Caribbean: Main Facts

Geographical location of the Caribbean

The Caribbean is located southeast of the Gulf of Mexico and Northern America, east of Central America, and to the north of South America.

Land/Sea Boundaries of the Caribbean

The Caribbean Sea lies to the North. It is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico, the Straits of Florida, and the Northern Atlantic Ocean lies to the East and Northeast. The coastline of the continent of South America lies to the south.

Languages in the Caribbean

English is not the official language of any of the islands but it is the most commonly spoken lanuage in the Caribbean due to British colonial background or the high rate of American tourism. Other official languages on the islands include Dutch, French and Spanish. The most common dialect is patois, which combines English and African words, and the language existing when the island was first colonized (typically French).

Currency of the Caribbean

One or two former British colonies still use sterling, but for the most part, independent Caribbean nations have their own forms of currency. Examples include the Barbadian Dollar, or they may be grouped together in economic unions like the Eastern Caribbean Dollar. U.S. currency in the Caribbean is usuallly accepted.