Caribbean Journey

Geography and Climate

Question #1: Label the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and Cuba on the political map on your notes.

Question #2: Read about, then draw, three examples of physical geography in the Caribbean region.

Many Caribbean island nations are considered archipelagos because they are a series of small islands. The Bahamas is an example of an archipelago. Tourists enjoy vacationing in the Caribbean to visit the beautiful beaches, swim in the coral reefs, and hike in the tropical rainforests found on many islands.

Tropical forests: these grow easily in the Caribbean due to the climate

Coral reef: home to millions of fish and underwater creatures

Archipelago (ark-uh-pel-ago): a series of islands

Question #3: What words BEST describe the climate of the Caribbean?

Question #4: What natural disasters is the Caribbean MOST at risk for due to its climate?

The climate in the Caribbean region can be described as tropical: it is known for warm temperatures and wet weather. This means most of the year it is very enjoyable, but it is also at a higher risk for tropical storms and hurricanes.

An aerial view of Hurricane Irma hitting the Caribbean in August 2017, and some of the damage it left behind. Irma was the strongest storm on record to hit the Atlantic Ocean, and the second costliest hurricane to hit the Caribbean.

Culture and Cultural Diffusion

Question #5: What are some examples of cultural diffusion in the Caribbean? Write at least TWO complete sentences on your handout.

During the 1800s, Europeans began colonizing the Caribbean. They started to take over different islands so they could use them for agriculture to make their economies more developed. The tropical climate in the Caribbean is perfect for growing many different kinds of fruits and crops.

When Europeans moved to the islands, they brought their culture with them, which led to a lot of cultural diffusion. For example, there are many different European languages spoken in the Caribbean today based on which country took over (colonized) each place. Cubans and Puerto Ricans speak Spanish, Jamaicans speak English, and Haitians speak French

The Spanish also brought their religion, Catholicism, with them to the islands they colonized. Today, the majority of Cubans and Puerto Ricans are Catholic due to the Spanish influence.

Islands that different European countries colonized (took over) during the 1800s. Today, there are many lasting cultural influences from these European countries due to cultural diffusion.

Religion is one example of cultural diffusion from Europe to the Caribbean.

When Europeans colonized the Caribbean, they also forced Africans into slavery to work on their plantations (large farms). Just like the Europeans, Africans brought parts of their culture with them when they were forced to move as slaves. This led to more cultural diffusion. Today, Caribbean food has a mix of influences from African slaves, European colonizers, and the native Caribbean Indians.

Jerk marinade used on meat was influenced by African slaves

Caribbean Creole cooking was influenced by the French

Scotch bonnet chilies in Caribbean food shows the influence of native Caribbean Indians

Coconut trees and sugarcane were brought to the Caribbean by Europeans

Question #6: What is Jamaica’s most popular type of music?

Reggae is the most popular style of music in Jamaica, one of the Caribbean island nations. It began to gain popularity in the 1960s, but wasn't really embraced by most Jamaicans until the 1970s.

Most reggae songs are about love, and today are influenced by Rastafariansim - a religion that began in Ethiopia, Africa but was brought to the Caribbean through cultural diffusion.

Bob Marley is probably the most famous reggae singer. He started singing in 1963 and released music until his death from skin cancer in 1981.

Economy

Question #7: Read about, then draw pictures of three major agricultural cash crops resources of the Caribbean.

Question #8: Do you think most nations in the Caribbean have a developed or developing economy?

Most Caribbean countries rely on cash crops for their economies. A cash crop is an agricultural product grown in large amounts to sell for a profit. Some of the most profitable Caribbean products are sugarcane, coffee, and fish.

This man is harvesting sugarcane, which will be processed down into sugar

These berries hold coffee beans, that will later be roasted and sold for us to drink

Fishing is very common in the Caribbean

All of the countries in the chart EXCEPT Canada and the USA are in the Caribbean

Because most Caribbean nations rely on agriculture for their economies, they tend to have a lower GDP (gross domestic product, aka how much money a country makes each year).

This chart shows how much money the average person makes each year in different countries in North America.

What do you notice about the Caribbean countries compared with Canada and the United States? What does this tell you about if their economy is developed or developing?

Question #9: Complete each step in the “cause and effect” charts.

Atlantis Hotel in the Bahamas

Snorkling is one of many popular water sports for tourists

A street vendor prepares jerk chicken to sell in Jamaica

Tourists take a kayak tour through a tropical rainforest in Puerto Rico

infrastructure = basic systems and services needed for a city to function; examples include traffic lights, roads, sewers, and power plants that make electricity