Caribbean Islands: Facts & Stats

CULTURE

Traditions:

Old African culture and customs influence much of the religious worship, artistic expression, rhythmic dancing, singing and even ways of thinking in the Caribbean. Spiritual practices such as Junkanoo in the Bahamas, Santeria in Cuba, Voodun in Haiti, and Rastafari in Jamaica are African-influenced movements that have Caribbean origin but a worldwide following. Reggae music and jerk cooking are also Africa-inspired gifts to the world from the Caribbean. In the Eastern Caribbean Soca Tradition, for example, the limbo dance ritual has its roots on the slave ships that came to the colonies on the horrific "Middle Passage."

Celebrations:

Every year, the islands of the Caribbean host hundreds of carnivals, festivals and holiday celebrations. A wide variety of sporting and gaming contests - from local competitions to world-class events - take place all year throughout the Caribbean. On land, there are tournaments in rugby, cricket, horse racing, and car racing. At sea, you can catch wind surfing competitions as well water-based triathlons and swimming and yachting races. A yachting regatta invites both seafaring and land-dwelling partiers - watching the ships compete is the ideal reason for an island fete. Special events abound in this region, so each island nation publishes an annual Calendar of Events. Here are some highlights from the Caribbean's exciting and packed events calendar:

• January
  • Jazz festival on Barbados
  • Wind surfing competitions throughout the Caribbean
  • Rhythm and blues festival on St. Croix


• February
  • Independence Day (27th) in the Dominican Republic
  • Presidents Day in the U.S. Virgin Islands (third week of the month)
  Carnival start-ups throughout the region (weeks preceding Lent) marked by competitions for Queen, King, Prince and Princess


• March
  • Yachting competition on St. Thomas (U.S.V.I.)
  • National Anthem and Flag Day on Aruba (18th)


• April
  • Kite flying events throughout the Caribbean to mark Easter
  • Opera season on Barbados
  • Classic Yacht Regatta of Antigua


• May
  • Culinary exhibits and competitions in Aruba
  • The St. Croix triathlon


• June
  • Goombay Festival in The Bahamas


• July
  • Independence Day (10th) in the Bahamas
  • Merengue Festival in the Dominican Republic
  • Crop Over Festival of Barbados (end of the month)
  • Kadooment Day, the biggest day of Carnival, in Barbados


• August
  • Crop Over Festival of Barbados (beginning of the month)
  • Saint Laurent's Day, for the patron saint of cooks, in Guadeloupe (11th)
  • Reggae Sumfest in Jamaica


• September
  • Jolly Harbour Regatta on Antigua


• October
  • Creole Week in the Dominican Republic
  • Harvest Moon Race of St. Croix
  • National Warri Festival of Antigua


• November
  • D. Hamilton Jackson Day, throughout the region
  • All Saints Day, throughout the Caribbean region
  • Armistice Day, throughout the Caribbean region
  • Veteran's Day, throughout the Caribbean region
  • Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. Virgin Islands
  • Independence Day in Barbados (30th)


• December
  • Christmas celebrations throughout the region
  • Junkanoo in the Bahamas (until New Year's)
  • Hatillo Festival of the Innocents in Puerto Rico (28th)

Alcohol:

The legal drinking age for alcohol beverages is 18.

Sports and Hobbies:

Sports in the Caribbean are a cultural mainstay and part of everyday life.

Football (Soccer) or fútbol, in Spanish. In fact, almost every Caribbean island and most of Latin America has been registered by FIFA, the official soccer association. The sport is extremely popular on the Caribbean islands.

Baseball, called beisbol in Spanish. In fact, two of the country's largest teams had formed by 1911. Baseball has reached high levels of popularity in the Caribbean. Many of the most popular players in the major leagues, such as Sammy Sosa, have come from the Caribbean.

The British sport of rugby has become popular throughout the Caribbean, even spawning the West Indies Rugby Union. This group is home to a number of Caribbean organizations of rugby teams.

Cricket in the Caribbean is unique as a sport. Teams are divided into Players and Gentlemen, and the Gentlemen are the leaders of the team. Some of cricket's most famous champions have been from these West Indies teams. Furthermore, the game has served for an outlet against racial issues through more recent years.

Though many other sports have been popular throughout the Caribbean, these four truly transcend national barriers. They've become popular with many islanders regardless of the race, income, or even language of the players.

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