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Sunset on Montserrat

The islands of the Caribbean Sea or West Indies are an extensive archipelago in the far west of the Atlantic Ocean, mostly strung between North and South America. They've long been known as a resort vacation destination for honeymooners and retirees, but a small movement toward eco-tourism and backpacking has started to open up the Caribbean to more independent travel. With year-round good weather (with the minor exception of hurricane season in the late summer and early fall), promotional air fares from Europe and North America, and hundreds of islands to explore, the Caribbean offers something for almost everyone.

[edit] Understand

The Caribbean islands were first inhabited by the Arawak Indians, then were invaded by a more aggressive tribe, the Caribs. Unfortunately, neither could appreciate their victory forever, although the Arawaks may have had a quiet reign of nearly two millenia. Then the Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, French, Danish, and British, colonised their lands, subjecting the Arawaks to genocide. The islands have known many historic battles and more than a few pirate stories.

[edit] Regions

[edit] Greater Antilles

To the south and southeast of Florida, are four relatively large islands (hence the name), encompassing the following states and territories:

Regions of the Caribbean

[edit] Lesser Antilles

In an arc between the Greater Antilles and along the north coast of South America are dozens of small tropical islands:

[edit] Other islands and territories

These countries are not in the Caribbean basin but are variously close to it, and are commonly associated with the Caribbean (e.g. members of CARICOM, the Caribbean Community).

• The Bahamas – a cluster of islands north of the Greater Antilles and southeast of Florida.

• Bermuda – some distance to the north of the Caribbean, but commonly associated with the region.

• Navassa Island – uninhabited wildlife refuge, part of the United States, also claimed by Haiti

• Turks and Caicos Islands – a cluster of islands south of the Bahamas

• French Guiana, Guyana and Suriname – culturally and economically a part of the region, but geographically on mainland South America.

• Several countries in Central America, South America and Mexico have shorelines – and islands – in the Caribbean.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

• From Europe to:
  • Antigua and Barbuda (ANU) from London (LGW),Manchester (MAN) by BA, BMI, Virgin, XL and from Frankfurt (FRA) by Condor
  • Barbados, Bridgetown (BGI) from London, Manchester by Virgin, BA, Caribbean Airlines, XL and from Frankfurt by Condor
  • Cuba from London (LGW)by Virgin, Air Jamaica, from Madrid (MAD) by Iberia, from Paris (CDG) by Air France and from all three by Cubana
  • Grenada, Point Saline (GND) from UK by Virgin, BA, Excel from Germany Condor
  • Saint Lucia, Hewanorra (UVF) from London (LGW) by Virgin, BA, Caribbean Airlines and from Manchester (MAN) by Virgin
  • Martinique Fort-de-France (FDF) from Paris by Air France, Air Caribes (cheapest from Germany ?)
  • Tobago (TAB), from London (LGW) by BA, Virgin, XL and from Frankfurt (FRA) by Condor
  • Trinidad, Port-of-Spain (POS) from London by Caribbean Airlines
  • Turks & Caicos Islands (PLS), from London (LHR) through Nassau, Bahamas

• Airlines:
  • Air Caraibes [1]: from Paris to Guadeloupe, Martinique
  • Air France [2]: from Paris to Guadeloupe, Martinique
  • Air Jamaica[3]: London to Jamaica and Cuba
  • American Airlines to Puerto Rico from Miami
  • British Airways [4]: from London (LGW) to Antigua, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Tobago and from Manchaster to Saint Lucia
  • Caribbean Airlines [5]: from London to Barbados, Saint Lucia, London - Antigua, Belfast - Tobago (see BWIA Route map [6])
  • Cayman Airways[7]: from the Cayman Islands to multiple gateways in the US
  • Condor/Thomas Cook [8]: from Frankfurt (FRA), see Condor Route map [9]
  • Cubana [10]: To Cuba from Madrid, Paris, London
  • JetBlue to Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Saint Maarten, and Barbados from NYC
  • Lufthansa Airlines [11]: To Boston, Antigua, Barbados from Beijing
  • Virgin Atlantic [12]: from London to Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Havana, Jamaica, St Lucia, Tobago and from Manchester to Barbados and St Lucia
  • XL [13]: from London to Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, St Kitts, St Lucia, Tobago

[edit] Get around

Numerous companies offer cruises, charters, and boat tours in the Caribbean.

[edit] By plane

• LIAT has connections between most caribbean islands
• American Eagle is another notable air carrier between islands