RYA Tactics
The perfect Tactical xmas present for your helm or crew
Personally signed by the author
RYA Tactics by Mark Rushall sheds a new light on the complexities of sailboat racing. No other sport requires the combination of so many elements – preparation, strategy, speed, tuning and most importantly tactics. However, it’s good tactics which can so often be that elusive missing skill.
As one of the sports top tacticians and coaches, and 2006 RYA Squad Coach of the Year, Mark’s book will help you sail better and improve your results. With easy to follow and logical diagrams, this book breaks new ground in presenting this essential and complex element of our sport.
“Covering almost every conceivable tactical situation, the book is a real tour de force by Rushall….yet comprises one of the easiest to read tactical situation books we have come across.” The Daily Sail, 1 May 07
“This book has come about from years of sailing and coaching at the highest level by an extremely analytical person. Mark …. is one of those annoying people who learnt from every sailing / coaching experience and has built an extensive memory bank of tactical scenarios and understanding.”
Chips Howarth, Fireball World Champion 2005
Tactics is the most comprehensive and accessible guide to racing yet. Providing an awesome and unique insight of sailboat tactics, it breaks down the race to tell you exactly what to think about, how and when to do it, and most importantly, why you should be doing it! No matter what your level of racing experience, you’ll have something to learn from Mark Rushall….”
Georgie Corlett, Editor, Dinghy Sailing Magazine
Start your 2008 season ready prepared and don’t go afloat without having read RYA Tactics.
Order your personally signed copy from www.rushall.net or for UK delivery send a cheque for £16 including P&P to:
Mark Rushall Tactics
Watermark Offices, 8 Lumley Gardens, Lumley Road, Emsworth, Hants, PO10 8AG, UK
International orders – please email tactics@rushall.net and postage rates will be advised.
Also available from www.rya.org.uk and most leading chandleries and book stores.
ENDS
Dinghy Sailing
On a Neilson dinghy sailing holiday, everyone is welcome, from complete beginners to enthusiastic improvers and accomplished experts looking for sunshine and the best conditions. Our approach to dinghy sailing tuition, and the type and quantity of equipment varies from club to club, ensuring that whatever your needs we have a holiday to suit your requirements perfectly.
Sailing means many things to different people. Some like to potter around over crystal clear waters while others crave the excitement of zooming across the waves on a high performance skiff.
Whatever your level of experience, the sense of freedom that comes from sailing is hard to beat. We offer the best boats, instructors and sailing areas together with free RYA training courses, enabling you to step aboard and take advantage of our 25 years of sailing experience.
Dinghy Sailing Tuition
National Sailing Scheme
We work closely with the RYA in developing the National Sailing Scheme. This progressive approach to tuition provides a tried-and-tested way to learn to sail. Holidays shouldn’t feel like school, so we endeavour to make everything from your first taster to high performance race techniques, as much fun as possible!
Start Sailing - Level 1
Great for those new to learn to sail holidays, Level 1 provides a comprehensive introduction to dinghy sailing. It is designed to get you on the water using modern, single-handed dinghies and requires no previous experience.
The course covers a wide variety of skills to enable you to sail confidently such as; wind awareness, rigging basics, knots and sailing theory.
Start Sailing is available in all of our centres.
Basic Skills - Level 2
Level 2 aims to fine-tune the skills and boat handling manoeuvres learnt at Level 1. The course sets out the foundations of sailing with the aim of producing competent light wind sailors who are able to sail and make informed decisions in good conditions.
You can expect to learn more advanced techniques in a variety of craft including; rigging according to weather conditions, coming alongside a moored boat, capsize recovery and essential safety background.
Try Finikounda – Great for the progressing beginner. Holiday sailing at it’s best!
Seamanship Skills
Moving on from Basic Skills, the main focus of this course is fine-tuning skills already learnt and boat handling manoeuvres, whilst increasing your self-reliance and decision making skills.
Day Sailing
We are able to endorse most sections of this course, enabling competent sailors to confidently plan and execute a safe day cruise, aspects covered include pilotage, interpretation of charts and use of GPS.
Finikounda is the main place to go for day sailing.
Sailing with Spinnakers
Sailing with Spinnakers teaches you how to sail a dinghy rigged with an asymmetric or symmetric spinnaker and some trapezing.
Try Porto Heli for a fantastic destination for a sailing holiday with tuition.
Start Racing
You will learn to race a variety of craft from single handers to performance boats. The aim is to gain a good understanding of the rules and techniques of racing, including the course and starting sequence, boat preparation, tactics and racing rules.
Performance Sailing
This is an advanced course for experienced sailors using high performance craft and covers a range of sessions including rigging, tuning, teamwork, trapezing, hiking, tacking and downwind sailing.
Porto Heli is the ideal place for performance sailing.
Dinghy Sailing Equipment
Advances in design and technology have continued to make dinghy sailing easier and more enjoyable than ever before. We've selected tghe best craft from leading British manufacturers Laser and RS, equipping our clubs with a range of kit to suit local wind and conditions.
Laser Funboats
Stable, safe and fun! Perfect for children. Available in all centres except Dahab
Laser Pico
A perfect beginners’ boat with easy-to-use controls. Available in all centres
Laser 1
The classic Olympic class single hander. Exciting sailing. Available in all centres except Vassiliki
Laser 2000
A popular boat for families and friends looking for a stable hull but no shortage of features.
Available in Halkidiki, Sivota, Ortakent, Finikounda and Porto Heli,
Laser 3000
A performance machine ideally suited to teenagers and lighter crews. Fast action with a spinnaker and trapeze. Available in Finikounda
Laser Bahia
A stable and spacious cockpit with space for up to 5 adults, together with a light hull and large gennaker makes a great day sail and cruising boat, with a performance edge.
Available in Lemnos and Lesvos
Laser 4000
Serious fun in the fast lane. A high performance skiff with adjustable racks and a large sail area. With tuition and practice, the 4000 flies. Available in Finikounda and Porto Heli
Laser Stratos
A good size family cruiser, the Stratos is ideal for day sailing, combining stability and performance features.Available in Lemnos, Lesvos, Halkidiki, Finikounda and Porto Heli
Laser Vago XD
Unmatched handling, versatility and exhilarating performance are harnessed by Laser in a unique modern design with high spec sails and trapeze. Available in Lemnos, Lesvos and Dahab
Dart 16
A popular catamaran equally at home pottering around on a day sail or on a trapezing joyride. The Dart 16 is a firm favourite in our centres. Available in all centres
Optimist
The definitive youth racer, the Optimist has traditionally been the first step on the road to success for competitive young sailors. Available in Porto Heli and Finikounda
RS Feva
A versatile dinghy, introducing several advanced features on a user friendly craft suited to younger sailors.Available in Finikounda, Porto Heli, Lemnos and Lesvos
RS 200
An easy to sail dinghy that brings the excitement of asymmetric sailing to everybody, including lighter sailors and youngsters. Available in Porto Heli
RS 400
LDC’s modern classic, a hiking asymmetric. The ultimate choice for the ambitious improver.
Available in Porto Heli
RS 500
Exciting performance with a simple user friendly layout and easy handling.Available in Porto Heli
RS 800
An exciting high performance skiff with twin trapeze that is remarkably easy for competent sailors to master.Available in Porto Heli and Finikounda
29er
A fast, exciting ride, the 29er is a high performance boat ideally suited to light weight sailors and youth racing.Available in Porto Heli
Children and Sailing Holidays
Hot Shots provides RYA tuition for 8-12 year olds whilst Starfish, Sea Urchins, Surfbusters and Sharksters provide fun for younger children and those less inclined to get out on the water.
Hot Shots
The water based activity club, for those that want it all: sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, snorkelling and plenty of sunshine, Hot Shots is the place to be.
Our fully qualified instructors help your youngsters master new skills and get first timers confident in no time at all. In-fact all our RYA qualified instructors will help your Hot Shots improve quickly, with the RYA Youth Sailing Awards, available to those who want to prove their skills.
When not out on the water, Hot Shots enjoy loads of land-based activities and making new friends has never been easier.
If your children are particularly interested in dinghy sailing, they will benefit from choosing a resort that specialises in that particular activity, such as Porto Heli
Hot Shots is open to all children ages 8-12 years and is available for a supplement of £80-£150 per week with the second week half price.
Where to go
Hot Shots is avilable in Lemnos, Finikounda, Vassiliki, Porto Heli and Dahab.
When not in our clubs, children under the age of 13 are welcome to windsurf with their parents. Children must be 13 years or over before they can join the adult windsurfing programme.
Flotilla Holidays
Flotilla Holidays - Another day. Another destination.
Explore hidden treasures every day; share your adventures in the evening with fellow sailors.
Life on flotilla is a holiday that just gets better every day.
Flotilla sailing holidays allow you to enjoy the independence of sailing your very own yacht from port to port during the day, but you also get to choose between pleasant evenings in the warm company of your fellow sailors, or spending them peacefully on your own deck.
On arrival
The Neilson Team will be there to greet you on arrival and show you to your yacht. Your lead crew will then join you on board to answer any questions you may have, show you where everything is and just check that everything is ship shape.
The remainder of the afternoon and evening is then yours to spend as you wish - enjoy a refreshing drink on deck, get to know some of your fellow sailors, explore the local area or stock up on any additional provisioning you require. You are then fully prepared for the start of your adventure the following day.
A day in the life…
As the morning sun peeps over your bow, your lead crew will join you for a chat about the day ahead, confirming the evening’s destination together with some great places to explore and idyllic lunch stops. Then as soon as everything’s ready, you’re free to slip your lines and set sail.
It’s entirely up to you and your crew how you reach your destination. You may want to race there before everybody else or meander there, anchoring for a lunch break and swim in a secluded bay. With the yacht to yourself, the day is yours to enjoy as you please. And if you wish to hook up with other parties on your flotilla they’re just a VHF radio call away - as is your lead crew, in case you need any help or advice.
As the afternoon drifts into evening and you glide into port, your lead crew will be waiting ashore to help you into your mooring, catch your lines and point out the location of shower facilities, bars and tavernas at your latest destination.
As the sun sets, you can settle in at one of the local tavernas, swapping stories with your fellow sailors over a bottle of wine and a hearty local meal. Of course, if all that sailing and sightseeing has taken it out of you, you can simply stay on your yacht and cook a meal in your own galley. That’s the beauty of flotilla holidays.
Your Yachting Experience
Our flotilla holidays in Greece and Croatia flotilla holidays require varying levels of confidence and experience due to the different routes and wind conditions in each area. It is important you select the right area for your party to ensure your safety and enjoyment.
The minimum experience we require on a flotilla holiday is that at least two people aboard each yacht are aged 18 years or over and must have had several day's active experience in charge of a yacht.
If this level of experience cannot be satisfied a Stay and Sail holiday, coupled with an Introduction to Yachting or Brush Up training course should be completed
Skippered Charter
If you want to regain your confidence afloat or just share the beginning of your flotilla with a like-minded sailor then you can pre book a member of the Neilson yacht team to join you on a skippered charter. They will spend the day with you, sailing from one place to another before retiring to the lead boat in the evening, allowing your party the privacy to enjoy some time alone. This option is available for one to three days for a supplement of £100 per yacht per day.
Please note, this option is not suitable for beginners who should complete an Introduction to Yachting course.
Bareboat Charter
Our Bareboat sailing holidays gives more experienced sailors the freedom to sail where, when and however they please. No itinerary, no set routes and no one to bother you. Bareboat holidays are the ultimate getaway.
Plot your own route around the many picturesque bays, lively little harbour towns and fishing villages scattered about the coastlines of our huge sailing areas. Spend as long as you like at any stop, return to your favourite places over and over, or keep on the move to discover something new around every point.
Of course, since you’re with Neilson you’ll still have the benefit of our expertise. Before you depart, our bareboat co-ordinator will go through the route you’ve planned, pointing out the highlights of your journey. And it’s always worth picking their brains, because they often have a nugget of advice that could really make your holiday. And naturally, they’ll also call or text you each morning to pass on weather conditions and check that everything on the yacht is as it should be.
All of our Bareboat holidays are provided with the following:
• Full tanks of diesel, water and gas
• Marine insurance
• Flights and transfers
• Comprehensive tools and spares
• A quick fix manual for everyday repair and maintenance
• Handheld GPS
• Additional charts and pilot book
• Mobile phone and charger
• Extra warps
• Starter pack
• No damage waiver or deposit to pay
Bareboat Holidays support Includes:
• A dedicated bareboat co-ordinator
• A full skipper and engineer’s briefing
• Details of all flotilla routes, staff and contact numbers
Experience Levels
When booking bareboat holidaywe ask that at least two people aboard are aged 18 years or over and have plenty of sailing knowledge and experience, having been in charge of a sailing vessel for several cruises, possibly on previous flotilla holidays. Both must be comfortable sailing in a range of conditions. If this level of experience cannot be satisfied, a flotilla holiday may be more appropriate.
Sail Training Courses
Yacht Training Courses
It’s not as hard as you might imagine to pick up the skills to navigate a yacht around the Mediterranean coastline. With our tried and tested courses and fantastic yacht trainers, you will be sailing with confidence in no time at all. We offer a number of courses to suit all ages and abilities.
Introduction to Yachting - four days
A course designed to be fun but informative, equipping complete beginners with the knowledge and skills necessary to skipper their own yacht on flotilla.
The syllabus we follow is based on the RYA Keelboat Level 2 certificate. After having completed the course, followed by a second week on flotilla, most new sailors will be awarded their RYA Level 2 certificate.
The skills needed can be learnt in four days with tuition from our Royal Yachting Association qualified instructors. Whilst covering the necessary manoeuvres you will be hopping from pontoon to quayside to bay to harbour. Occasionally stopping for picnics, taverna lunches or swimming, there will be time to digest all that you are learning at a relaxed but steady pace.
A maximum of five guests will train per yacht with an instructor.
At the end of your course you’ll feel confident and competent enough to skipper your own yacht within a flotilla environment. Your lead crew will be aware of your training and will be on hand to offer their full support during your week afloat.
Brush-Up Course - two days
Ideal for those with a basic or fading knowledge of sailing, or experienced dinghy sailors looking to make the step to big boat sailing. This course is tailored around your existing experience and looks to build your ability to sail confidently once more. You will spend two days with one of our RYA instructors who will assist you in practising and reviewing the skills you wish to improve.
The Brush-Up course can also be suitable for confident, advanced dinghy sailors who sail regularly at a high level. This course enables you to transfer your well-practised dinghy skills onto a larger class of boat. Beginner or intermediate dinghy sailors should book the Introduction to Yachting course.
Private Courses - Ideal for Families
Our Private Introduction to Yachting and Brush-Up courses are designed for groups or families who wish to learn together, on the same yacht, up to a maximum of five people. The course content is the same as detailed previously but you are guaranteed to be learning as one group without having to share your training yacht with another party.
The added advantage of a private course is that we can welcome 13 to 15 year olds aboard when accompanied by a parent. Younger sailors will relish the opportunity to learn with their family as a forerunner to the flotilla week of their holiday.
Private courses are priced per yacht at four times the cost of the individual course.
One Week Learn to Sail
If you can only get away on holiday for one week or spending two weeks learning to sail is not an option for you, then our One week Learn to Sail holiday is a perfect solution - half the week will be spent at one of our yacht bases living on your yacht whilst learning to sail on the Introduction to Yachting course. For the second part of the week, you will join your fellow sailors on flotilla.
Sailing Holidays
Sailing Holidays are great for those who like to remain active on their vacation.
Techniques
Here you will find articles on a variety of different sailing techniques
Plans to drop cats as a youth class
The RYA has recently made submissions to ISAF to remove the catamaran as a youth boat for 2009, and to remove the catamaran as an Olympic boat for 2012.
These submissions by the RYA were made without any consultation with the sailing community. We request that the submissions are withdrawn before the ISAF conference in early November and replaced by alternative submissions which support the use of catamarans both in future Olympics (2012 and beyond) and for youth training.
CATAMARANS OUT OF OLYMPICS
Amazingly the ISAF Council voted the Multihull out after the Events Committee had recommended that the cats stay in.
starter Boat for 7 year old
My sister wants to get her seven year old into sailing, the Oppi would seem to be the obvious choice but waht about some of the newer designs like Tera, Taz, Open etc ?
Dinghy Sailing in the Midlands
OK a bit cold this time of year
, but I am looking for ideaas for presents for my partner.
Sailing Holidays
Ok help required, girl friend just arrived home for pile of holiday brochures. Usual girlie things of lying on the beach. I really want to do a sailing holiday, try out some new boats etc, can anyone help with experiences of Sunsail type holidays ?
New to Dinghy Sailing
I am looking to start Dinghy Sailing in the new year, will I learn anything by going to the boat show ?, or are there any good sailing magazines to read ?
Catamaran Sailing
Is catamaran sailing better than dinghy sailing?
Yacht Charter
Although I love dinghy sailing, thought I would try some yachting. Some friends are looking at bareboat charter.
Laser 4.7, Radial or Laser Standard
Thinking about a new sailing dinghy after my Topper Lasers seem to be the most popular, but am I best with 4.7 or Radial, what about the Olympic one
Sailing in Spain
Where is the best place for sailing in Spain
BBC Sport Personality of Year
Very disappointing not to see any sailors or any sailing action covered on last night's awards. Plenty of successes this year
Sailing Videos
We have now included videos of sailing action, these can be found at
Winter Sailing Clothing
Gosh wasn't it cold this weekend, my hands were really frozen, any ideas of the best winter sailing gloves ?
NEW Boats for Sale and Gear For Sale Section
SailRacer now has a new For Sale section, here you will find 000s of items For Sale
You can advertsie for FREE, now is the time of year to clear out your garage of all those unused sailing items. There are sections for Boats, Sails, Gear, Clothing, Trailers and Trolleysgood teacher is like a shining star to students
good teacher is like a shining star to students. Miss Li, my senior high school English teacher, Cheap WoW Gold, is a shining star in my life.When I began my senior high school years, I had difficulty in learning English. I dared not speak English aloud in public because of my poor pronunciation and intonation, Cheap WoW Gold, I could not get high marks and my grammar was not right at all, Frustratedand afraid of being laughed,World Of Warcraft Gold, I never put up my hand to answer questions in English class. When Miss Li found out my situation, World Of Warcraft Gold, She patiently taught me English grammar, helped me understand how to write a good sentence, Age of conan Gold, and lent me many English books and magazines, which rapidly improved my English. With her help, I became interested in English World Of Warcraft Gold and eventually got high marks.
When I was a child, Buy WoW Gold, I was fascinated by the melody of piano on the screen. At that time, I dreamed of being a pianist and having my own piano.
World of Warcraft Power Leveling, my father bought me a beautiful piano as my birthday present with the money they had saved for a long time. At the same time, my father found a piano teacher for me and every day I would practise it again and again as my father demanded. Before long, my interest in piano was transferred to other things.
I began to escape the practice as much as I could. My father found out my impatience. WoW Gold, He encouraged me and was stricter with me than ever before. With his help, I underwent the hardest time and devoted myself to the piano.
Now, wotlk power leveling, a long time WoW Gold of study and hard work, I always play the piano and enjoy the beautiful music
good teacher is like a shining star to students
Sail 100 to SailRacer
I am sure everybody has specific attribute or quality distinguish me from anyone else. For me, WoW Power Leveling,I think perseverance is my specific attribute. World Of Warcraft gold
Going through my past, WoW Power Leveling,I could see my perseverance was not inherited from my parents whom obviously different from me on this point, and I remember when I was young I never put my heart into one thing for a long time, today did this, tomorrow that, can’t have got one thing satisfied,WoW Power Leveling, so I was the useless one in the other’s eyes. WoW Power Leveling
When I was in high school, I was appointed as the leader of sports in our class. In fact, I did not know why I would be a leader of sports since I did not have sports strength. ,At the first year our school held an annual sports meeting, I joined it, actually I did not want to, but no choice, because I was a leader,World Of Warcraft power leveling and I chose the 3000m racing. Unfortunately, I won the last one, oh, my god, my face lost up,so sorry I felt. After that I made a resolution to practice it, every morning at 5 o’clock, I got up to run, just like this did it every day, no matter raining or snowing, I never gave it up.
age of conan power leveling,
No pain no gain! This saying was totally right. I won the three successive championships of 3000m racing at our school sports meeting. I was so proud of myself. And more importantly, WoW Gold,seeing it now is that my character had been changed, but that time I did not realize it, just did I knew when I chose something I would struggle to perform it till it was accomplished.
Now I chose to improve English, I never worry about the result, I just knew learning a language need a long time, so I do it everyday, and even I would have left GLV.
WoW Gold
No pain no gain
Why have the RYA decided to launch a race results
In the past, the RYA have asked clubs to send in their data at the end of every year. The data captured is limited and often open to subjectivity and goes through little validation by the RYA before being used in the statistical number crunching. After a very detailed review of the PYS by the RYA, it was highlighted that the data been captured by the RYA was become less and less meaningful, which was being reflected in the declining amount of returns being received by the RYA.
By launching the RYA Race results website, in collaboration with Simon Lovesey and SailRacer, the RYA are starting to increase the accuracy and meaningfulness of the data being collected by going straight to the source; individual race results. By asking clubs to upload their race results, the RYA are getting raw race data. The raw race data is also being subjected to an analysis in accordance with the RYA guidelines, which again increases the accuracy of the data being returned.
In summary, the RYA hope to collect more data, which is more meaningful to clubs as well as nationally, and start to increase the sailing publics confidence in the system and the numbers published by the RYA.
Problem with Race Dates
Using Sailwave, I've combined all the results from every series (some 40 races) and purged any duplicates, etc. and uploaded the file via Sailwave to the site.
When I try to import each race file I get the 'Enter Race Date' message. No matter what I try it gets rejected. The error messages shows any date either entered or chosen from the Calendar as 1/12/2010 for example 1-DEC-2009=1/12/2010.
I've tried to confuse the transformation by a date combination that might give me 12/1/2010 but with no success.
The dates of the races do not matter, but each race does need manual changes before benchmarking.
How do I get around this??
Barry McGibbon
Lyme Regis Sailing Club
Mods to Suggested Handicaps Page
Hi Simon,
Benchmarking – why have I never heard of it befo
I would like understand the arithmetic the website is using. Is it the same as the YR2 spreadsheet ? If I set the benchmark to a class, does it adjust the others in relation to the benchmark or does it use the SCT of the top 2/3 of the fleet as YR2 spreadsheet.
Does it ignore POOR PERFORMERS ?
Where is the manual you refer to.
Mike Swingler
Flushing Sailing Club
{{Redirect
West Indian
the western part of India
West India}} {{Redirect
West Indies
other uses of the phrase
West Indies (disambiguation)}} {{Other uses}} {{ infobox
bodyclass = geography
title = Caribbean
image = Image:Antillas (orthographic projection).svg
250px
label1 = Area
data1 = 2,754,000 km²
label2 = Land Area
data2 = 239,681 km²
label3 = Population (2010)
data3 = 36,314,000<ref>https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html</ref>
label4 = Population density
Density
data4 = 151.5/km²
label5 = Ethnic groups
data5 = Afro-Caribbean,<ref>{{cite book
firt=John H.
last=McWhorter
title=Defining Creole
page=379
publisher=Oxford University Press US
year=2005
url=http://books.google.com/books?id=zdxJJVY54nYC&pg=PT387
isbn=0195166701}}</ref> Indigenous peoples of the Americas
Native Americans (Arawak, Caribs, Tainos), Europeans (Spanish, French, British, Portuguese, Dutch), Asian (Chinese, Indian)
label6 = Demonym
data6 = West Indian, Caribbean
label7 = Government
data7 = 13 sovereign states; also, 2 overseas departments and 14 dependent territories, tied to the European Union or to the United States
label8 = Largest cities
data8 = Havana<br />Santo Domingo<br />Port-au-Prince<br />Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston<br />San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan<br />Port of Spain
label9 = Internet Top-level domain
TLD
data9 = List of Internet top-level domains
Multiple
label10 = Calling code
data10 = List of country calling codes
Multiple
label11 = Time zone
data11 = UTC-5 to UTC-4 }} The '''Caribbean'''<ref>Pronounced {{IPA-en
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}} or {{IPA-en
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}}. Both pronunciations are equally valid; indeed, they see equal use even within areas of the Caribbean itself. Cf. Royal Caribbean, which stresses the second syllable, and Pirates of the Caribbean, which stresses the first and third. In each case, as a proper noun, those who would normally pronounce it a different way may use the pronunciation associated with the noun when referring to it. More generic nouns such as the Caribbean Community are generally referred to using the speaker's preferred pronunciation.<br />{{lang-es
Caribe}}; Dutch {{Audio
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''Caraïben''}}; {{lang-fr
Caraïbe}} or more commonly ''Antilles''</ref> is a region consisting of the '''Caribbean Sea''', its islands (most of which enclose the sea), and the surrounding coasts. The region is located southeast of the Gulf of Mexico and North America, east of Central America, and to the north of South America. Situated largely on the Caribbean Plate, the region comprises more than 7,000 islands, islets, reefs, and cays. These islands, called the '''West Indies''', generally form island arcs that delineate the eastern and northern edges of the Caribbean Sea.<ref name="brief">{{cite book
first=Ridvan
last=Asann
year= 2007
title= A Brief History of the Caribbean
edition= Revised
publisher=Facts on File, Inc.
location=New York
page= 3
isbn=0816038112}}</ref> These islands are called the ''West Indies'' because when Christopher Columbus landed there in 1492 he believed that he had reached the Indies (in Asia). The region consists of the Antilles, divided into the larger Greater Antilles which bound the sea on the north and the Lesser Antilles on the south and east (including the Leeward Antilles), and the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands or the Lucayan Archipelago, which are in fact in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cuba, not in the Caribbean Sea. Geo-politically, the West Indies are usually regarded as a sub-region of North America<ref>[http://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49regin.htm#ftnb ''Standard Country and Area Codes Classifications (M49)]'', United Nations Statistics Division</ref><ref>[http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/atlas/index.html?Parent=nameri&Rootmap=&Mode=d&SubMode=w North America Atlas] National Geographic</ref><ref>[http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/maps/reference/international/north_america/referencemap_image_view "North America"] ''Atlas of Canada''</ref><ref>[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/418612/North-America "North America"]. ''Britannica Concise Encyclopedia''; "... associated with the continent is Greenland, the largest island in the world, and such offshore groups as the Arctic Archipelago, the Bahamas, the Greater and Lesser Antilles, the Queen Charlotte Islands, and the Aleutian Islands."</ref> and are organized into 27 territories including Sovereignty
sovereign sovereign state
states, overseas departments, and dependent area
dependencies. Between January 3, 1958, to May 31, 1962, there was a short-lived country called the West Indies Federation
Federation of the West Indies composed of ten English-speaking Caribbean territories, all of which were then UK dependencies. The region takes its name from that of the Carib people
Carib, an ethnic group present in the Lesser Antilles and parts of adjacent South America at the time of European contact.<ref>{{cite web
url = http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9020323/Carib
title = Carib
work = Encyclopædia Britannica
accessdate = 2008-02-20
archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5ZDatLUlv
archivedate = 2008-07-11
quote = inhabited the Lesser Antilles and parts of the neighbouring South American coast at the time of the Spanish conquest. }}</ref> ==Definition== Image:Central america (cia).png
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right
Central America and the Caribbean. The word "Caribbean" has multiple uses. Its principal ones are geographical and political. The Caribbean can also be expanded to include territories with strong cultural and historical connections to slavery, European colonization of the Americas
European colonisation and the plantation system. * Physiographically, the Caribbean region is mainly a chain of islands surrounding the Caribbean Sea. To the north is the Caribbean Sea bordered by the Gulf of Mexico, the Straits of Florida, and the Northern Atlantic Ocean which lies to the east and northeast; the coastline of the continent of South America lies to the south. * Politically, "Caribbean" may be centred on socio-economic groupings found in the region. For example the block known as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) contains both the Guyana
Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Suriname
Republic of Suriname found in South America, along with Belize in Central America as full members. Bermuda and the Turks and Caicos Islands which are found in the Atlantic Ocean are Associate members of the Caribbean Community, and the same goes for the Bahamas
Commonwealth of the Bahamas which is a full member of the Caribbean Community. *Alternately the organisation known as the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) consists of almost every nation in the surrounding regions which lie on the Caribbean plus El Salvador which lies solely on the Pacific Ocean. According to the ACS the total population of its member states is some 227 million people.<ref>[http://www.acs-aec.org/Trade/6thBusinessForum/background.htm Background of the business forum of the Greater Caribbean of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS)]</ref> The Caribbean has 7001 islands. ==Geography and climate== Image:Tectonic plates Caribbean.png
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Detail of tectonic plates from: :Image:Tectonic plates.png
Tectonic plates of the world. <!-- Deleted image removed: Image:sautmathurine640.jpg
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Ile a Vache, Haiti --> The geography and climate in the Caribbean region varies. Some islands in the region have relatively flat terrain of non-volcanic origin. These islands include Aruba (possessing only minor volcanic features), Barbados, Bonaire, the Cayman Islands, Saint Croix, The Bahamas or Antigua. Others possess rugged towering mountain-ranges like the islands of Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Dominica, Montserrat, Saba, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Saint Thomas, Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands
Saint John, Tortola, Grenada, Saint Vincent (island)
Saint Vincent, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Trinidad & Tobago. The climate of the region is tropical but rainfall varies with elevation, size and water currents (cool upwellings keep the ABC islands (Lesser Antilles)
ABC islands arid). Warm, moist tradewinds blow consistently from the east creating rainforest/semidesert divisions on mountainous islands. Occasional northwesterlies affect the northern islands in the winter. The region enjoys year-round sunshine, divided into 'dry' and 'wet' seasons, with the last six months of the year being wetter than the first half. The waters of the Caribbean Sea host large, migratory schools of fish, turtles, and coral reef formations. The Puerto Rico trench, located on the fringe of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea just to the north of the island of Puerto Rico, is the deepest point in all of the Atlantic Ocean.<ref>{{cite web
url=http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/03trench/welcome.html
title=Puerto Rico Trench 2003: Cruise Summary Results
author=Uri ten Brink
publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
accessdate=2008-02-21}}</ref> Hurricanes, which at times batter the region, usually strike northwards of Grenada, and to the west of Barbados. The principal hurricane belt arcs to northwest of the island of Barbados in the Eastern Caribbean. The region sits in the line of several major shipping routes with the man-made Panama Canal connecting the western Caribbean Sea with the Pacific Ocean. ===Historical groupings=== {{Main
History of the Caribbean}} Image:Political Evolution of Central America and the Caribbean 1700 and on.gif
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Political Evolution of Central America and the Caribbean from 1700 to present. Image:Caribbean spanish names.PNG
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The mostly Spanish-controlled Caribbean in the sixteenth century. All islands at some point were, and a few still are, colony
colonies of European nations; a few are Dependent territory
overseas or dependent territories: *'''British West Indies/Anglophone Caribbean''' – Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Bay Islands (department)
Bay Islands, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Croix (briefly), Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago ''(from 1797)'' and the Turks and Caicos Islands *'''Danish West Indies''' – present-day United States Virgin Islands *'''Dutch West Indies''' – present-day Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, Virgin Islands, Saint Croix (briefly), Tobago and Bay Islands (department)
Bay Islands (briefly) *'''French West Indies''' – Anguilla (briefly), Antigua and Barbuda (briefly), Dominica, Dominican Republic (briefly), Grenada, Haiti, Montserrat (briefly), Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Eustatius (briefly), St Kitts (briefly), Tobago (briefly), Saint Croix, the current French Département d'outre-mer
overseas ''départements'' of Martinique and Guadeloupe (including Marie-Galante, La Désirade and Les Saintes), and the current French Collectivité d'outre-mer
overseas collectivities of Saint Barthélemy and Collectivity of Saint Martin
Saint Martin *'''Portugal
Portuguese West Indies''' – present-day Barbados, known as ''Os Barbados'' in the 16th century when the Portuguese claimed the island en route to Brazil. The Portuguese left Barbados abandoned in 1533, nearly a century prior to the British arrival to the island. *'''Spanish West Indies''' – Cuba, Hispaniola (present-day Dominican Republic, Haiti''(until 1609 to France)'', Puerto Rico, Jamaica ''(until 1655 to Great Britain)'', the Cayman Islands''(until 1670 to Great Britain)'' Trinidad ''(until 1797 to Great Britain)'' and Bay Islands ''(until 1643 to Great Britain)'', with coastal island of Central America (Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama) and South America (Venezuela and Colombia). *'''Swedish West Indies''' – present-day French Saint-Barthélemy and Guadeloupe (briefly). *'''Courland colonization of the Americas
Courlander West Indies''' – Tobago ''(until 1691)'' The British West Indies were united by the United Kingdom into a West Indies Federation between 1958 and 1962. The independent countries formerly part of the B.W.I. still have a joint cricket team that competes in Test cricket
Test matches and One Day Internationals. The West Indian cricket team includes the South American nation of Guyana, the only former British colony on that continent. In addition, these countries share the University of the West Indies as a regional entity. The university consists of three main campuses in Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, a smaller campus in the Bahamas and Resident Tutors in other contributing territories. ===Modern day island territories=== Image:CaribbeanIslands.png
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Islands in and near the Caribbean {{Main
List of islands in the Caribbean}} {{See also
Caribbean South America
Caribbean basin}} {{div col
cols=3}} * '''{{AIA}}''' <small>(British British overseas territory
overseas territory)</small> * '''{{ATG}}''' * '''{{ABW}}''' <small>(Kingdom of the Netherlands)</small> * '''{{BHS}}''' * '''{{BRB}}''' * '''{{IVB}}''' <small>(British overseas territory)</small> * '''{{CAY}}''' <small>(British overseas territory)</small> * '''{{CUB}}''' * '''{{DMA}}''' * '''{{DOM}}''' * '''{{GRD}}''' * '''{{Flag
Guadeloupe
local}}''' <small>(overseas department (France)
overseas department of France)</small> * '''{{HAI}}''' * '''{{JAM}}''' * '''{{Flag
Martinique
local}}''' <small>(overseas department (France)
overseas department of France)</small> * '''{{MSR}}''' <small>(British overseas territory)</small> * '''{{ANT}}''' <small>(Kingdom of the Netherlands)</small> * '''{{PRI}}''' <small>(Commonwealth (United States insular area)
commonwealth of the United States)</small> * '''{{Flag
Saint Barthélemy
local}}''' <small>(overseas collectivity of France)</small> * '''{{SKN}}''' * '''{{LCA}}''' * File:Flag of Saint-Martin (local).svg
border
link=
22px '''Collectivity of Saint Martin
Saint Martin''' <small>(overseas collectivity of France)</small> * '''{{VIN}}''' * '''{{TRI}}''' * '''{{TCA}}''' <small>(British overseas territory)</small> * '''{{VIR}}''' <small>(Territories of the United States#Unincorporated organized territories
territory of the United States)</small> {{div col end}} ===Continental countries with Caribbean coastlines and islands=== {{Multicol}} * '''{{BLZ}}''' ** Ambergris Caye ** Belize City ** Big Creek, Belize
Big Creek ** Caye Caulker ** Glover's Reef ** Dangriga ** Hicks Cays ** Hopkins, Belize
Hopkins ** Lighthouse Reef ** Placencia ** Punta Gorda, Belize
Punta Gorda ** St. George's Caye ** South Water Caye ** Turneffe Islands * '''{{COL}}''' ** Archipelago of San Andres and Providencia ** Barranquilla ** Cartagena, Colombia
Cartagena ** Riohacha ** Santa Marta * '''{{CRI}}''' * '''{{GTM}}''' * '''{{GUY}}''' * '''{{HON}}''' ** Guanaja ** Roatán ** Útila ** Cayos Cochinos ** Swan Islands, Honduras
Swan Islands * '''{{MEX}}''' ** Quintana Roo *** Cancún *** Chetumal *** Isla Contoy *** Isla Cozumel *** Isla Mujeres *** Cozumel {{ColBreak}} * '''{{NIC}}''' ** Corn Islands ** Cayos Miskitos ** Pearl Cays * '''{{PAN}}''' ** Kuna Yala Islands (comprising more than 1300 islands) ** Bocas del Toro Archipelago (archipelago with approximately 300 islands) * '''{{VEN}}''' ** Isla Margarita **Coche, Venezuela
Coche Island **Cubagua
Cubagua Island **Los Monjes Archipelago **Las Aves Archipelago **Isla Aves **Los Hermanos Archipelago **Islas Los Frailes **Los Roques Archipelago **La Sola Island **La Tortuga Island **La Orchila **Blanquilla Island **Los Testigos Islands **Isla de Patos {{EndMultiCol}} The nations of Belize and Guyana, although on the mainland of Central America and South America respectively, are former British colonies and maintain many cultural ties to the Caribbean. They are members of Caribbean Community
CARICOM. Nicaragua's Caribbean Coast, often referred to as the Mosquito Coast, was also a former British colony. It maintains many cultural ties to the Caribbean as distinct from the Pacific coast. Guyana participates in West Indies cricket tournaments and many players from Guyana have been on the West Indies Test cricket team. The Turneffe Islands (and many other islands and reefs) are part of Belize and lie in the Caribbean Sea. The nation of Suriname, on the mainland of South America, is a former Dutch colony and also a member of CARICOM. ==Biodiversity== {{Expand
section
date=December 2009}} The Caribbean islands are classified as one of Conservation International's biodiversity hotspots because they support exceptionally diverse ecosystems, ranging from montane cloud forests to cactus scrublands. These ecosystems have been devastated by deforestation and human encroachment. The arrival of the first humans is correlated with extinction of Tyto pollensyugtlu,
giant Ornimegalonyx
owls and Megalocnus
dwarf ground sloths.<ref>{{cite web
url=http://www.thegreatstory.org/charts/NA-extinctions.html
title=North American Extinctions v. World
publisher=Thegreatstory.org
date=
accessdate=2010-08-23}}</ref> The hotspot contains dozens of highly threatened species, ranging from birds, to mammals and reptiles. Popular examples include the Puerto Rican Amazon, two species of solenodon (giant shrews) in Cuba and Haiti, and the Cuban Crocodile
Cuban crocodile. The hotspot is also remarkable for the diversity of its fauna. {{wide image
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<center> Saona Island, Dominican Republic</center>}} ==Demographics== Image:TobagoBeach5.jpg
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Beach in Tobago File:Grand Anse Beach Grenada.jpg
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Grand Anse Beach, St. George's, Grenada The population of the Caribbean is estimated to have been around 750,000 immediately before European contact, although lower and higher figures are given. After contact, genocide and disease led to a decline in the Native American population.<ref>p. 486, A Population History of the Caribbean, Stanley L. Engerman, pp. 483–528 in ''A Population History of North America'', edited by Michael R. Haines and Richard Hall Steckel, Cambridge University Press, 2000, ISBN 0-521-49666-7.</ref><ref>[http://www.millersville.edu/~columbus/papers/goodling.html Stacy Goodling, "Effects of European Diseases on the Inhabitants of the New World"], Millersville University</ref> From 1500 to 1800 the population rose as slaves arrived from West Africa<ref>[http://countrystudies.us/caribbean-islands/8.htm The Sugar Revolutions and Slavery], ''U.S. Library of Congress''</ref> such as the Kongo people
Kongo, Igbo people
Igbo, Akan people
Akan, Fon people
Fon and Yoruba people
Yoruba as well as military prisoners and captured slaves from Ireland, who were deported during the Cromwellian reign in England.<ref>''To Hell or Barbados: The Ethnic Cleansing of Ireland'', O'Callaghan S, Brandon Press, 2001, ISBN 0863222870.</ref> Immigrants from Britain, Italy. France, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal and Denmark also arrived, although the mortality rate was high for both groups.<ref>pp. 488–492, Engerman.</ref> The population is estimated to have reached 2.2 million by 1800.<ref>Figure 11.1, Engerman.</ref> Immigrants from India, China, and other countries arrived in the 19th century.<ref>pp. 501–502, Engerman.</ref> After the ending of the Atlantic slave trade, the population increased naturally.<ref>pp. 504, 511, Engerman.</ref> The total regional population was estimated at 37.5 million by 2000.<ref name=p2000>Table A.2, [http://gisweb.ciat.cgiar.org/population/download/report.pdf Database documentation], Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Population Database, version 3, International Center for Tropical Agriculture et al., 2005. Accessed on line February 20, 2008.</ref> File:Playa Puerto Cruz.JPG
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Puerto Cruz beach in Margarita Island, Venezuela The majority of the Caribbean (of the Lesser Antilles and Jamaica) has populations of mainly Africans in the French Caribbean, Anglophone Caribbean and Dutch West Indies
Dutch Caribbean, there are minorities of mixed-race and European peoples of Dutch, English, French, Italian and Portuguese ancestry. Asians, especially those of Overseas Chinese
Chinese and Non-resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin
Indian descent, form a significant minority in the region and also contribute to multiracial communities. All of their ancestors arrived in the 19th century as indentured laborers. The Spanish Caribbean
Spanish-speaking Caribbean have primarily mixed race, African, or White Latin American
European majorities. Puerto Rico and Cuba (largest Caribbean island) have a European majority with a mixture of Spaniards–European, Indigenous peoples of the Americas
Native Americans, and some West African. Cuba has a third of its population of African descent, with a sizable Mulatto (mixed African–European) population. The Dominican Republic has a largely mixed majority who are primarily descended from West Africans and Spaniards, with some Native Americans. Trinidad and Tobago has a multi-racial cosmopolitan society due to the arrival of the Africans, Indians, Chinese, Syrians, Lebanese, Native Amerindians and Europeans. This multi-racial mix has created sub-ethnicities that often straddle the boundaries of major ethnicities and include Chindian and Dougla. ===Indigenous tribes=== * Arawak * Taíno * Carib
Kalinago * Ciboney * Neo-Taino nations#Ciguayo
Ciguayo * Galibi * Garifuna * Igneri * Lucayan * Neo-Taino nations#Macorix
Macorix ===Language=== Spanish, English, French, Dutch, Haitian Creole and Papiamento are the predominant official languages of various countries in the region, though a handful of unique creole language
Creole languages or dialects can also be found from one country to another. ===Religion=== {{See also
:Category:Religion in the Caribbean}} The largest religious groups in the region are: Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Rastafari, Santería, and Haitian Vodou
Voodoo among others. ==Politics== ===Regionalism=== Caribbean societies are very different from other Western societies in terms of size, culture, and degree of mobility of their citizens.<ref>Gowricharn, Ruben. ''Caribbean Transnationalism: Migraton, Pluralization, and Social Cohesion'', Lanham: Lexington Books, 2006. pp. 5</ref> The current economic and political problems which the states face individually are common to all Caribbean states. Regional development has contributed to attempts to subdue current problems and avoid projected problems. From a political economic perspective, Regionalism (politics)
regionalism serves to make Caribbean states active participants in current international affairs through collective coalitions. In 1973, the first political regionalism in the Caribbean Basin was created by advances of the English-speaking Caribbean nations through the institution known as the Caribbean Common Market and Community (CARICOM).<ref>Hillman, Richard S., and Thomas J. D'agostino, eds. ''Understanding the Contemporary Caribbean'', London: Lynne Rienner, 2003. pp. 150</ref> Certain scholars have argued both for and against generalizing the political structures of the Caribbean. On the one hand the Caribbean states are politically diverse, ranging from communist systems such as Cuba toward more capitalist Westminster-style parliamentary systems as in the Commonwealth Caribbean. Other scholars argue that these differences are superficial, and that they tend to undermine commonalities in the various Caribbean states. Contemporary Caribbean systems seem to reflect a "blending of traditional and modern patterns, yielding hybrid systems that exhibit significant structural variations and divergent constitutional traditions yet ultimately appear to function in similar ways."<ref>Hillman, Richard S., and Thomas J. D'agostino, eds. ''Understanding the Contemporary Caribbean'', London: Lynne Rienner, 2003. pp. 165</ref> The political systems of the Caribbean states share similar practices. The influence of regionalism in the Caribbean is often marginalized. Some scholars believe that regionalism cannot not exist in the Caribbean because each small state is unique. On the other hand, scholars also suggest that there are commonalities amongst the Caribbean nations that suggest regionalism exists. "Proximity as well as historical ties among the Caribbean nations has led to cooperation as well as a desire for collective action."<ref name=serbin>Serbin, Andres. "Towards an Association of Caribbean States: Raising Some Awkward Questions", ''Journal of Interamerican Studies and World Affairs'' (2004): pp. 1</ref> These attempts at regionalization reflect the nations' desires to compete in the international economic system.<ref name=serbin /> Furthermore, a lack of interest from other major states promoted regionalism in the region. In recent years the Caribbean has suffered from a lack of U.S. interest. "With the end of the Cold War, U.S. security and economic interests have been focused on other areas. As a result there has been a significant reduction in U.S. aid and investment to the Caribbean."<ref>Hillman, Richard S., and Thomas J. D'agostino, eds. ''Understanding the Contemporary Caribbean'', London: Lynne Rienner, 2003. pp. 123</ref> The lack of international support for these small, relatively poor states, helped regionalism prosper. Following the Cold War another issue of importance in the Caribbean has been the reduced economic growth of some Caribbean States due to the United States and European Union's allegations of special treatment toward the region by each other. ====United States effects on regionalism==== The United States under President Bill Clinton launched a challenge in the World Trade Organization against the EU over Europe's preferential program, known as the Lomé Convention, which allowed banana exports from the former colonies of the ACP countries
Group of African, Caribbean and Pacific states (ACP) to enter Europe cheaply.<ref>[http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2001/April/The_US-EU_Banana_Agreement.html The U.S.-EU Banana Agreement] See also: {{cite web
url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2008/05/080516_sanders190508.shtml
title=Dominica: Poverty and Potential
publisher=BBC
accessdate=2008-12-06}}</ref> The World Trade Organization sided in the United States' favour and the beneficial elements of the convention to African, Caribbean and Pacific states has been partially dismantled and replaced by the Cotonou Agreement.<ref>[http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1196354821.32/ WTO rules against EU banana import practices]{{dead link
date=August 2010}}</ref> During the US/EU dispute the United States imposed large tariffs on European Union goods (up to 100% on some imports) from the EU in order to pressure Europe to change the agreement with the Caribbean nations in favour of the Cotonou Agreement.<ref>{{cite web
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/293114.stm
title=No truce in banana war
publisher=BBC News
date=1999-03-08
accessdate=2010-08-23}}</ref> Farmers in the Caribbean have complained of their falling profits and rising costs. Some farmers have faced increased pressure to turn towards the cultivation of illegal drugs, which has a higher profit margin and fills the sizable demand for these illegal drugs in North America and Europe.<ref>{{cite web
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/296008.stm
title=World: Americas St Vincent hit by banana war
publisher=BBC News
date=1999-03-13
accessdate=2010-08-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2005/01/050117_ukparliament-concern.shtml
title=Concern for Caribbean farmers
publisher=Bbc.co.uk
date=
accessdate=2010-08-23}}</ref> ====European Union effects on regionalism==== The European Union has also taken issue with US based taxation extended to US companies via the Caribbean countries. The EU instituted a broad labeling of many nations as tax havens by the France-based OECD. The United States has not been in favor of shutting off the practice yet, mainly due to the higher costs that would be passed on to US companies via taxation. Caribbean countries have largely countered the allegations by the OECD by signing more bilateral information sharing deals with OECD members, thus reducing the dangerous aspects of secrecy, and they have strengthened their legislation against money laundering and on the conditions under which companies can be based in their nations. The Caribbean nations have also started to more closely cooperate in the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force and other instruments to add oversight of the offshore industry. One of the most important associations that deal with regionalism amongst the nations of the Caribbean Basin has been the Association of Caribbean States (ACS). Proposed by CARICOM in 1992, the ACS soon won the support of the other countries of the region. It was founded in July 1994. The ACS maintains regionalism within the Caribbean on issues which are unique to the Caribbean Basin. Through coalition building, like the ACS and CARICOM, regionalism has become an undeniable part of the politics and economics of the Caribbean. The successes of region-building initiatives are still debated by scholars, yet regionalism remains prevalent throughout the Caribbean. ==Regional institutions== Here are some of the bodies that several islands share in collaboration: * Association of Caribbean States (ACS), Trinidad and Tobago * Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC), Trinidad and Tobago<ref>{{cite web
url=http://www.caic.org.tt
title=CAIC
publisher=CAIC
date=
accessdate=2010-08-23}}</ref> * Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organizations (CANTO), Trinidad and Tobago<ref>{{cite web
url=http://www.canto.org
title=CANTO Caribbean portal
publisher=Canto.org
date=
accessdate=2008-12-06}}</ref> * Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Guyana * Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Barbados * CDERA
Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA), Barbados * Caribbean Educators Network,<ref>{{cite web
url=http://www.caribbeaneducatorsnetwork.com
title=Caribbean Educators Network
publisher=CEN
date=
accessdate=2008-12-06}}</ref> * Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC), Saint Lucia<ref>{{cite web
url=http://www.carilec.com
title=Carilec
publisher=Carilec.com
accessdate=2008-12-06}}</ref> * Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), Barbados and Jamaica * Caribbean Food Crop Society * Caribbean Football Union (CFU) * Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), Puerto Rico<ref>http://www.caribbeanhotels.org</ref> * Caribbean Initiative (Initiative of the IUCN) * Caribbean Programme for Economic Competitiveness (CPEC), Saint Lucia * Caribbean Regional Environmental Programme (CREP), Barbados<ref>{{cite web
url=http://www.crepnet.net
title=Caribbean Regional Environmental Programme
publisher=Crepnet.net
date=
accessdate=2008-12-06}}</ref> * Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), Belize<ref>{{cite web
url=http://www.caricom-fisheries.com
title=Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism
publisher=Caricom-fisheries.com
date=
accessdate=2008-12-06}}</ref> * Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM), Barbados and Dominican Republic<ref>{{cite web
url=http://www.crnm.org
title=Official website of the RNM
publisher=Crnm.org
date=
accessdate=2008-12-06}}</ref> * Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), Trinidad and Tobago<ref>{{cite web
url=http://www.c-t-u.org
title=c-t-u.org
publisher=c-t-u.org
date=
accessdate=2010-08-23}}</ref> * Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), Barbados * Inter-American Economic Council (IAEC), Washington, D.C. * Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Saint Lucia * Latin American and Caribbean Internet Addresses Registry (LACNIC), Brazil and Uruguay * ECLAC
United Nations - Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Chile and Trinidad and Tobago * University of the West Indies, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago.<ref>{{cite web
url=http://www.uwi.edu
title=University of the West Indies
publisher=Uwi.edu
date=
accessdate=2008-12-06}}</ref> In addition, the fourth campus, the Open Campus was formed in June 2008 as a result of an amalgamation of the Board for Non-Campus Countries and Distance Educationn, Schools of Continuing Studies, the UWI Distance Education Centres and Tertiary Level Units. The Open Campus has 42 physical sites in 16 Anglophone caribbean countries. * West Indies Cricket Board, Antigua and Barbuda<ref>{{cite web
url=http://www.windiescricket.com
title=West Indies Cricket Board WICB Official Website
publisher=Windiescricket.com
date=
accessdate=2008-12-06}}</ref> ==Culture== ===Cuisine=== {{Main
Caribbean cuisine}} ====Favorite or national dishes==== {{See also
National_dish#Country-Dish/Food}} *Anguilla - Rice and Peas and Fish *Antigua and Barbuda - Fungee & Pepperpot *Bahamas - Conch
Crack Conch with Peas and Rice<ref>{{cite web
url=http://www.caribbeanamericanfoods.com/?page=island_dishes
title=National Dishes & Local Favorites from the Islands of the Caribbean<
publisher=Caribbeanamericanfoods.com
date=
accessdate=2010-08-23}}</ref> *Barbados - Cou-Cou and Flying fish *British Virgin Islands - Fish and fungee *Cayman Islands - Turtle Stew *Cuba - Platillo Moros y Cristianos, Ropa Vieja, Yuca, Maduros, Ajiaco *Dominica - Mountain chicken *Dominican Republic - arroz con pollo topped with stewed red kidney beans, pan fry
pan fried or braised beef, and side dish of green salad or ensalada de coditos, shrimp, empanadas and/or tostón
tostones, or the ever popular Dominican dish known as Mangú (dish)
Mangú which is mashed plantains. The ensemble is usually called ''bandera nacional'', which means "national flag", a term equivalent to the Venezuelan ''pabellón criollo''. *Grenada - Oil-Down *Guyana - beef/chicken/potatoe curry and roti, catahar, callaloo, dhal and rice, plantains, white pudding, pumpkin and rice, okra, pepperpot, catfish curry *Haiti - Griot (Fried pork) served with Du riz a pois or Diri ak Pwa (Rice and beans) *Jamaica - ackee and saltfish, callaloo *Montserrat - Goat Water *Puerto Rico - Cuisine of Puerto Rico#Puerto Rican Dishes
Arroz con gandules with roasted pork shoulder, arroz con pollo, Mofongo, and Many Fried Food, Commonly made In the Beaches and Coast like, Alcapurrias, bacalaito, piononos. *Saint Kitts and Nevis - Coconut dumplings, Spicy plantain, saltfish, breadfruit *Saint Lucia - Green Bananas & Dried and salted cod *Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Roasted Breadfruit & Fried Jackfish *Trinidad and Tobago - Doubles (food)
Doubles, Wrap roti
Roti, Crab and dumpling, Pelau *United States Virgin Islands - Kallaloo, fish and fungee *Venezuela - pabellón criollo. ==See also== {{Portal box
Caribbean
Puerto Rico}} {{Main
List of Caribbean-related topics}} *African diaspora *British Afro-Caribbean community *Caribbean Spanish *Caribbean English *History of the Caribbean *Indo-Caribbean *Music of the Caribbean *Piracy in the Caribbean *Politics of the Caribbean *Tourism in Caribbean '''Geography:''' *Islands of the Caribbean *Caribbean Sea *Americas (terminology) *List of Indigenous Names of Eastern Caribbean Islands *Middle America (Americas) *Mountain peaks of the Caribbean '''Organisations:''' *West Indies Federation *CONCACAF *Council on Hemispheric Affairs ==References== {{Reflist
colwidth=30em}} "Diversity Amid Globalization" 4th edition. Rowntree, Lewis, Price, Wyckoff. ==Further reading== *Develtere, Patrick. 1994. "Co-operation and development: With special reference to the experience of the Commonwealth Caribbean" ACCO, ISBN 90-334-3181-5 *Gowricharn, Ruben. Caribbean Transnationalism: Migraton, Pluralization, and Social Cohesion. Lanham: Lexington Books, 2006. *Henke, Holger, and Fred Reno, eds. Modern Political Culture in the Caribbean. Kingston: University of West Indies Press, 2003. *Heuman, Gad. The Caribbean: Brief Histories. London: A Hodder Arnold Publication, 2006 *Hillman, Richard S., and Thomas J. D'agostino, eds. Understanding the Contemporary Caribbean. London: Lynne Rienner, 2003. *de Kadt, Emanuel, (editor). ''Patterns of foreign influence in the Caribbean'', Oxford University Press, 1972 *Knight, Franklin W.. The Modern Caribbean. na: The University of North Carolina Press, 1989. *Kurlansky, Mark. 1992. ''A Continent of Islands: Searching for the Caribbean Destiny''. Addison-Wesley Publishing. ISBN 0-201-52396-5 *Langley, Lester D. The United States and the Caribbean in the Twentieth Century. London: University of Georgia Press, 1989. *Maingot, Anthony P. The United States and the Caribbean: Challenges of an Asymmetrical Relationship. Westview P, 1994. *Ramnarine, Tina K., "Beautiful Cosmos: Performance and Belonging in the Caribbean Diaspora". London, Pluto Press, 2007 *Serbin, Andres. "Towards an Association of Caribbean States: Raising Some Awkward Questions." Journal of Interamerican Studies and World Affairs (2004): 1-19. (This scholar has many articles referencing the politics of the Caribbean) ==External links== {{Sisterlinks}} * {{dmoz
Regional/Caribbean
Caribbean}} * [http://wikitravel.org/en/Caribbean Wikitravel - The Caribbean] * [http://www.dloc.com Digital Library of the Caribbean] *[http://countrystudies.us/caribbean-islands/ Federal Research Division of the U.S. Library of Congress]: Caribbean Islands (1987) *[http://www.bristol.ac.uk/is/library/collections/specialcollections/archives/#west West Indies papers] Miscellaneous personal and estate records, 1663–1929, University of Bristol Library Special Collections * [http://lanic.utexas.edu/country/caribbean/ LANIC Caribbean country pages] {{Regions of the world}} {{Coord
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