Lecture Notes: Caribbean Region and its Diaspora

Introduction

• First topic in the CAPE Caribbean Studies syllabus.
• Focus: Location and Definition of the Caribbean Region and its Diaspora.

Objectives

• Identify Caribbean territories on a map.
• Understand sub-regions: Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos.
• Learn the positions of these territories in relation to the Caribbean Sea.
• Understand why the Caribbean is an abstract concept with multiple definitions.

Caribbean Map

• Center: Caribbean Sea.
• Top Left: Gulf of Mexico.
• Bottom Left: Pacific Ocean.
• East: Atlantic Ocean.

Sub-Regions

Greater Antilles

• Larger islands: Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic), Puerto Rico.
  • Haiti: First black republic in the Western Hemisphere.
  • Puerto Rico: Associated state of the USA.
  • Cayman Islands: British Overseas Territory.

Lesser Antilles

• Smaller islands east of the Caribbean Sea.
• Divided into Leeward Islands (north) and Windward Islands (south).

Mainland Territories

• South America: Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana.
• Central America: Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama.

Unique Features

• Panama: Isthmus separating the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean.
• Bahamas and Turks and Caicos: Lucayan Archipelago.

Definitions of the Caribbean

Geographical Definition

• Caribbean Basin: Countries with coastlines on the Caribbean Sea.
• Excludes countries like Barbados, Bahamas, Guyana, Turks and Caicos, Bermuda.
• Latitudinal and Longitudinal Boundaries:
  • Approx. 60°W to 85°W longitude.
  • Approx. 5°N to 25°N latitude (extended to 30°N for Bermuda).

Geological Definition

• Countries lying on the Caribbean Plate.
• Excludes: Cuba, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Guyana.
• Considers geological features like mountains and volcanoes.

Historical Definition

• Tied by shared historical experiences, primarily colonization by European countries.
• Involves large-scale farming, plantation slavery, and indentureship.
• Influences seen in speech, religion, food.
• Differences in colonial influence: Spanish, British, French, Dutch, etc.
• Includes Latin American countries historically controlled by Spain.

Political Definition

• Shared/similar political systems: independent states, associated states, republics, constitutional monarchies.
• Key organizations: CARICOM, OECS.
• CARICOM: 15 member states, 5 associated members.
• Excludes countries like Cuba due to its political system.

Diasporic Definition

• Refers to Caribbean people who have migrated but maintain connection through culture, family, or other ties.

Conclusion

• A quiz is available at the end of the presentation.
• Encouragement to follow on social media and subscribe.

End of Lecture Notes