There are three main groups of islands in the Caribbean: the Bahamas, the Greater Antilles and the Lesser Antilles. The largest Caribbean island is Spanish-speaking Cuba.

The biggest English-speaking island is Jamaica, and other large islands include Puerto Rico and Trinidad. Although the islands are independent states, there are links between them. The University of the West Indies, for example, has campuses in Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. For international cricket matches there is a West Indies team whose players come from different islands.

Bahamas 700 coral islands and 2,000 keys stretching 600 miles across a shallow, tropical sea. Famous for its marine life.

Jamaica Home of Bob Marley, reggae music and huge holiday resorts.

Puerto Rico Became a colony of the USA in 1898.

US Virgin Islands Bought by the USA from Denmark in 1917 for use as a naval base.

British Virgin Islands Named by Columbus when he landed there in 1493 on the feast-day of Saint Ursula and the Virgin Martyrs; now a British colony.

Antigua With 365 beaches, tourism is the main industry.

Montserrat Its volcano erupted and destroyed much of the island, including the capital, in 1996 and 1997. Parts of the island had to be evacuated.

Barbados The parliament, called the House of Assembly, dates from 1639.

Tobago The name comes from tobacco which was grown by the Carib tribes.

Trinidad Every year, a spectacular carnival takes place on the island.

“In the English Speaking World”