Caribbean Countries and Regions

The Caribbean is a region of the Americas consisting of the Caribbean Sea, its islands, and the surrounding coasts. It encompasses 13 countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, as well as several overseas territories of European countries and dependencies.

Antigua and Barbuda

Country Overview:

Antigua and Barbuda is located in the Eastern Caribbean, covering an area of approximately 442 square kilometers. It consists of two major islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and several smaller islands. Antigua and Barbuda are famous for their stunning beaches, such as Dickenson Bay and Half Moon Bay, as well as historical sites like Nelson’s Dockyard and Shirley Heights.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: November 1, 1981 (from the United Kingdom)
  • Population: Approximately 98,000
  • Capital City: Saint John’s
  • Language: English
  • Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
  • Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time (UTC-4)
  • Country Area Code: +1-268
  • Top-Level Domain: .ag
  • ISO Country Codes: AG, ATG

Bahamas

Country Overview:

The Bahamas is an archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean, covering an area of approximately 13,878 square kilometers. It consists of over 700 islands, with the main islands being New Providence, Grand Bahama, and Great Abaco. The Bahamas is famous for its stunning beaches, including Pink Sands Beach and Paradise Island, its vibrant coral reefs, and its luxury resorts.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: July 10, 1973 (from the United Kingdom)
  • Population: Approximately 393,000
  • Capital City: Nassau
  • Language: English
  • Currency: Bahamian Dollar (BSD)
  • Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5)
  • Country Area Code: +1-242
  • Top-Level Domain: .bs
  • ISO Country Codes: BS, BHS

Barbados

Country Overview:

Barbados is an island country located in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, covering an area of approximately 430 square kilometers. It is known for its beautiful beaches, such as Crane Beach and Bottom Bay, its vibrant music and cultural scene, and its colonial architecture in the capital city of Bridgetown, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: November 30, 1966 (from the United Kingdom)
  • Population: Approximately 287,000
  • Capital City: Bridgetown
  • Language: English
  • Currency: Barbadian Dollar (BBD)
  • Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time (UTC-4)
  • Country Area Code: +1-246
  • Top-Level Domain: .bb
  • ISO Country Codes: BB, BRB

Cuba

Country Overview:

Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean, covering an area of approximately 109,884 square kilometers. It is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty, including its white sandy beaches, lush mountains, and vibrant cities like Havana, known for its colorful colonial architecture and classic cars.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: January 1, 1899 (from Spain)
  • Population: Approximately 11.3 million
  • Capital City: Havana
  • Language: Spanish
  • Currency: Cuban Peso (CUP), Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC)
  • Time Zone: Cuba Standard Time (UTC-5)
  • Country Area Code: +53
  • Top-Level Domain: .cu
  • ISO Country Codes: CU, CUB

Dominica

Country Overview:

Dominica, often called the “Nature Isle of the Caribbean,” is located in the Lesser Antilles, covering an area of approximately 751 square kilometers. It is known for its lush rainforests, volcanic landscapes, and natural attractions such as Boiling Lake and Trafalgar Falls.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: November 3, 1978 (from the United Kingdom)
  • Population: Approximately 72,000
  • Capital City: Roseau
  • Language: English
  • Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
  • Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time (UTC-4)
  • Country Area Code: +1-767
  • Top-Level Domain: .dm
  • ISO Country Codes: DM, DMA

Dominican Republic

Country Overview:

The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles, with an area of approximately 48,670 square kilometers. It is known for its diverse landscapes, including tropical rainforests, mountain ranges, and beautiful beaches along the Caribbean coast.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: February 27, 1844 (from Haiti)
  • Population: Approximately 10.8 million
  • Capital City: Santo Domingo
  • Language: Spanish
  • Currency: Dominican Peso (DOP)
  • Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time (UTC-4)
  • Country Area Code: +1-809, +1-829, +1-849
  • Top-Level Domain: .do
  • ISO Country Codes: DO, DOM

Grenada

Country Overview:

Grenada is an island country located in the southeastern Caribbean Sea, covering an area of approximately 344 square kilometers. It is known as the “Spice Isle” for its production of nutmeg and other spices, as well as its stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and colorful coral reefs.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: February 7, 1974 (from the United Kingdom)
  • Population: Approximately 112,000
  • Capital City: St. George’s
  • Language: English
  • Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
  • Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time (UTC-4)
  • Country Area Code: +1-473
  • Top-Level Domain: .gd
  • ISO Country Codes: GD, GRD

Haiti

Country Overview:

Haiti occupies the western third of the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles, covering an area of approximately 27,750 square kilometers. It is known for its vibrant culture, historical landmarks such as the Citadelle Laferrière and Sans-Souci Palace, and its resilient people.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: January 1, 1804 (from France)
  • Population: Approximately 11.4 million
  • Capital City: Port-au-Prince
  • Language: Haitian Creole, French
  • Currency: Haitian Gourde (HTG)
  • Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5)
  • Country Area Code: +509
  • Top-Level Domain: .ht
  • ISO Country Codes: HT, HTI

Jamaica

Country Overview:

Jamaica is an island country located in the Caribbean Sea, covering an area of approximately 10,991 square kilometers. It is known for its stunning beaches, vibrant music scene (particularly reggae), and cultural heritage sites such as the Bob Marley Museum and the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: August 6, 1962 (from the United Kingdom)
  • Population: Approximately 2.9 million
  • Capital City: Kingston
  • Language: English
  • Currency: Jamaican Dollar (JMD)
  • Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5)
  • Country Area Code: +1-876
  • Top-Level Domain: .jm
  • ISO Country Codes: JM, JAM

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Country Overview:

Saint Kitts and Nevis is a twin-island country located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, covering a total area of approximately 261 square kilometers. It is known for its pristine beaches, historic sites like Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, and its vibrant Carnival celebrations.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: September 19, 1983 (from the United Kingdom)
  • Population: Approximately 53,000
  • Capital City: Basseterre
  • Language: English
  • Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
  • Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time (UTC-4)
  • Country Area Code: +1-869
  • Top-Level Domain: .kn
  • ISO Country Codes: KN, KNA

Saint Lucia

Country Overview:

Saint Lucia is located in the eastern Caribbean Sea, covering an area of approximately 617 square kilometers. It is known for its lush rainforests, volcanic peaks (including the iconic Pitons), and beautiful beaches, such as Anse Chastanet and Marigot Bay.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: February 22, 1979 (from the United Kingdom)
  • Population: Approximately 183,000
  • Capital City: Castries
  • Language: English
  • Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
  • Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time (UTC-4)
  • Country Area Code: +1-758
  • Top-Level Domain: .lc
  • ISO Country Codes: LC, LCA

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Country Overview:

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an island country located in the Lesser Antilles, covering an area of approximately 389 square kilometers. It is known for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and sailing destinations in the Grenadines, as well as its lush rainforests and volcanic landscapes.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: October 27, 1979 (from the United Kingdom)
  • Population: Approximately 110,000
  • Capital City: Kingstown
  • Language: English
  • Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
  • Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time (UTC-4)
  • Country Area Code: +1-784
  • Top-Level Domain: .vc
  • ISO Country Codes: VC, VCT

Trinidad and Tobago

Country Overview:

Trinidad and Tobago is located off the northern coast of South America, covering an area of approximately 5,128 square kilometers. It is known for its diverse cultural heritage, Carnival celebrations, and natural attractions such as the Pitch Lake and the Caroni Bird Sanctuary.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: August 31, 1962 (from the United Kingdom)
  • Population: Approximately 1.4 million
  • Capital City: Port of Spain
  • Language: English
  • Currency: Trinidad and Tobago Dollar (TTD)
  • Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time (UTC-4)
  • Country Area Code: +1-868
  • Top-Level Domain: .tt
  • ISO Country Codes: TT, TTO