Caribbean Islands

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The response address the queries posted in 4275 words with references.
//In this part, we will talk about the regional history of Caribbean Islands, Caribbean before European contact and so on. So, we will write about Caribbean Islands under the heading of Introduction and various subheading.//

Regional history

Caribbean has played a significant role in the colonial struggles of the European powers since the fifteenth century. This can be revealed by studying the history of the region. In the twentieth century, again the Caribbean was important through the II World War, in the tension between Communist Cuba and the United States (US), and in the decolonization wave in the post-war period. Genocide, slavery, immigration and rivalry amid world powers have given Caribbean history an impact disproportionate to the size of this small region.

The Caribbean before European contact

The southern Trinidad at Banwari Trace displays the oldest evidence of humans in the Caribbeans. At this place, 7,000-year-old remains have been found. Ortoiroid is name, which has been given to these pre-ceramic sites, which belong to the Archaic (pre-ceramic) age. It is not sure that the Ortoiroid colonisation of the islands took place and there is slight evidence for it.

Between 400 BCE and 200 BCE; the first agriculturalists using ceramic (the Saladoid culture) came into Trinidad from South America. They extended down the Orinoco River to Trinidad, and then quickly to the islands of the Caribbean. A short time after 250 CE, another group, the Barrancoid entered Trinidad.

At the time when the Europeans discovered the majority of the Caribbean islands, there were three major Amerindian indigenous peoples who were living on the islands; including the Taíno in the Greater Antilles, the Ciboney in western Cuba, The Bahamas and the Leeward Islands, the Island Caribs and Galibi in the Windward Islands. The first European discoverer was Christopher Columbus who traveled to the America, but just after that, both Portuguese and Spanish ships started to claim territories in Central and South America.

//Above, we discussed about Caribbean islands under the heading of regional history and Caribbean before European contact part. Now, in this part we will talk about Spanish conquest, and Border disputes.//

Spanish conquest

Throughout the first voyage of Christopher Columbus (directed mandated by the Spanish crown to conquer), contact was made with the Lucayans in the Bahamas and the Taíno in Cuba and northern coast of Hispaniola. A small number of other people were taken to Spain. Little amounts of gold were found in their personal ornaments and other objects. The Spanish, who came seeking wealth, enslaved the native population and rapidly drove them to near-extinction.

After the decline of the Spanish Empire, the other European powers established a presence in the Caribbean. Francis Drake was an English privateer and he attacked several Spanish ships and forts in the Caribbean. The capture of the Spanish Silver Train at Nombre de Dios in March, 1573 was his most notable Caribbean exploit.

There were several wars in the Caribbean region in its history. Large British and French fleets battled in the Caribbean region many times during the American Revolution. The French naval victories in the Caribbean ensured independence. The French Revolution led to the creation of the Republic of Haiti. The Spanish control of Cuba and Puerto Rico came to an end with the Spanish-American War and it indicated the period of American dominance of the islands.

Relations with the US

The United States gained a major influence on most Caribbean nations, from the time when the Monroe Doctrine was implemented. In the early part of the twentieth century, the US participated in The Banana Wars and the areas outside British or French control came to be known as "America's tropical empire". After the victory in the Spanish-American war and the signing of the Platt amendment in 1901, the United States also gained the right to interfere in Cuban political and economic affairs militarily, if required.

Border disputes

Land and maritime border disputes represent a traditional threat to the Caribbean society. These issues arise due to the competition over the resources like the offshore hydrocarbons and extends to the natural and man made cultural assets like coral reefs. There is the highest density of the established maritime boundaries of the Caribbean states in the world. The Caribbean basin consists of 26 independent states, 8 insular independencies and 3 French overseas departments. A total of 19 land boundaries are shared by them. Some of the disputes include that of between Cuba and United States under which Cuba protested to the US for the base on Guantanamo and between Haiti and United States, which is now managed.

//Above, we discussed about Caribbean Islands, now moving to the next part in which we will talk about similarities between group countries of Caribbean Islands. In this part, basically we consider similarities on the basis of language, food, religion, lining conditions, etc. //

There are many similarities among the group countries of the Caribbean islands. Most of them include the language, religion, food, clothing, sports, living conditions, education, employment, crafts and hobbies, etc. The official language of many of the countries is Spanish. Majority of these countries share a common culture, which is a combination of the Spanish, European and African traditions. Art, music and literature are partly developed on the western patterns. Besides, all the counties of the Caribbean have a considerable amount of income, which comes from agriculture and contributes to the economy. Traditionally, among the middle class and the upper class, the extended family household having a dominant male figure has become the standard rule.

Another similarity is the clothing. All the people in these countries generally follow the modern western style of dressing. One very popular similarity among the countries of Cuba, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic is that the people in these countries are very fond of playing football. This sport is common in all the three countries. Moreover, food is also quite similar in these countries; for example rice is the staple food in these places.

//Above, we talked about similarities among group countries of the Caribbean islands. As per directions, now we will talk about SWOT analysis of Caribbean islands countries in order to key out strength, weakness, opportunities and threats.//

SWOT analysis - Bahamas

Strengths

· The basic infrastructure of Bahamas is correctly in place and an information technology industry can be built upon it. In the last 10 years, some main roads in Nassau and other most populated islands have been improved by the government. Several changes have been implemented so as to alleviate traffic congestion on major roads in Nassau, which provide full electricity and improved airports.

· Tourism and financial service industry is a major strength.

Weaknesses

· The telecommunication service is at times insufficient but operational enough for everyday correspondence. There is slow mail service both on the islands and between other countries; but, the ...