The Caribbean: Physical Environment

The Caribbean: Physical Environment

• Climate in nice most of the year, although rainy from May to November

• Trade winds – blow from east across the Atlantic Ocean and have a pleasant cooling effect

• There are 2 ‘sides’ to the islands; the windward & leeward

The Caribbean: Physical EnvironmentCharacteristics Windward Leeward

Rainfall Rainfall levels are higher Lower rainfall levels

Vegetation Dense Vegetation (tropical, green)

Less vegetation (desert, grassy)

Coastal Landforms Coasts are rockier with stronger ocean currents

Coasts are sandier with weaker ocean currents

Location of Tourist Resorts Few resorts here Most resorts here

The Caribbean: Physical Environment

• 3 main types of islands1. Low lying• Limestone islands with offshore coral reefs• Long white beaches

2. Mountainous Volcanic• Green, lush mountains• Old volcanoes• Higher rainfall• Fewer hours of sunshine

3. Large islands• Similar structure to the volcanic islands, but with a wider variety

of landscapes

The effect of mountain range on precipitation

• As moist air rises over a mountain, the water in the clouds condenses and falls as rain. By the time wind reaches the top of mountain it is dry. The other side of the mountain receives little or no rain.

The effect of mountain range on precipitation

• The effect of mountain ranges increases with the heights of the mountain involved. The higher the mountain, the drier the leeward side.

• All Caribbean islands have this effect to some degree. The islands marked windward or leeward are most affected.

Advantages of the Caribbean Environment for Tourists

• warm climate throughout the year• beautiful beaches• scenic landscapes• similar culture• excellent for water sports• modern travel and accommodation facilities in major

centres• most foods locally supplied• within short travelling distance of major market (North

America)

Disadvantages of the Caribbean Environment for Tourists

• remote locations, sometimes involve changes in modes of transport

• infrastructure travelling to more remote places sometimes to Canada in need of improvement

• occasional severe tropical storms• some tropical diseases

Hurricanes

• Hurricanes can case server loss of life and devastate economies

• Actually only hit 2-3 times every 100 years ‘• Hurricane season runs from late August to

beginning of November • Most Caribbean hurricanes start off the west

coast of Africa• Winds must hit 74 mph (119 km/hr) to be

considered a hurricane

How a Hurricane develpops

• National Geographic - Hurricanes 101

Stage 1

• Northeast trade winds meet with the southeast winds around the equator. The earth’s rotation forces the winds into a spin.

Stages 2

• Warm water in ocean is actually pulled up by the winds, until it reaches the upper part of the atmosphere where it cools, condenses and forms rain. A tropical storm is formed.

Stage 3

• Hurricane growth is controlled by– a) amount of sea water it

travels over– b) how hot the wind is

• Most tropical storms stay close to shore so they never have a chance to pick up steam.

• A mean for all season; 4 Hurricanes hit hard – CBC News & Review