rumba.
Havana is one of the best places in terms of boring pastime at night. Here you can find many excellent bars, discos, cabarets and nightclubs where you can light up the dance floor and relax to the rhythms of Cuban music while enjoying original cocktails. Even Santiago de Cuba, with numerous parties in various styles and the famous Cuban carnival, fades into the background after Havana.
Most of the major nightclubs in Cuba are located in popular tourist resorts. But you can also stop at one of the smaller beaches and enjoy a real Cuban cigar and Cuban rum in one of the local bars on the coast.
Exclusive Caribbean Destination
A small island (about 21 square kilometers) Saint Barthelemy is considered one of the most exclusive islands in the Caribbean. Often it is even called that - "the island of millionaires." Amazing snow-white, perfectly clear waters and many luxurious hotels and restaurants allow you to fully enjoy a comfortable stay at the highest level.
The port city of Gustavia has many high-end shops and gourmet restaurants housed in ancient stone buildings, allowing you to experience the colorful atmosphere of this unique place with a touch of history. On a yacht you can visit the most secluded beaches of these places, as well as carry out an exciting hiking through the picturesque area from Colombier hill to Anse de Grande Colombier beach.
Barbados
An island in the Caribbean for entertainment for all tastes
Barbados is able to win the heart of any traveler - even the most fastidious. Depending on the travel budget, here you can choose various options for an exciting pastime.
Lovers of passive relaxation can sunbathe on the luxurious local beaches, and lovers of elegant sports can play golf on the fields of beach golf clubs. Those who cannot live without bright bursts of adrenaline can seriously engage in any kind of diving here and discover many underwater treasures of the Caribbean Sea by going to coral reefs, underwater caves or sunken ships. Barbados can even become one of the most successful places among the exotic Caribbean islands for organizing a wedding celebration.
In addition, this direction is one of the best for true gourmets, because it is considered a kind of crossroads of different cultures, so the influence of European, African and Oriental culinary traditions is mixed in the local cuisine.
The best direction for a historical excursion
Since Christopher Columbus discovered the Dominican Republic in 1492, this country has gone through a series of numerous political conflicts and devastation. The French, Spaniards, Haitians, Americans - all laid claim to the possession of these islands. Therefore, this is one of the most historically interesting places in the Caribbean, where you can get in touch with the echoes of the history of various eras and unique cultural heritage different peoples.
Well-preserved architectural structures of the 15th and 16th centuries perfectly reflect the colonial style. Looking at such buildings, one can clearly imagine what the city looked like in 1498. Therefore, it is not surprising that San Domingo was included in the list of sites under the auspices of UNESCO.
The Dominican Republic is considered the true pearl of the Caribbean, and you can appreciate how successful such a colorful comparison is by going on a yacht to explore the coast of this island country.
Saint Lucia
Best Romantic Destination
On the island of St. Lucia there are opportunities for recreation for all tastes. The picturesque landscapes of the volcanic mountains Pitons, which can be climbed, located in small resorts, beautiful beaches, hills covered with emerald greenery and crystal clear sea - all this makes the island nation of St. paradise The Caribbean, where the atmosphere of romance reigns.
It is not surprising that this particular destination has repeatedly been included in the lists of the best places for a honeymoon, which you can go on a yacht, compiled by various authoritative publications.
St. Lucia has many luxurious resorts that impress with picturesque landscapes, ancient architecture and excellent restaurants that can satisfy even the most sophisticated gourmets. Most of the places worthy of attention are located near the two main cities of the island: either in the vicinity of the capital of Castries, or near the foot of the picturesque mountains near Soufrière.
Cayman islands
The best destination for family holidays
Each of the three islands that make up the Cayman Islands has its own unique vacation opportunities, but in general, they are all considered an ideal family vacation destination in the Caribbean. Here there are for children of any age, and their parents at the same time will also be able to find many opportunities for an exciting holiday.
The Cayman Islands are great for fun, and local beaches are considered one of the safest for swimming and relaxing with young children. Children aged 8 and over can learn the basics of scuba diving at local diving clubs and engage in this exciting water activity with their parents. Equally exciting will be a visit to the turtle farm, the artificial city of Stingray City, where you can swim with stingrays, pirate ships and various children's clubs that offer all kinds of entertainment and excursions designed for all family members.
Horseback riding along the beach coast, swimming with dolphins and stingrays, go-karting, visiting the island's oldest castle - and this is just some of the exciting entertainment that can make your vacation in the Cayman Islands memorable.
Saint Martin
The best island in the Caribbean for true gourmets
Saint Martin is often referred to as the "culinary capital" of the Caribbean. There are over 400 restaurants on the island, and it is also rumored that it was here that a French chef invented a new cuisine, the “highlight” of which is cooking on fire.
The island can be divided into 2 parts. Its northern part is influenced by French culinary traditions, while the south is dominated by culinary traditions Dutch, which over the past few decades have been closely intertwined with the characteristics of American cuisine.
In the south of the island of St. Martin, you can find many restaurants that offer international cuisine of high quality and exquisite taste.
In addition to the original cuisine, this Caribbean island is also known for one of the most unique airports in the world. The runway is located right above the local beach, and it is not particularly surprising here when private or commercial planes coming in for landing fly right over the heads of people relaxing on the beach.
Aruba
The best beach destination in the Caribbean
The beaches of Aruba are world famous for their picturesque scenery, more like a picture of a Caribbean paradise: stretching for several kilometers of white sand beaches and calm crystal clear waters, ideal for snorkeling.
Palm Beach is recognized as one of the the best beaches not only in the Caribbean, but all over the world. It is also considered the most popular, ideal for swimming. Located on the west coast of the island, Eagle Beach is no less popular among vacationers. Connoisseurs are best to go to the beaches of Malmok and Arashi, located on the northern coast of the island. The advantage of relaxing on these beaches is not only ideal conditions for exciting activities, but also a great opportunity to watch the most spectacular sunsets over the sea.
Aruba lies just below the hurricane belt and, unlike many other Caribbean islands, has a dry climate. Rains are very rare here, which makes this destination ideal for a beach holiday.
The beaches, located on the northeast coast of the island, are most protected from the winds by curved trees, the outlines of which have been shaped over many years and are an impressive sight, giving the feeling of being in a park of sculptures created by nature itself.
Bonaire
Best Diving Destination
This island in the Caribbean is considered one of the least developed tourist destinations. There are only a few large hotels here, but you can find many rental apartments and guest houses.
The island of Bonaire is of volcanic origin, and it is of interest primarily to connoisseurs of scuba diving. Close to the coast, there is an uninterrupted coral reef, completely untouched by people, which is considered one of the best diving sites in the Caribbean.
In addition, this island is considered one of the most popular eco-tourism destinations in the region. The Bonaire Marine Park is under the protection of the state, seeking to preserve the pristine nature of these places. On the coast there are habitats for turtles and rare species of flamingos.
Best Destination for Musical Entertainment
Jamaica is considered one of the most colorful islands in the Caribbean, offering vacationers a unique mix of original culture, picturesque nature, specific cuisine and numerous entertainments for every taste. In addition, this island is famous for its long musical tradition, which was born as a result of communication through the songs of slaves who worked on local plantations.
Jamaica is inextricably linked with music, which at all times manifested itself both in the revolts of local residents, and in their religious and wedding traditions. African music here is closely intertwined with European musical trends, creating an original musical style, including the sound of drums, tambourines and specific singing. One of the most famous musicians of this direction is Bob Marley.
Jamaica is still associated with music. In Negril, you can find many nightclubs and discos where you can have fun from the heart, and if you want the most relaxed atmosphere, then the most the best way– go to the beach bars and clubs of Montego Bay.
Aruba attracts with its snow-white beaches, European service and casinos, of which there are a great many on the island. Curacao, Bonaire and Cayman Islands
famous for their excellent diving opportunities. in tropical parks Trinidad and Tobago
you can see hundreds of birds and butterflies, make a trip to the asphalt lake and go diving too. Suitable for lovers of solitude Saint Vincent, Grenadines and Barbados.
Vacationers in the Caribbean can take a trip to the "Spice Island" Grenada with its secluded beaches and many bays, visit Antigua island, where there are 365 beaches, or Dominica- the island of 365 rivers.
On the Santa Lucia- waterfalls and mountains of amazing beauty, covered with tropical forests. St. Barthelemy known for its luxury hotels, which rests the public, accustomed to luxury and pleasure.
Guadeloupe and Martinique
- places for connoisseurs of eco-tourism.
Anguila is a special, small, serene secluded island. Sixteen miles long and three miles wide, the island is full of white soft sand beaches lapped by crystal clear blue waters. Anguila is famous for its atmosphere of privacy and peace, the island is ideal for those who need an "antidote for stress." Water sports enthusiasts will be delighted with the water sports center located on the beach in Road Bay.
One of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean: green hills, endless blue skies and white sand beaches. Crystal clear seas, superb diving, diverse underwater world, coral reefs and superb beaches make Virgin Islands a real yachting paradise and an ideal sailing area.
Saint Maarten- 37 amazing beaches, diving, jungle safaris, yacht cruises, fishing, kayaking, sightseeing helicopter tours, horseback riding, mountain biking, casinos (located on the Dutch part of the island), discos.
Bahamas
, or as they are also called Bahamas, are an archipelago of 700 islands and located at a distance of about 90 km from the coast of Florida. Depending on the place, the appearance also differs. Bahamas: here is the charm of the era of colonialism in historical Nassau on the island of New Providence, and modern Freeport on the island of Grand Bahama, and the idyll of Out Azlands. As if strung on a string of beads stretched Bahamas in the Atlantic Ocean, being washed by warm waters Gulf Stream.
On the famous Paradise Island, connected to New Providence by a bridge, the most luxurious hotels in the Bahamas are located - Ocean Club and Atlantis Paradise Island. The Small Islands are the ideal haven for modern day Robinsons seeking solitude and romance, as little has changed here over the past thousand years... A charming pastoral atmosphere, leisurely rhythms and amazing pink sand beaches await you. The local area is also ideal for water sports: diving, windsurfing, water skiing and sailing.
Antigua Island, like many others, is popular among yachtsmen for its marine area. You can start your journey from the long-known part of the island called Nelson`s Dockyard in English Harbour. It is located just 30 minutes from VC Bird International Airport. Nelson's Shipyard is the perfect place to start your journey, with 365 white sand beaches stretching along its coastline.
Aruba is a tiny island located in the Caribbean Sea 180 miles off the coast of Venezuela. The area of the island is 193 sq. km. Dominion of the Netherlands.
Aruba- these are sand dunes, rocky shores, thickets of tropical plants, cactus hedges. Constantly blowing breezes have made the island the capital of sailing. A necklace of luxury hotels adorns it all along the coast. Aruba called the Caribbean Monte Carlo.
Dozens of chic casinos are located here, including the largest in the Caribbean - La Cabana. The whole island is a big Duty Free shop.
The luxurious white-sand beaches of Aruba occupy one of the leading places among the fashionable resorts in the world. The width of Palm and Eagle Beach in some places reaches 700 meters. "by a miracle" Aruba it is considered to be constantly cool sand that does not burn the feet even in the hottest daytime hours. This "miracle" makes Aruba a truly "elite" holiday destination.
Barbados Island often referred to as "Little England". And this is not surprising, because for many centuries Barbados has absorbed the traditions and culture of the British Empire. Here they drink afternoon tea, play cricket and golf. However, the British were not the first to master Barbados, this merit belongs to the Portuguese, who gave the name to the island - "Los Barbados", which means "bearded".
British Virgin Islands
- one of the most beautiful navigation areas in the Caribbean. Located east of Puerto Rico between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, it is an impressive group of almost 60 mostly volcanic and coral islands.
Shipwrecks, pirate legends, fortresses and sugar mills are a constant reminder of the rich history of the Virgin Islands. The English, Danes, Spaniards and Dutch fought here and tried to colonize these islands, while pirates hid in caves and hidden bays and attacked merchant ships laden with treasure.
Crystal clear seas, superb diving, a diverse underwater world, coral reefs and superb beaches make the Virgin Islands a true yachting paradise and an ideal sailing area.
Guadeloupe consists of two islands separated by a narrow sea strait: Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre. From an airplane, the outline of Guadeloupe resembles a butterfly that has fallen into the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea.
Basse-Terre is a beautiful old town with French colonial architecture. It is picturesquely spread out on the seashore at the foot of Soufrière. Made of limestone, the island of Grande Terre is flat, with a dry climate, covered with sugarcane plantations and bordered by white sandy beaches surrounded by a coral reef. The main wealth of Guadeloupe is magnificent beaches that attract tourists from all over the world, and sugar cane plantations. It has long been used to produce excellent rum: the export of this drink is one of the important sectors of the economy in Guadeloupe.
Rafting, water sports, fishing, diving, trips to the five islands belonging to Guadeloupe ... Lulled by the gentle breath of the trade winds, Guadeloupe is a dreamland filled with sunshine and teeming with splendor.
Grenada- one of the smallest independent states in the Western Hemisphere. The state includes Grenada, the southernmost island in the Windward Islands group, and the southern part of the Grenadines, the largest of which are about. Carriacou and Fr. Little Martinique. Grenada is an island of volcanic origin, characterized by mountainous terrain and a heavily indented coastline with coral reefs, convenient bays and many secluded beaches. The interior of the island is occupied by dense tropical forests, mountain ranges (the highest point of the island is Mount St. Catherine - 840 meters), rivers, waterfalls and beautiful lakes. Aromas of cloves, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon and cocoa soar in Grenada. The island is famous for the best rum factories, following the proven technology of making a pirated drink. old recipes, century-old plantations, colorful Saturday markets and delicious fruits and vegetables exported to many countries of the world. Rare tropical flowers adorning the expanses of Grenada, the pastels of coastal houses, tiled roofs and the lazy rhythms of local life will forever captivate travelers.
Saint Maarten- 37 amazing beaches, diving, jungle safaris, yacht cruises, fishing, kayaking, sightseeing helicopter tours, horseback riding, mountain biking, casinos (located on the Dutch part of the island), discos. Today on the island you can choose any accommodation option.
caribbean this is perhaps one of the visualizations of heaven on earth. All year round the sea is warm and gentle, the sun does not seem to remember the word winter at all, and the sand of color from snow-white to black beckons: lie down, relax, listen to the sound of the waves and the singing of birds, forget about everything and enjoy your vacation ...
The hardest question about caribbean- this is where to go and which of the islands to choose. There are many of them and the one who believes that they are all the same is mistaken. Incessant night life on the island of Aruba Aruba, the exquisitely English island of Barbados Barbados, the delightful multitude of beaches of Antigua Antigua, the unique Dutch charm of the island of Curacao Curacao or, conversely, the reggae island of Jamaica Jamaica - all the islands of the Caribbean are similar only in their geographical location.
The widest and longest beaches in the Caribbean are the beaches of large islands - the island of Cuba Cuba, the island of Haiti Haiti, the island of Jamaica, the island of Puerto Rico Puerto Rico. However, there are world-famous beaches on small islands: for example, Eagle Beach, located on the island of Aruba, has long been included in the lists of the most-most beaches in the Caribbean - and in these ratings it is much higher than the beaches of Cuba, the Dominican Republic, the beaches of Jamaica and Puerto Rico. The universally recognized best beach for young children is Baby Beach in Aruba (the lagoon warms up perfectly, the water is clean and transparent, there are no waves).
Aruba Hotels varied, for every taste and budget: from small bungalows to high-rise hotels of international chains. So, for example, Riu Palace Aruba 5*, Bucty Beach Aruba 5*, Occidental Grand Aruba 5*, Machebo Beach 4* are at your service. To obtain good prices for tours to Aruba, it is better to book a trip in advance in order to choose the hotel you like and have time to get a visa to Aruba, which you will need.
If you do not take into account tours to Cuba and the Dominican Republic, since these islands are no longer perceived as exotic, then the third of the largest islands in the Caribbean will be the island Jamaica . This island offers a wide range of hotels from 2 to 5 stars. Most of the hotels on the island of Jamaica are all-inclusive, and other food options are also available here. Tours to Jamaica are especially popular in winter, when the warm Caribbean Sea becomes a salvation for the freezing and tired of dullness. Russian tourist. True, prices for tours to Jamaica for the winter period are growing. The island of Jamaica is characterized by an abundance of greenery, beautiful landscapes and rich nightlife. If you are looking for seclusion from compatriots, then a tour to Jamaica is not for you - choose more unknown islands - for example, Antigua.
Antigua Island it is difficult to find on the world map, but we know that it exists not only in the dreams of a tourist! Green, with a heavily indented coastline, the island of 365 beaches of Antigua will appeal to those connoisseurs of exotic holidays who want not only to lie on the beach, but also to see something new every day. A visa to Antigua is obtained upon arrival, which greatly simplifies the procedure for buying a tour to Antigua. Big choice hotels on the island of Antigua will allow you to find the perfect place in your idea of comfort.
Another island on "A" - Anguilla (Anguila) Anguilla - along with St. Barst (St. Bartholomew) Barth is one of the most expensive islands in the Caribbean. As compensation for the cost of a tour to Anguilla or St. Barst, it is possible to meet world stars here who certainly know the level of service in Anguilla hotels. A flight to Anguilla is possible only from neighboring islands, a tour to Anguilla implies an early opening of a visa, but can this be an obstacle for a real traveler?
When moving to the letter B, the motive “Bahama, Bahama mother” immediately comes to mind - this is about Bahamas Bahamas or as they are briefly called the Bahamas. A visa to the Bahamas is not needed and we will be happy to offer you a tour to the Bahamas at reasonable prices. But remember that the Bahamas is not only Nassau and Paradise Island with their beaches, but also about 700 islands, most of which are uninhabited. The Bahamas are very diverse, there are also large islands with developed infrastructure, and real protected areas, where only untouched nature and beaches. The largest water park in the Caribbean, Aquaventure, is located in the Bahamas.
If the Bahamas is on everyone's lips, then Bermuda Bermuda or Bermuda is not so famous. Horseshoe Bay Beach - Horseshoe Beach - is one of the top ten beaches according to the rating published on TripAdvisor. A visa to Bermuda is not as complicated as it seems, when buying a tour to Bermuda, we are ready to prove it to you.
Barbados Barbados is perhaps one of the most famous islands in the Caribbean - whatever they call it! And "Little England", and "England in the Caribbean", and the British themselves, perhaps, do not believe that the island of Barbados is no longer an English colony - and fly here all year round, even for short holidays. A visa to Barbados is obtained upon arrival, so tours to Barbados are issued quickly and without delay. The weather in Barbados is good all year round: the only thing is that there is more rain in summer, but a significant decrease in hotel prices during this period often leads to an increase in demand in summer.
In addition to the former English colonies in the Caribbean, there are many islands that once belonged to the Dutch and French colonies. Rich story, cultural traditions colonialists - all this left its mark on the Caribbean islands.
The most interesting for gourmets is Saint Martin Sint Maarten or St. Maarten is an island divided in half between France and Holland. This is the smallest piece of land on earth, belonging to two states. The border between the French and Dutch side is very conditional - tourists have the opportunity to cross it as many times as they like. The French side is famous for its restaurants: here is the Grand Case - the capital of French gourmet cuisine in the Caribbean. The Dutch side has great nightclubs and casinos. A visa to St. Maarten opens when buying a tour and does not require a lot of time.
st barts or St. Bartholomew is a former French colony, one of the most expensive islands in the Caribbean. A flight to St. Barts is possible from neighboring islands and ordering a private jet as part of a tour to St. Barts is not easy, but very simple!
French territories in the Caribbean - Guadeloupe Guadeloupe, Martinique Martinique and Montserrat Montserrat - popular among fans of all things French. This, of course, is not the Côte d'Azur, but if the Provencal accent caresses your ears, then by all means choose a ticket to Guadeloupe or a tour to Martinique and remember that they are of a kind - simple, but tasteful. The island of Montserrat after a volcanic eruption is a sad sight, since most of the island is closed, but tours to Montserrat are interesting for lovers of untouched nature, a visa to Montserrat can be obtained online.
Talking about the Netherlands, one cannot but mention the islands Aruba - Curaçao - Bonaire Bonaire . Located side by side, they are especially popular with travelers, because it is so easy to visit all 3 islands in one trip. In addition, they are completely different - Aruba is more dry and deserted, Curacao is greener and famous for Dutch architecture, and Bonaire Island is a nature reserve for nature lovers. Tours to these islands can be booked all year round, Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire lie away from the paths of hurricanes. Tours to Bonaire will interest lovers of diving and snorkeling, as well as just lovers of nature untouched by civilization. Curacao is famous for its aquarium, where you can see a huge number of marine animals and fish.
Geography of the Caribbean
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Geographically, the term "Caribbean" includes the Caribbean Sea, and all islands located southeast of the Gulf of Mexico, east of Central America and Mexico, and north of South America.
Although the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands are not part of the Caribbean, they are still included in this section due to their cultural, geographic, and political ties to the Caribbean.
Caribbean Islands
In total, there are over 7,000 islands in the Caribbean (including rocky islets, small coral and sand islands, and coral reefs).
The largest Caribbean islands are Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti (which is geopolitically divided between two countries, Haiti and the Dominican Republic), and Puerto Rico.
The Caribbean islands form a large arch extending east from the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico) and south from the Florida Peninsula (USA) and ending along the northeast coast of South America.
The Lesser Antilles, as well as the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, and the Turks and Caicos, collectively form the West Indies.
The Lesser Antilles start east of Puerto Rico. This long chain of small islands, bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, curves southward to the island of Trinidad, north of the Venezuelan coast.
The Lesser Antilles are subdivided into the Windward Islands group (in the north) and the Leeward Islands group (in the south). In addition, the Leeward Antilles group is also distinguished, consisting of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, and a small group of Venezuelan islands.
Coasts of the Caribbean
Volcanoes of the Caribbean
Most of the Caribbean islands are of volcanic origin, and many islands include a volcanic peak or are mountainous in nature.
Evidence that volcanic activity has been going on in the region for a very long time can be found in the black (volcanic) sandy beaches on some islands, such as Dominica and Puerto Rico.
Seismic activity is regularly observed in the Caribbean region, as some volcanoes are still active, in particular, on the islands of St. Lucia, Dominica, Grenada, and St. Vincent.
Caribbean mountains
There are several significant mountain ranges in the Caribbean, in particular, in Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago. The highest point in the Caribbean is Peak Duarte (3,098 m), located on the island of Haiti, in the Dominican Republic.
Caribbean forests
Forests grow on many Caribbean islands. The largest forests grow in Dominica and Jamaica. Most of the islands have small waterfalls, usually located on higher ground.
Coral reefs of the Caribbean
The Caribbean has 52,000 sq. km. coral reefs, which is approximately 9% of total coral reefs around the world. The reefs are an important geographical feature of the region, and some of the Caribbean islands are known worldwide for their reefs, such as the island of Cozumel.
Rivers and lakes of the Caribbean
Small lakes and rivers are scattered throughout the Caribbean islands, of which the most significant are in Cuba, Haiti, Trinadad and Tobago.
The largest Caribbean lake is Lake Enriquillo in the Dominican Republic with an area of 265 sq. km. Other significant lakes are located in Cuba - Lake Laguna de Leche (area - 67.2 sq. Km.), And artificial lake Embalz Zaza (area - 113.5 sq. km.).
In addition, there are over 400 relatively small rivers in the Caribbean, as well as many small streams that often dry up in the summer. The longest river in the Caribbean is located in Cuba - the Cauto River, with a length of 370 km, originating in the Sierra Maestra.
The waters of the Caribbean
The largest reservoirs in the region are Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea itself, and, to some extent, the Gulf of Mexico.
The total area of the Caribbean Sea is 2,754,000 sq. km. The deepest point of the sea is the Cayman Trench (7,686 m below sea level), located between the Cayman Islands and Jamaica.