Latin America and the Caribbean: A Comprehensive Regional Breakdown
The regions of Latin America and the Caribbean comprise a diverse array of sovereign nations, overseas territories, and dependencies. From the vast landscapes of South America to the scattered archipelagos of the West Indies, these areas are categorized by geographical proximity and geopolitical administration, often following the UN geoscheme for standardization.
Key Facts
- The Caribbean is divided into the West Indies (Antilles and Lucayan Archipelago) and scattered islands.
- The Antilles are further split into the Greater and Lesser Antilles.
- Mexico is included within the Central America subregion according to the UN geoscheme.
- Bouvet Island is categorized under South America rather than Africa or Antarctica.
- Several territories in the region remain subject to international disputes, including Navassa Island and the Falkland Islands.
The Caribbean Region
The Caribbean is a complex maritime region consisting of various island groups and dependencies. The primary division is the West Indies, which encompasses the Antilles and the Lucayan Archipelago.
The Antilles
The Antilles are divided into two main groups based on size and location:
- Greater Antilles: This group includes larger landmasses such as Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico (United States). It also includes the Cayman Islands (United Kingdom) and Navassa Island, the latter of which is administered by the United States but claimed by Haiti.
- Lesser Antilles: A chain of smaller islands including sovereign states like Barbados, Dominica, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It also features various dependencies such as the British Virgin Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Dutch Caribbean (Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and the BES islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba). French territories include Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthélemy, and Saint Martin.
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Lucayan Archipelago and Scattered Islands
The Lucayan Archipelago consists of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands (United Kingdom). Additionally, the region includes scattered islands such as the Federal Dependencies of Venezuela.
Latin America
Latin America is broadly divided into Central and South America, spanning from the northern borders of Mexico to the southern tip of Argentina.
Central America
Central America serves as the land bridge between North and South America. According to the UN geoscheme, this subregion includes Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
The region also includes offshore islands and banks, such as San Andrés and Providencia (Colombia), as well as the Bajo Nuevo Bank and Serranilla Bank. These latter two are administered by Colombia but claimed by the United States.
South America
South America is home to large sovereign nations and several overseas territories. Major countries include Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela. The region also encompasses French Guiana (France), Suriname, Guyana, and the Falkland Islands, which are administered by the United Kingdom but claimed by Argentina.
Notably, the UN geoscheme classifies Bouvet Island (Norway) as part of South America, despite its remote location.
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Regional Summary Table
| Major Region | Subregion | Key Examples/Territories |
|---|---|---|
| Caribbean | Greater Antilles | Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Haiti |
| Caribbean | Lesser Antilles | Barbados, Martinique, Aruba, Grenada |
| Caribbean | Lucayan Archipelago | Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands |
| Latin America | Central America | Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Costa Rica |
| Latin America | South America | Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries are part of the Greater Antilles?
The Greater Antilles include Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the Cayman Islands, and Navassa Island.
Is Mexico considered part of Central America?
Yes, under the UN geoscheme, Mexico is included in the Central America subregion.
What are the BES islands?
The BES islands are the Caribbean Netherlands territories consisting of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba.
Which South American territory is administered by Norway?
Bouvet Island is a Norwegian dependency that the UN geoscheme includes as part of South America.
What is the status of the Falkland Islands?
The Falkland Islands are administered by the United Kingdom but are claimed by Argentina.