Caribbean Sea

The Caribbean Sea is a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean and one of the world’s most massive seas. Its boundaries extend to Venezuela, Colombia, and Panama to the south, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Puerto Rico to the North and the Central American countries to the West. The sea has an approximate area of about 2, 754,000 square meters.

Caribbean Sea Facts for Kids

• First, the Caribbean Sea is home to the World’s second largest barrier reef.
• The barrier reef is known as the Mesoamerican Barrier reef and runs about 620 miles.
• It has been shown that about 14 % of the coral reefs in the worlds are in the Caribbean Sea.
• Unfortunately, the Caribbean Coral species is drastically dying off.
• Second, the sea is a habitat to a considerable number of fish species, mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles.
• The sea homes over 1000 species of fish which include the flying fish, the angelfish, the Atlantic Goliath Grouper, and sharks.
• There are well over 500 species of reptiles such as the sea turtle, the American crocodile, and the Rock Iguanas.
• Further, there are over 170 species of amphibian’s key among them being the poison dart frogs and the toad family.
• Other marine life includes 600 species of birds. The marine life much depends on the over 13,000 species of plant life found in the sea.
• Tourism – The Caribbean Sea is a major tourist attraction due to its vast barrier reef. The habitat that supports the reefs is ideal for the popular tourist activities such as diving and fishing.
• Oil exploration -T he Caribbean Sea is a large oil production zone. The area produces about 170 million tons of oil every year making it a major world oil producer.
• Fish Production – There are well over 1000 species of fish species accounting for about 500,000 tons of fish a year.
• Agriculture- It has remained a significant revenue earning activity through the subsistence farming of bananas, Cocoa, Sugar Cane and Coconuts
• Mining – In addition to oil mining, the Caribbean Sea experiences extensive drilling operation in Natural gas asphalt and petroleum
• Transport – The sea hosts excellent coastal and port infrastructure
• Trade – Due to its significant economic activities, the sea experiences major import and exports
• Drug development- The sea’s rich Marine natural products have been greatly used in drug discovery. The Caribbean Sea’s natural plants have been a source of world’s popular drugs.
• The Caribbean Sea derived its name from the Native American group known as Caribs. Initially, the Caribbean Sea was known as the North Sea and South Sea. During the early colonial era, the Caribbean Sea was notorious for piracy. This setting formed the subject of several literary works including the Famous Film named the Pirates of the Caribbean.
• The sea is composed of several gulfs and bays. Key among them is the Gulf of Venezuela, the Gulf of Paria and the Gulf of Honduras.
• The Caribbean Sea is particularly popular for its many islands. It is said that there are well over 7,000 islands within the Caribbean waters. The Islands are spread across 28 nations. Some of the nation’s bordering the sea is Cuba, Nicaragua, Mexico, Jamaica, the United Nations, and Costa Rica.

Questions

1. What should be done to preserve the Caribbean Coral species?
2. How would you describe the climate of the Caribbean Sea?
3. How many islands are within the Caribbean Sea?
4. Who was the first explorer to venture into the Caribbean Sea?

Answers

1. It reduces coastal pollution which is the primary threat to coral species. Also, there should be measures to reduce direct Human Impact on the reefs.
2. It is generally tropical.
3. There are over 7,000 islands. Out of this, there are about 13 independent counties while the others are dependencies of other territories.
4. An Italian explorer named Christopher Colombus.