| The Caribbean is a region of
the Americas consisting of the Caribbean Sea, its islands (most of which
enclose the sea), and the surrounding coasts. The region is located
southeast of Northern America, east of Central America, and to the north and
west of South America. Situated largely on the Caribbean Plate, the area
comprises more than 7,000 islands, islets, reefs, and cayes. The West Indies
consist of the Antilles, divided into the larger Greater Antilles which
bound the sea on the north and the Lesser Antilles on the south and east
(including the Leeward Antilles), 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. |
