Caribbean Studies: Defining the Caribbean

What is the most common definition of the Caribbean?

What is the most common definition of the Caribbean?

The Caribbean is most notably recognized as the region of islands between the continental masses of North and South America, that is surrounded by the Caribbean Sea.

The Caribbean is more accurately portrayed by its 5 definitions, what are they?

• Geographical Definition

• Geological Definition

• Historical Definition 

• Political Definition

• Diasporic Definition

How is the Caribbean defined geographically?

Defined geographically, the Caribbean is the region washed by the Caribbean Sea or it can be thought of as the West Indies and its surrounding mainland territories. It can also be defined using coordinates such as lines of latitude and longitude in which the Caribbean stretches from 60° to 85° West of the Greenwich Meridian (longitude) and 10° to 25° North of the Equator (latitude).

What is the basis for defining the Caribbean region geographically? 

The geographic definition of the Caribbean is based on the concept of a ‘Caribbean Basin’ where the central identifying feature is the Caribbean Sea, rimmed by islands and the mainland territories of Central and South America.

What countries would be included in the Geographic definition of the Caribbean? State at least 5.

• Greater Antilles: Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico

• Lesser Antilles (the archipelago): Dominica, Martinique, Barbados, Grenada, Trinidad & Tobago

Physical Geography can only define and locate a space in terms of landforms and water bodies. Trying to delimit Caribbean society and culture using physical geography results in problems. What are some criticisms of the Geographical definition of the Caribbean? (Hint: 3).

• First, The Bahamas are not ‘washed by’ the Caribbean Sea and so do not fit into the strict geographical definition, yet they are accepted as part of the Caribbean. 

• Second, Panama, Columbia, Belize, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras are situated on the mainland of Central America, but are still included as part of the geographical definition of the Caribbean because they are washed by the Caribbean Sea.

• Third, the mainland territories of Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana are located on the mainland of South America and border the Atlantic Ocean, which means that geographically they are considered South American and so are excluded from the geographical definition of the Caribbean. However they share the linguistic, historical and demographic features of Caribbean countries rather than their Latin or Central American neighbours

How is the Caribbean defined Geologically?

The geological Caribbean refers to the area defined by the Caribbean Plate that shares similar seismic, tectonic and volcanic features and processes.

What is the basis for defining the Caribbean region Geologically?

The defining feature here is the Caribbean Plate, which has marked boundaries or margins where it meets other tectonic plates.

What are some criticisms of the Geological definition of the Caribbean?  (hint: 3 )

• The western edge of the Caribbean Plate lies in the Pacific, yet the geological boundary determines the Caribbean to extend only as far as the Western or Pacific coastline of Central America. 

• The northern edge of the plate is determined by the line of the Greater Antilles, which leaves Belize, Cuba and The Bahamas as outside of the region.

• In the south, the line of the plate runs through Trinidad, northern Venezuela and Colombia, causing Guyana to be classified as extra-regional.

What is the Historical definition of the Caribbean?

The historical Caribbean refers to the countries that have shared experiences of European colonisation , slavery, indentureship , the plantation system and other historical processes.These historical processes include occupation of the area by the indigenous peoples, European exploration and settlement, genocide and war waged against the indigenes. The Caribbean is also defined as all the countries which have experienced rulership of European Monarchies thus the Caribbean is broken into English, French, Dutch and Spanish speaking territories.

What are some definitive features of the Caribbean that are depenedent on the historical definition?

• Language 

• Cultural Practices 

• Religion

• Economic Activities

What are some criticsms of the historical definition of the Caribbean? (hint: 2)

• Although colonisation is a shared feature of the ‘historical’ Caribbean, within this there are also fundamental differences between the territories. Some territories have been colonised by different powers and thus function differently today on a lingusitic, cultural and economical level. 

• Countries such as Guyana, Suriname and the Bahamas are included in the historical definition despite them being exluded in the geographical and geological definitions. 

Give 3-5 examples of countries from each linguistic territoty of the Caribbean.

• English Speaking (members of the commonwealth): Jamaica, Barbaods, Guyana, the Bahamas and Trinidiad & Tobago

• Spanish Speaking: Cuba, Puerto Rico, Domnican Republic 

• French Speaking: Haiti, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Martin, French Guiana

• Dutch Speaking: Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Suriname, St, Maarten 

How is the Caribbean defined Politically?

The political Caribbean can be defined as those states that have achieved political autonomy from colonial powers that were once dominant in the region;  refer to the socio-economic and other groupings found in the region.

What is the political definition of the Caribbean based on?

• The political Caribbean is defined based on its government systems of independent states, associate states and colonial dependencies.

• Another way to politically defi ne the Caribbean is in terms of a shared history of colonial rule. 

What are the modern socio-economic groupings in the Caribbean?

• The Association of Caribbean States (ACS): is a union of almost all the nations located in the Caribbean Basin inclusive of El Salvador in the Pacific, whose aim is to promote consultation, cooperation and concerted action among all countries in the caribbean.

• The Caribbean Community (CARICOM): is an organisation of 15 Caribbean nations and five dependencies or associated members who purpose is to promote economic integration and cooperation among members.

Define the following terms and include countries that fall under each system: Independent State, Associated State and Colonial Dependencies.

• Independent State:  Independent states are former colonies which are now self-governing, for example, Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago.

   

• Associated States: Associated States are territories which are not independent but enjoy all the rights and privileges of the country that governs it.  Examples include Puerto Rico, Dominica and Anguilla.

• Colonial Dependencies: Colonial Dependencies are territories which are directly governed by other countries but do not enjoy the rights and privileges that's enjoyed by inhabitants in an associated state. Example: British Virgin Islands, Monsterrat, Cayman Islands.

The complex political relationship within the Caribbean is also a great determining factor of a countries economy. Give 2 examples of countries with differing forms of governance and how this affects their economy.

• Cuba is a communist country. Here the economic ideology advocates for a classless society where all properties and wealth are controlled by the state, and resources are districuted based on needs.

• Guyana is a republic country. Here, power is held by the people and they select a representative on their behalf in periodic elections. Here greater freedom is allowed and the pursuit of economic wealth benefits everyone.

What is a criticism of the political definition of the Caribbean?

Martinique and Guadeloupe are not Caribbean countries although they are located in the Caribbean because in the 1950s they became extensions of France in the Caribbean.

What is the Diasporic definition of the Caribbean?

This consist of a large number of persons of Caribbean descent living outside of their countries of nationality. These people, despite now living elsewhere, still identify themselves in some way with the Caribbean region.

What are the 3 aspects of the diaspora?

• Individuals or groups from the region who have migrated to other areas outside of the Caribbean, but still consider their original country as home.

• Individuals and groups who have a connection to the region in general (natives, descendants or some other affiliation), and are influential and committed to its economic development. 

• Descendants of people from the region who have been born outside the Caribbean and yet identify themselves based on the first generation’s heritage.

Where is the Caribbean diaspora located?

It is mainly located in North American countries and those that were former colonial empires such as France, Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

What are some criticsms of the Diasporic definition of the Caribbean?

• The Diasporic definition is too extensive as it suggests that the Caribbean is all over the world. 

• There are problems in identifying the role of Caribbean people outside of the physical space. For example, some people in the diaspora believe that they should have the right to vote in local elections.