Caribbean Islands

1. Caribbean Islands Mrs. Barrow’s 5th Grade Social Studies

2. The islands of the Caribbean, or the West Indies, are a group of archipelagos • The West Indies include thousands of islands that form an arc for more than 2,000 miles • In 1942 ChristopherColumbus gave these islands the name West Indies • 40 million people live in this area • The Caribbean islands are divided up into 3 major regions • Bahama Archipelago • Greater Antilles • Lesser Antilles Political features

3. Political featuresBahamas

4. Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and PuertoRico • Hispaniola • Haiti & DominicanRepublic Political featuresGreater Antilles

5. Political featuresGreater Antilles

6. Leeward Islands & Windward Islands Political featuresLesser Antilles

7. Atlantic Ocean • Caribbean Sea • Gulf of Mexico • Bahamas • Mostly islands made up of coral and limestone • Pico Durate • Highest mountain in the Caribbean. Found in Dominican Republic • Dominican Republic • Martinique & Saint Vincent • Active volcanoes are found on these islands Physical Features

8. Climate is the most important natural resource • Warm tropical climate supports agriculture and tourism (which provide 80% of all jobs) • Sugar cane is the most important agricultural product • The tropical climate, sandy white beaches, and beautiful scenery attract millions of tourists to these islands • Tourism is a major tertiary industry Natural Resources

9. Sugar Cane

10. Beaches

11. Trade winds • Bring cooling temperatures to the islands from the Atlantic Ocean • Steady flow of air from the trade winds reduce the heat from the sun’s direct rays. This gives the area the even temperatures throughout the year. • Hurricanes • Summer season • Violent tropical storms that bring heavy winds and rain Climate & Weather

12. Trade winds