| Nine of Cups Island Hopping in the Eastern Caribbean 2002-2003 |
| From the Turks & Caicos, we sailed into the eastern Caribbean, arriving first in the port of Luperon, Dominican Republic. We tried to explore each place we visited, learn about its history, culture and people. Come with us as we discover for ourselves each island's unique features and offerings. |
| Click on a place above to go island hopping and exploring with Nine of Cups and crew. Come on...you'll love it! |
| The extent of the Caribbean is about 1,063,000 square miles or 2,754,000 square kilometers. The Caribbeans greatest depth is called the Cayman Trench, between Cuba and Jamaica. It is about 25,216 feet or 1,686 meters below sea level. |
| Indians were the first inhabitants here, and then, in 1492, Christopher Columbus began his exploration of these islands, becoming the first European to venture into the area. After reportedly landing in the Bahamas, Columbus named these islands the Indies, because he thought he had finally reached Asia (and the East Indies). Numerous explorers followed in his path, then settlers arrived from the Americas and Europe. Included in that mix were religious outcasts, slaves from Africa, and a small army of pirates. Great military powers would fight for control of the islands, and finally, a blended mix of African and European cultures and languages transformed this large group of islands and its peoples into one of the premier tourist destinations on the planet. Long called the West Indies, the overall area is now commonly referred to as the Caribbean, a name that became popular after World War II. |