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The Caribbean -- also commonly called the West Indies because Columbus thought he had sailed to India -- is truly a polyglot, with each island having its own particular qualities and charms.
Besides the Spanish heritage of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, Cuba -- currently the most talked about (and controversial) Caribbean destination after some loosening of travel restrictions by the U.S. -- you’ll find French islands such Martinique and Guadeloupe, which are actually overseas departments of France.
French-speaking Haiti shares Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic, while French territory St. Martin shares its island with Dutch Sint Maarten. Other Dutch islands include Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao (the “ABC” islands).
For a taste of British heritage, head for the British Virgin Islands, The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos, Anguilla, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago among others. (Technically, Turks and Caicos and The Bahamas are in the Atlantic Ocean, but are traditionally included among the Caribbean islands because of cultural and other similarities; Bermuda, well to the north, is not.)
The U.S. Virgin Islands still reveal some Danish heritage, especially in its early architecture and place names. .
And of course, African heritage -- dating back to slaving days -- pervades the Caribbean, influencing language, music, cuisine, dance, art, and many other aspects of the culture. Amerindian culture, which was native to the Caribbean, lives on only in a few places since the arrival of Europeans destroyed them rapidly through disease, violence, and overwork.
For cruise ship purposes, the Caribbean is usually divided into the Western Caribbean (such as Mexico's Cozumel island, Jamaica, and Grand Cayman); the Eastern Caribbean (such as St. Martin/Sint Maarten, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico), and the Southern Caribbean (such as Barbados, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Curacao, St. Lucia, Martinique).
But in geographical terms, the northernmost islands -- including Cuba, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and Hispaniola -- are called the Greater Antilles, while the eastern and southern islands are known as the Lesser Antilles. The latter, in turn, are divided into the Windward Islands (facing the wind: Grenada, St. Lucia, Martinique, St. Vincent) and the Leeward Islands (away from the wind: Dominica, Guadeloupe, St. Kitts, the Virgin Islands, Anguilla).
Some of the countries bordering the Caribbean -- both in Central America and northern South America -- are sometimes also grouped as part of the Caribbean.
Are you looking for lush, green rainforests? Head to Grenada or Dominica.
Is a dry, desert-like island more your style? Barbados or Curacao would fill the bill.
History and culture? Try the Dominican Republic, Cuba, or Puerto Rico.
Great music? Trinidad and Jamaica have the beat.
Scuba diving and snorkeling? Bonaire, the Cayman Islands, and Cozumel are tops.
Beautiful beaches? They're nearly everywhere, but you can't go wrong with Anguilla or Aruba.
To find the tour that's right for your Caribbean adventures, turn to Stride for guidance -- we'll help you narrow down your choices, though you'll probably want to come again and again to sample as many of these diverse and delightful islands as possible.
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