] The Caribbean (Spanish: Caribe; French: Caraïbe; Dutch: Caraïben; Portuguese: Caribe or Caraíbas) is a region of the Americas consisting of the Caribbean Sea, its islands (most of which enclose the sea), and the surrounding coasts. Located southeast of Northern America, east of Central America, and to the north and west of South America, the Caribbean is usually considered a subregion of North America.

Situated largely on the Caribbean Plate, the area comprises more than 7,000 islands, islets, reefs, and cayes. The West Indies, in contrast to the East Indies in southeast Asia, consist of the Antilles, divided into the larger Greater Antilles which bound the sea on the north and the Lesser Antilles on the east, and the Bahamas which are northeast of the sea. Bermuda lies much further to the north in the Atlantic Ocean and is sometimes included in the West Indies. Geopolitically, the West Indies are organized into 28 territories including sovereign states, overseas departments, and dependencies. At one time, there was a short-lived country called the Federation of the West Indies composed of ten English-speaking Caribbean territories.

The name "Caribbean" is named after the Caribs, one of the dominant Amerindian groups in the region at the time of European contact during the late 15th century. The analogous "West Indies" originates from Christopher Columbus' idea that he had landed in the Indies (then meaning all of south and east Asia) when he had actually reached the Americas. The Spanish term Antillas was commonly assigned to the newly discovered lands; stemming from this, "Sea of the Antilles" is a common alternate name for the Caribbean Sea in various European languages.

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Explorer of the Seas 9 Night Caribbean Cruise 15 April 2010 - Fly from the UK to Cape Liberty, cruise from Cape Lib... http://ow.ly/15Zlyw
cruisegle (cruisegle) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:24:10 -0000
Explorer of the Seas 9 Night Caribbean Cruise 15 April 2010 - Fly from the UK to Cape Liberty, cruise from Cape Lib... http://ow.ly/15Zlyw
Stabroek News - GMRSC boss predicts spectacular Caribbean Motor ...: Many motor-racing pundits believe that the Bajan's car suits the hig..
SpeedRa (Speed Racing) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:21:07 -0000
Stabroek News - GMRSC boss predicts spectacular Caribbean Motor ...: Many motor-racing pundits believe that the Bajan's car suits the hig..
Just added myself to the http://wefollow.com twitter directory under: #bristol_uk #youngenterprise #blackbusiness #africa #caribbean
ACYE2009 (Young Black Business) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:20:51 -0000
Just added myself to the http://wefollow.com twitter directory under: #bristol_uk #youngenterprise #blackbusiness #africa #caribbean
RT @jasonbrewerwesh: Hurricane hunters to fly to what could be our next depression in the Caribbean this afternoon.
amysweezey (Amy Sweezey) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:20:28 -0000
RT @jasonbrewerwesh: Hurricane hunters to fly to what could be our next depression in the Caribbean this afternoon.
Hurricane hunters to fly to what could be our next depression in the Caribbean this afternoon.
jasonbrewerwesh (Jason Brewer) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:19:06 -0000
Hurricane hunters to fly to what could be our next depression in the Caribbean this afternoon.
RT @arubarental Looking for a #Caribbean vacation in #Aruba, try renting a condo... see our web site at... http://www.arubarental.net
ArubaAwaits (Aruba is 1 :) Island) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:17:30 -0000
RT @arubarental Looking for a #Caribbean vacation in #Aruba, try renting a condo... see our web site at... http://www.arubarental.net

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