The Countries of the Caribbean Region
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Caribbean Countries by Land Area
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The Caribbean region is located to the southeast of the North American continent and the Gulf of Mexico. The entire region is made up of more than 7,000 islands, islets (very small rocky islands), coral reefs, and cays (small, sandy islands above coral reefs).
The region covers an area of 1,063,000 square miles (2,754,000 sq km) and has a population of nearly 38 million people (2017 estimate). It is most known for its warm, tropical climate, and natural beauty. The Caribbean is considered a biodiversity hotspot.
These independent countries are part of the Caribbean region. They are listed according to their land area, and their populations and capital cities have been included for reference. All statistical information comes from the CIA World Factbook.
Cuba
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Area: 42,803 square miles (110,860 sq km)
Population: 11,147,407
Capital: Havana
The island of Cuba averages one hurricane every other year; most recently, Irma delivered a direct hit in 2017. Droughts are also common.
Dominican Republic
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Area: 18,791 square miles (48,670 sq km)
Population: 10,734,247
Capital: Santo Domingo
The Dominican Republic comprises the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti. The Dominican has both the Caribbean's highest peak and lowest elevation in a lake.
Haiti
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Area: 10,714 square miles (27,750 sq km)
Population: 10,646,714
Capital: Port au Prince
Haiti is the most mountainous nation in the Caribbean, though its neighboring country, the Dominican Republic, has the tallest peak.
The Bahamas
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Area: 5,359 square miles (13,880 sq km)
Population: 329,988
Capital: Nassau
30 of the Bahamas' islands are inhabited, with most of the people living in cities. Only 1.4 percent of the country's land is agricultural, and 51 percent is forested.
Jamaica
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Area: 4,243 square miles (10,991 sq km)
Population: 2,990,561
Capital: Kingston
Population density is high in Jamaica, especially in its largest cities. The mountainous island is about half the size of New Jersey.
Trinidad and Tobago
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Area: 1,980 square miles (5,128 sq km)
Population: 1,218,208
Capital: Port of Spain
Trinidad has the world's largest supply of naturally occurring asphalt in the aptly named Pitch Lake.
Dominica
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Area: 290 square miles (751 sq km)
Population: 73,897
Capital: Roseau
The population of Dominica is mostly on the coasts, as the island has a volcanic origin. Popular tourist destinations include the Valley of Desolation and the Boiling Lake.
Saint Lucia
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Area: 237 square miles (616 sq km)
Population: 164,994
Capital: Castries
The last major eruptions on St. Lucia occurred between 3,700 and 20,000 years ago, near Sulphur Springs.
Antigua and Barbuda
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Area: 170 square miles (442 sq km)
Population: 94,731
Capital: Saint John's
Almost all of the population of Antigua and Barbuda lives on Antigua. The island features many beaches and harbors.
Barbados
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Area: 166 square miles (430 sq km)
Population: 292,336
Capital: Bridgetown
Located the eastern part of the Caribbean, Barbados is the most densely populated country, with a third of the population living in urban areas. The island's terrain is relatively flat.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
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Area: 150 square miles (389 sq km)
Population: 102,089
Capital: Kingstown
Most of the population of St. Vincent and the Grenadines lives in or around the capital city. Volcano La Soufriere last erupted in 1979.
Grenada
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Area: 133 square miles (344 sq km)
Population: 111,724
Capital: Saint George's
The island of Grenada has the volcanic Mount St. Catherine. Nearby, underwater and the north, lie the playfully-named volcanoes Kick 'Em Jenny and Kick 'Em Jack.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
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Area: 100 square miles (261 sq km)
Population: 52,715
Capital: Basseterre
These two volcanic islands resemble the shape of a baseball bat and a ball. They are separated by a channel called The Narrows.