Caribbean Life

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

• What do you think of when you think of the Caribbean?
• Do you think of pirates?
• Maybe you remember a vacation your family has taken there?

Take a few minutes to write a paragraph about what comes to your mind when you think about the Caribbean. Then, share your writing with your teacher or parent.

Take a look at the map below.

• How would you describe the relative location of the region?

Write your response on a separate piece of paper.

The Caribbean is made up of more than 700 islands, islets (very small rocky islands), reefs, and cays (a small island made of sand or coral). Even though there are hundreds of small land bodies in the Caribbean Sea, only 2% are actually inhabited by people. The Caribbean islands are bordered by the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean. They are also surrounded by Central America, the southeast United States, and the northern part of South America.

The Caribbean is characterized by a tropical climate. That means the region has high, humid temperatures. The Caribbean receives a lot of rain from May through October, but the remaining months remain mostly dry.

The Caribbean is considered to consist of around 25 different countries, although the exact number can vary by source because many countries are owned by American and European powers. You will review a list of Caribbean countries. As you review the list, complete the following chart on a separate sheet of paper:

Use Caribbean Countries (MiPuebloNatal.com) to help you complete the chart. Click on each of the countries to learn more information. When you have finished completing the chart, answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper:

1. Which country has the largest population?
2. Which country has the smallest population?
3. What outside countries own islands in the Caribbean? Why are these countries interested in having a claim in the Caribbean region?
4. What are the major products and industries for the Caribbean region? Why do you think these products and industries are abundant in this region?
5. What is daily life like for locals on most Caribbean islands?

As you can see, most Caribbean islands are small and have large agriculture and tourism industries. Despite being popular tourist destinations, many of these countries are considered to be some of the poorest in the world.

• Would you want to live in the Caribbean?

Write your response and reason on a separate piece of paper.

Then, move onto the Got It? section to learn a little more about the history of the Caribbean region.