5 Themes of Geography5 Themes of GeographyThe CaribbeanThe Caribbean

Period 4Period 4Group 5Group 5

LocationLocation

Relative-– In the Caribbean Sea, in between North and South

America, and East and North East of Central America.

Exact-– 26° North to 11° North– 85° West to 61° West

PlacePlace

Physical 1/2• Rainforests• Caribbean Sea• Antillean Islands

– Greater Antilles• made up of Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican

republic), and Puerto Rico – Lesser Antilles

• made up of small islands from the virgin islands to Trinidad

• Palm Savannas• Mangrove Swamp

PlacePlace

Physical 2/2• Climate

– warm year-round because of proximity to equator– abundant rainfall- 80+ inches

• Different amounts of rainfall due to Inter-Tropical Convergency Zone.– hurricanes

• Environmental Issues– deforestations– coastal pollution

• Rimland Forests – Coastal zone of the mainland

PlacePlace

Human• Music – Rhythmic beats• Language – mostly European languages, (Spanish, French, English,

and Dutch dominate other languages) • Creolization – Blending of cultures like African, Euporean,

Amerindian.• Religion – Voodoo in Haiti, Cuba, and Jamica• Plantation – mono-crop production• Immigration – when Asians immigrated, indentured labor was made

so there would be no labor shortages• Maroons and African diaspora – Africans were take nfrom their

homes and forced to be slaves.

PlacePlace

Human • HIV/AIDS – There are about 3x the amount of people in the

Caribbean with HIV/AIDS than in the USA.• Fertility Decline – Cuba now allows abortion and birth control.• Migration – Caribbean diaspora – people from here move all around

the world– Circular Migration – A temporary move where individuals move for work

overseas– Chain migration – Moving to a certain destination

• Cities – Mechanization of agriculture, offshore industirialization, rapid growth population, (rural-to-urban migration)

MovementMovement

People• The Caribbean people use boats to travel from island to island.• Taxis are also used to move around in the cities.• Airplanes to fly in and out of the Caribbean.• Many people emigrated to other Caribbean islands, North America,

and Europe because of the region’s limited economic opportunities.• Caribbean Diaspora- the economic flight of Caribbean peoples

across the globe• Slave Trade• Labor related migration• Tourism• Runaway slaves• Chain Migration• Circular Migration

MovementMovement

Goods• Exports• Ports• Railroad

MovementMovement

Ideas• Caribbean languages have origins in African languages.• European cultures are merged with many Caribbean festivals and

original cultures such as the Ciboney, the Taino, and the Caribs.• Many blends with European, African, Asian, and Middle Eastern

influences.• Creolization- African and European cultures blended in the

Caribbean• Plantation America• Asian Immigration• Neo- African colonization

Interaction Between Humans and Interaction Between Humans and The EnvironmentThe Environment

Change• Deforestation

– Uses land for farming, ranching, and building houses

• Warm climate - air conditioners are used in buildings to cool.

• Irrigation is used to bring water to dry land for farming.• Mangroves swamps cleared out for beach space for

increased tourism.

Interaction Between Humans and Interaction Between Humans and The EnvironmentThe Environment

Adapt• Grow sugar cane to make large profit• Coffee in mountains (Greater Antilles) because it grows

well there.• Growing bananas in tropical regions for profit• Houses in flood areas are built on stilts to keep above

water.• Firewood and charcoal used for energy because of lack

of energy source• Countries attract tourists to already nice climates with

cruise ships, resorts, etc.

RegionRegion

Physical

• Rimland Forest• Caribbean Sea• Antillean Islands• Greater Antilles• Lesser Antilles • Palm Savannas• Mangrove Swamp

RegionRegion

Political

• Neocolonialism• FTAA• Cuba’s Communist• UN• Dependant Territories

RegionRegion

Economic

• FTZ’s• Offshore Banking• WTO• CARICOM• Tourist Areas• Free Trade Area of the Americas

RegionRegion

Culture

• Creolization• Neo-Africa