Many people decide to go on vacation to the Caribbean, but there is hardly one popular destination within this wealth of islands. There are actually over fifty different Caribbean islands, with some of them being small and secluded, and others being actual nations. Whatever the size or popularity of an island in the Caribbean, each is unique and has its own appeal. The Caribbean is so much more than a destinationit is a multiplicity of destinations that attract tourists from all over the world.
Falling Into Categories
The islands of the Caribbean can be categorized based on their locations and cultural influences. The first category of Caribbean islands is the Windward Islands, which is a line of volcanic islands facing the Trade Winds. The islands that make up this group are: Grenada, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, and Dominicana. St. Lucia is the most popular and toured island, while St. Vincent is the least touched. The characteristic that the Windward Islands are most famous for are their beautiful beaches. French influence is strong here, because the islands were once owned by the French. African heritage is present as well.
There are six Leewood Islands: Montserrat, St. Kitts, Nevis, Antigua, Anguilla, and Barbuda. They lie in two lines, and all are volcanic islands. Also known for their nice beaches, as well as for their coral limestone, the primary economic industry of the islands is tourism. All except two are independent, although all were once owned by the British.
The Virgin Islands belong to both the United States and the British, and the distinction between the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands is very clear. The U.S. Virgin Islands depend on tourism, while the British Virgin Islands are more secluded.
The French Antilles are overflowing with French culture, and are known both for their tourism and for their peaceful, authentic atmosphere. This group of islands include: Martinique, Les Saintes, La Desirade, Marie-Galante, St. Martin, and Saint-Barthelemy. Two of these islands are volcanically active.
Perhaps the most diverse of these groups is the Netherlands Antilles, which have a strong Dutch influence. The residents of these islands speak their own language, Papiamento, which is a combination of Spanish and Dutch with African, Portuguese, and English influences. The islands within this group include: Aruba, Sint Maarten, Curacao, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba.
Other Caribbean states are too far away from one another to be included in a distinct categorization, but they include: Jamaica, Cuba, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Cayman Islands. Puerto Rico is also included in this group.
Not What You Thought
Most that plan on visiting a Caribbean island are not aware of the number of choices they have, nor are they aware of the diversity located within the Caribbean. Being aware of these distinctions will play a role in the decision about which island to go to, and how you end up spending your vacation.
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