ASSIGNMENT

“The ideal way to describe the Caribbean is by using the political and definitions.” With

the use of examples discuss the extent to which you agree with this statement.

Total 30 marks.

The Caribbean is primarily an archipelago of islands situated between the continents of North

and South America, stretching from the Florida Panhandle to the Venezuelan coast in an easterly

and southern direction. How does one really define the Caribbean? The Caribbean can be defined

using political, historical, geological, geographical and diasporic definitions. The researcher

believes to some extent that the ideal way to describe the Caribbean is by using political and

historical definitions.

The states that have acquired politically autonomy from the colonial powers that historically

dominated the region are referred to as being part of the political Caribbean. In the Caribbean

there are independent states, associated states, republic states and dependent states. Some

countries were once colonies of the Spanish, French, English and Dutch monarchs. Even though,

Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana are geographically located in the Caribbean they are

not considered part of the political Caribbean since they are departments of France which makes

them official French territory. The same can be said about Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba

which are provinces of the Netherlands. The political definition of the Caribbean is too complex

because of the unique political history and status of these countries.

The historical Caribbean refers to the area that saw the impact of European colonization, slavery,

plantation and indentureship. Territories such as Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, Bahamas and some
countries that consider themselves to be a part of South America all fall under the historical

definition of the Caribbean. All these territories experienced rulership of European Monarchies

hence the Caribbean is divided into English, French, Dutch and Spanish speaking territories. All

areas of the historical Caribbean experienced similar historical processes such as: colonialism,

African slavery, genocide of the indigenous peoples and socio-economic development related to

the plantation. South American countries such as Venezuela and Panama by historical definition

are a part of the Caribbean however persons in those territories interpret their space as being

more Latin American than Caribbean. Historical and cultural ties which is acknowledged by

Caribbean people is more important in defining the region than geography. Defining the

Caribbean historically, however, has some minor flaws some countries that would be considered

Caribbean by history interpret their space as being Latin American.

One would like to conclude that there is really no ideal way to describe the Caribbean. In

defining the Caribbean all definitions must be considered. However, it would be more accurate to

define the Caribbean using history than politics.