The document summarizes the 5 themes of geography as they relate to the Caribbean region. It discusses the location, physical and human characteristics of place, how people, goods, and ideas move within the region, how humans interact with and adapt to the environment, and the physical, political, economic, and cultural characteristics that define the region. The Caribbean islands are located in the Caribbean Sea between North and South America, and have a tropical climate with rainforests, mangroves, and coral reefs. The region has been influenced by European colonization and the slave trade, resulting in a blending of African, European, and indigenous cultures.

1. 5 Themes of Geography5 Themes of Geography
The CaribbeanThe Caribbean
Period 4Period 4
Group 5Group 5

2. LocationLocation
Relative-
– In the Caribbean Sea, in between North and South
America, and East and North East of Central
America.
Exact-
– 26° North to 11° North
– 85° West to 61° West

3. PlacePlace
Physical 1/2
• Rainforests
• Caribbean Sea
• Antillean Islands
– Greater Antilles
• made up of Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican
republic), and Puerto Rico
– Lesser Antilles
• made up of small islands from the virgin islands to Trinidad
• Palm Savannas
• Mangrove Swamp

4. PlacePlace
Physical 2/2
• Climate
– warm year-round because of proximity to equator
– abundant rainfall- 80+ inches
• Different amounts of rainfall due to Inter-Tropical Convergency Zone.
– hurricanes
• Environmental Issues
– deforestations
– coastal pollution
• Rimland Forests
– Coastal zone of the mainland

5. PlacePlace
Human
• Music – Rhythmic beats
• Language – mostly European languages, (Spanish, French, English,
and Dutch dominate other languages)
• Creolization – Blending of cultures like African, Euporean,
Amerindian.
• Religion – Voodoo in Haiti, Cuba, and Jamica
• Plantation – mono-crop production
• Immigration – when Asians immigrated, indentured labor was made
so there would be no labor shortages
• Maroons and African diaspora – Africans were take nfrom their
homes and forced to be slaves.

6. PlacePlace
Human
• HIV/AIDS – There are about 3x the amount of people in the
Caribbean with HIV/AIDS than in the USA.
• Fertility Decline – Cuba now allows abortion and birth control.
• Migration – Caribbean diaspora – people from here move all around
the world
– Circular Migration – A temporary move where individuals move for work
overseas
– Chain migration – Moving to a certain destination
• Cities – Mechanization of agriculture, offshore industirialization,
rapid growth population, (rural-to-urban migration)

7. MovementMovement
People
• The Caribbean people use boats to travel from island to island.
• Taxis are also used to move around in the cities.
• Airplanes to fly in and out of the Caribbean.
• Many people emigrated to other Caribbean islands, North America,
and Europe because of the region’s limited economic opportunities.
• Caribbean Diaspora- the economic flight of Caribbean peoples
across the globe
• Slave Trade
• Labor related migration
• Tourism
• Runaway slaves
• Chain Migration
• Circular Migration

8. MovementMovement
Goods
• Exports
• Ports
• Railroad

9. MovementMovement
Ideas
• Caribbean languages have origins in African languages.
• European cultures are merged with many Caribbean
festivals and original cultures such as the Ciboney, the
Taino, and the Caribs.
• Many blends with European, African, Asian, and Middle
Eastern influences.
• Creolization- African and European cultures blended in
the Caribbean
• Plantation America
• Asian Immigration
• Neo- African colonization

10. Interaction Between Humans andInteraction Between Humans and
The EnvironmentThe Environment
Change
• Deforestation
– Uses land for farming, ranching, and building houses
• Warm climate - air conditioners are used in buildings to
cool.
• Irrigation is used to bring water to dry land for farming.
• Mangroves swamps cleared out for beach space for
increased tourism.

11. Interaction Between Humans andInteraction Between Humans and
The EnvironmentThe Environment
Adapt
• Grow sugar cane to make large profit
• Coffee in mountains (Greater Antilles) because it grows
well there.
• Growing bananas in tropical regions for profit
• Houses in flood areas are built on stilts to keep above
water.
• Firewood and charcoal used for energy because of lack
of energy source
• Countries attract tourists to already nice climates with
cruise ships, resorts, etc.

12. RegionRegion
Physical
• Rimland Forest
• Caribbean Sea
• Antillean Islands
• Greater Antilles
• Lesser Antilles
• Palm Savannas
• Mangrove Swamp

13. RegionRegion
Political
• Neocolonialism
• FTAA
• Cuba’s Communist
• UN
• Dependant Territories

14. RegionRegion
Economic
• FTZ’s
• Offshore Banking
• WTO
• CARICOM
• Tourist Areas
• Free Trade Area of the Americas

15. RegionRegion
Culture
• Creolization
• Neo-Africa