Map of the Caribbean Islands

The Caribbean is a geographically diverse region, encompassing over 7,000 islands, islets, reefs, and cays that stretch across the Caribbean Sea. This region, which spans nearly 1 million square miles, is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and east, and the coasts of Central and South America to the west and south. The Caribbean’s topography is as varied as its size, ranging from the rugged mountains of the Greater Antilles to the flat, coral-based islands of the Bahamas. The region is divided into three main island groups: the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles, and the Bahamas along with the Turks and Caicos Islands. Additionally, the southern Caribbean includes a cluster of islands located closer to the South American mainland. Understanding the geographic layout of these islands is essential for navigating the rich natural landscapes, unique ecosystems, and diverse climates that define the Caribbean.

Understanding the Caribbean Map: The Basics

The Caribbean region is a geographically diverse area consisting of over 7,000 islands, islets, reefs, and cays spread across the Caribbean Sea. This vast region is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and east, and the coastlines of Central and South America to the west and south. The islands themselves are divided into three primary groups based on their size, geological formation, and location: the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles, and the Bahamas along with the Turks and Caicos Islands. Additionally, the southern Caribbean includes several islands situated closer to the northern coast of South America.

The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands

The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos are coral-based archipelagos located on the northern edge of the Caribbean region. These islands are characterized by flat terrain, shallow banks, and extensive coral reefs:

• The Bahamas: An archipelago of 700 islands and over 2,000 cays, the Bahamas features low-lying, flat terrain composed primarily of limestone. The Great Bahama Bank and the Cay Sal Bank are significant geographical features, supporting rich marine ecosystems.
• Turks and Caicos: Comprising around 40 low-lying coral islands, Turks and Caicos is known for its extensive limestone formations and shallow coastal waters. The islands are surrounded by coral reefs, making them ideal for snorkeling and diving.

The Greater Antilles

The Greater Antilles is the largest and most geologically significant group of islands in the Caribbean, situated on the northern edge of the Caribbean Plate. These islands are primarily composed of limestone, with significant mountainous regions formed by tectonic uplift. The group includes:

• Cuba: The largest island in the Caribbean, Cuba is characterized by its extensive coastal plains, central limestone hills, and the Sierra Maestra mountain range in the southeast, where Pico Turquino, the highest point, reaches 1,974 meters.
• Hispaniola: Shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic, this island features rugged mountains and fertile valleys. The Cordillera Central runs through the Dominican Republic, peaking at Pico Duarte, the Caribbean's highest mountain at 3,098 meters.
• Jamaica: Jamaica’s topography is defined by its mountainous interior, with the Blue Mountains rising to 2,256 meters. The island's northern coast is lined with extensive coral reefs, while the southern coast is marked by plains and limestone plateaus.
• Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico is dominated by the Central Mountain Range, with the highest peak, Cerro de Punta, at 1,338 meters. The island also features extensive karst landscapes in the north, with unique limestone formations and subterranean rivers.

The Lesser Antilles

The Lesser Antilles form an arc of islands stretching from the Virgin Islands down to Grenada. This chain of islands is divided into two groups based on their geographic and geological characteristics:

Leeward Islands

The Leeward Islands, located on the northern part of the Lesser Antilles arc, are generally smaller and flatter than their southern counterparts. These islands are primarily volcanic in origin, with some featuring limestone and coral formations:

• Anguilla: A low-lying coral island, Anguilla has a flat topography with limestone cliffs and extensive coral reefs surrounding its coast.
• Antigua and Barbuda: Antigua is composed of limestone and volcanic rock, with a rugged coastline featuring numerous bays and natural harbors. Barbuda, a smaller, flat coral island, is known for its pink sand beaches and extensive barrier reefs.
• Saint Kitts and Nevis: These volcanic islands are characterized by mountainous interiors, with Mount Liamuiga on Saint Kitts rising to 1,156 meters. Nevis Peak dominates the landscape of Nevis, reaching 985 meters.
• Montserrat: Montserrat is known for its active Soufrière Hills volcano, which has significantly altered the island's topography since its eruption in the 1990s, burying large parts of the southern coast under volcanic ash.
• Virgin Islands (British and U.S.): Comprising more than 60 islands and islets, the Virgin Islands are geologically complex, with steep, hilly terrains and extensive coral reef systems, particularly around the smaller islands.
• Saint Barthélemy (St. Barts): A volcanic island with hilly terrain, Saint Barthélemy is surrounded by coral reefs and has a rugged coastline with many coves and small bays.
• Saint Martin/Sint Maarten: This island, divided between France and the Netherlands, is a volcanic island with low hills and coastal plains. It features Simpson Bay Lagoon, one of the largest inland lagoons in the Caribbean.
• Saba: Saba is a small volcanic island, with Mount Scenery, the highest point in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, rising to 887 meters. The island is known for its steep terrain and rugged coastlines.
• Saint Eustatius (Statia): This small island is dominated by the Quill, a dormant stratovolcano, which provides fertile soil and a diverse ecosystem.
• Saint Kitts: Part of the twin-island nation with Nevis, St. Kitts features a central mountain range with lush rainforests and fertile coastal plains.

Windward Islands

The Windward Islands, located in the southern part of the Lesser Antilles arc, are more geologically active and characterized by rugged, mountainous terrain due to their volcanic origins:

• Dominica: Known as the "Nature Island," Dominica is the most mountainous of the Caribbean islands, with the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring geothermal activity and the Boiling Lake.
• Martinique: Martinique’s landscape is dominated by Mount Pelée, an active stratovolcano that erupted in 1902. The island features a mix of mountainous terrain and lush rainforests, particularly in the north.
• Saint Lucia: Saint Lucia is known for its iconic Pitons, two volcanic spires that rise dramatically from the sea. The island also features volcanic beaches, fertile valleys, and the Sulphur Springs, the world’s only drive-in volcano.
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: The island of Saint Vincent is dominated by the active volcano La Soufrière, while the Grenadines are a chain of smaller, low-lying islands with coral reefs and white sand beaches.
• Grenada: Grenada, the southernmost of the Windward Islands, is a volcanic island with mountainous terrain, crater lakes, and lush rainforests. Mount Saint Catherine, the island's highest point, reaches 840 meters.

Southern Caribbean Islands

The southern Caribbean includes several islands located near the South American mainland. These islands are geologically distinct from the rest of the Caribbean, often featuring arid landscapes and unique coastal formations:

• Aruba: A flat, arid island with a coastline shaped by limestone cliffs and sandy beaches. The island's geography is marked by the presence of divi-divi trees and cactus-covered landscapes.
• Curaçao: Curaçao’s topography includes rolling hills and a rugged coastline with inlets and bays. The island’s interior features limestone plateaus and saline flats, with the highest point, Christoffelberg, reaching 372 meters.
• Bonaire: Bonaire is largely flat, with a dry climate and a landscape dominated by salt flats, cacti, and mangroves. The island is surrounded by fringing reefs, making it a premier destination for divers.
• Trinidad and Tobago: Trinidad’s northern range is an extension of the Andes Mountains, characterized by dense rainforests and rivers. Tobago, by contrast, features coral reefs and sandy beaches, with a central spine of low hills.
• Margarita Island (Isla Margarita): Located off the northeastern coast of Venezuela, Margarita Island has a varied landscape with mountains, plains, and a dry climate. The island’s diverse geography supports a range of ecosystems, from coastal mangroves to dry forests.

The Caribbean’s geography is a complex mosaic of islands, each shaped by unique geological forces and offering diverse landscapes. From the towering mountains of the Greater Antilles to the volcanic peaks of the Lesser Antilles and the coral reefs of the Bahamas, the region’s physical features are as varied as its cultures. The southern Caribbean islands, with their arid climates and proximity to South America, add further diversity to the region’s geography. Understanding this intricate geographical layout is essential for appreciating the natural beauty and ecological richness that define the Caribbean. Whether exploring the limestone plateaus of Cuba, the volcanic craters of Saint Lucia, or the coral reefs of Bonaire, each island holds a distinct place in the Caribbean’s dynamic landscape.