Compass: Caribbean and Atlantic

“We must go beyond textbooks, go out into the bypaths and untrodden depths of the wilderness and travel and explore and tell the world the glories of our journey.”

-John Hope Franklin

Feel the hypnotic rhythm, savor the explosive flavors and experience the rich cultural heritage of the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean islands. The Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean region is known for inviting sandy beaches, crystal blue water, tropical flavors, amazing seafood, unique spices and a perfect blend of cultures. All of these things combine to make a wonderful holiday vacation in popular Caribbean islands. However, the Caribbean and Atlantic region is also tied to cultural and historical connections to slavery and European colonization.

Explore the history of the popular Caribbean islands and each island’s respective cultural heritage that was shaped by indigenous groups like the Amerindians, Kalinago people, Garafuna tribe, Carib and Arawaks. Learn how the influx of Asians and Europeans influenced architecture, gastronomy and traditions.The following Island countries make up the Caribbean region. Each of these islands also holds thousands of smaller islands within their domain.

Caribbean islands include: Anguilla, Aruba, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Caribbean Netherlands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Maarten, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States Virgin Islands. Some continental countries like Colombia, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama and Venezuela also have islands in the Caribbean.