Caribbean Studies Structured questions

1. Two ways in which the Caribbean region can be geographically located are:
coordinates such as lines of latitude and lines of longitudes. Another way is the
Caribbean Sea, rimmed by islands and the main land’s territories of central and
south America.
2. Four geographical sub regions of the Caribbean are: Bahamas, Bermuda, Greater
Antilles and Mexico.
3. (A). geological definition of the Caribbean region: The Caribbean is based on the
concept of the Caribbean basin, where the Caribbean Sea is rimmed by mainland
territories of central and south America. The Caribbean region can also be defined
using the lines of latitude and longitude.

(B). Historical definition of the Caribbean region: The idea that the region shares
similar historical process, regardless of our English, Spanish, Dutch or French colonial
connections. The historical processes include the occupation of the area of the
indigenous peoples, the African slavery and indenturship, colonialism, the
development of plantation economy and plantation society, independence and
forging a free society out of such experiences. Language embodies these cultural
differences and presents the major distinguishing factor that delimits the Caribbean
region from Latin America.
The European influence looms larger than that of the indigenous people, even
though they were brought here later as indentured laborers.
4.
Two forces that are influencing the Caribbean urging a definition ‘wider Caribbean
region’: the Caribbean’s culture has historically been influenced by that of the
African and Amerindian traditions. It has also been strongly influenced by that of its
linguistic, economic and cultural neighbor, the united states with the gradual
loosening of political and cultural ties to the United Kingdom, in the 20 th century
immigrants from the Europeans, Africans, Caribbean and Asians nationalities have
shaped Caribbean identity, a process that continues today with the arrival of
significant numbers of immigrants from non- British or French backgrounds, adding
the theme of multiculturalism to the debate.
Interculteration also is the mutual exchange of cultural traits among cultures in the
Caribbean society and this too can influence the Caribbean in being a wider
Caribbean region.