| The Caribbean is unlike any other place in the world. It | | | | 3. The islands have been host to some of the most |
| is home to some of the most beautiful islands and | | | | famous people the world has ever known. For |
| waters you will find anywhere. You will see white | | | | example, Barbados was the only place outside of the |
| sandy beaches and crystal blue waters filled with | | | | United States that George Washington ever visited. |
| some amazing marine life. The cultures that you will | | | | The island of Grenada was also the first country to |
| encounter are among the most carefree and relaxing | | | | issue an Elvis Presley postage stamp. Nearly every |
| in the world. There is truly no thing like visiting this area. | | | | celebrity has graced some Caribbean islands at some |
| There are many interesting things that you probably | | | | point in their history. |
| didn't know about these territories. | | | | 4. While mentioning Barbados, you should know that |
| Let's take a look at some of the interesting facts | | | | they have the oldest representative legislature in the |
| about this region: | | | | Caribbean. They have been governing the island since |
| 1. One of the most amazing Caribbean facts is that | | | | 1639 and show no signs of slowing down. This is quite |
| most of the residents are descendants of African | | | | an accomplishment for any authority. |
| slaves. They were brought there to work and once | | | | 5. One of the most mind blowing facts that you'll ever |
| slavery ended, they remained in the paradise like | | | | hear is that only about 2% of the islands are inhabited. |
| conditions. There is not a central culture to all of the | | | | Think about all of the islands that you have heard of. |
| different islands. Much of the culture descended from | | | | There is quite a list and all of these are inhabited. Now |
| the European countries that founded the islands. For | | | | consider that that figure only represents 2% of the |
| example, the islands of: Haiti, Martinique, and | | | | total islands that are down there. That is pretty |
| Guadeloupe have a very rich French heritage. Many of | | | | amazing in itself. |
| them speak French or with that accent and observe | | | | 6. The culture and economy of the majority of these |
| many of that nations customs. | | | | nations is tied heavily to the United States. All of the |
| 2. On the same note a strange arrangement has been | | | | trade with these islands is conducted only with the |
| going on in St. Martin for hundreds of years. The Dutch | | | | USA. This country is linked directly with their current |
| and French have shared the island for over 350 years | | | | culture and economy. |
| now. This becomes even more amazing when you | | | | Overall, the Caribbean islands are an amazing place to |
| come to realize that it is only 37 square miles in land | | | | visit or live. If you have never been there, you should |
| mass. It makes it the smallest shared area in the world. | | | | check them out immediately. There is a good chance |
| While it is tiny, the two countries have coexisted nicely | | | | that you will never see another place as beautiful in |
| over the years with minimal problems. | | | | your life. |