[freetx]

Adjacent islands are extensions of the mountain ranges of the main island, which dip into the sea and emerge again as smaller islands. The volcanic islands of Vieques and Culebra are extensions of the geological system of the Central Cordillera. They began forming 100,000,000 years ago with a series of underground movements that included the tectonic plate pressure beneath the Caribbean plate and the shifting toward the east (from Vieques, PR website). Today, Isla Vieques, with its rolling hills and breathtaking coastlines, is one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. [links]

[fabianhjr]

Geographic Information System to generate geological [links]

[Albert Novel]

Geography of Cuba, retrieved on 1/07/2012 from

[destine]

The Sierra del Rosario, has an average altitude ranging between 300 and 700 meters, the maximum altitude is reached in Guajaibón with 702 meters. Its vegetations is mainly pine and broadleaf trees, including hardwoods, and pasture areas.

[Mimaia1982]

The climate is the typical humidity of tropical islands with an average 26º C. The temperature changes with altitude, and can drop to 10º C. more

[lowifi]

The Greater Antilles consists of the Island of Hispaniola, which is now Haiti and the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.

[ysilk]

The mountain chains continued to wear by the rain and wind. This resulted in the formation of new broad valleys and plains, fertile sediments composed of volcanic rocks and limestone (the World’s Coasts on-line – Puerto Rico). Possibly some 5,000,000 years ago, new plate movements on the island rose hundreds of feet above sea level, increasing the height of the mountains. These movements of the ocean floor created new limestone soils around the coasts. here

[walidzohair]

The Lesser Antilles is made up of three groups of smaller islands: the Virgin Islands, Bahamas archipelago, and the Windward and Leeward Islands.

[walidzohair]

The Council for the Conservation and Study of Underwater Archaeological Sites and Resources has overall responsibility for underwater archeological sites under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Attached to the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, the Council includes representatives of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, the Commonwealth Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, the Commonwealth Historic Preservation Office, archeology professors from Puerto Rican universities, and experts in the field of underwater archeology. The Council works in cooperation with other government agencies and universities, and oftentimes undertakes joint projects to survey and investigate sites in Puerto Rican waters.

[tamal451]

You need a permit from the Council for the Conservation and Study of Underwater Archaeological Sites and Resources to conduct work at archeological sites in inland and coastal waters under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Permits are issued for exploration and excavation, and for recovery or salvage. Applicants must submit an archeological research design and an environmental impact statement. Persons who are authorized to study underwater archeological sites must use the most advanced scientific techniques available to prevent environmental damage.

[generator]

The remains of the SS Antonio López lie where it ran aground in 1898 near Ensenada Honda. (NPS photo) here

[Bloof]

Three sites associated with the Spanish-American War are the SS Antonio López, the Manuela, and the Cristóbal Colón. The Antonio López was a blockade runner that was shelled by the United States Navy and grounded on a reef about seven miles west of San Juan. The Manuela and the Cristóbal Colón were scuttled by the Spanish to block the entrance channel to San Juan Harbor. In 1997, the Antonio López was designated as a National Historic Landmark. In 2001, the remains of the Manuela and the Cristóbal Colón were removed from the harbor for preservation prior to making improvements to the shipping channel, and placed near the Antonio López. [links]

[chasekennedy63]

When Christopher Columbus landed in Puerto Rico in 1493, the islands were inhabited by a group of Arawak-speaking people known as the Taino. Juan Ponce de Leon established a Spanish colony on the island of Puerto Rico in 1508. During the next 275 years, the Spanish fortified San Juan with massive city walls and fortifications to protect the harbor and the sea lanes between Spain and its colonies in the Americas. more

[DerrickEaton]

The Island of Enchantment, Puerto Rico is the easternmost island of the Greater Antilles. The Puerto Rican Archipelago includes a number of islands and cays, the largest of which are Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, and Mona. San Juan Harbor is one of the largest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean Sea. Puerto Rico has many rivers and streams but none are navigable by large vessels. More than a dozen man-made lakes have been formed along the main rivers. The coastline is 311 miles long and about 35% (1,900 square miles) of the Commonwealth is covered by water.

[DrakxQueen3iv]

Here are the islands that make up the French West Indies. There are two different groups, independent nations that still have strong French influence, and French Republic which are still a possession of France. Also French Guiana is often grouped into the French Caribbean. here

[jessw1]

The Lesser Antilles, the small islands, and are divided up into a couple geographical areas as well. In the south, you have the Windward Islands and in the north you have the Leeward Islands. We dive into those area a little more below. The Lesser Antilles chain starts in the Virgin Islands and wraps the eastern Caribbean all the way down to Trinidad and Tobago. They tend to also include the small islands north of South America as well. Those being Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Los Roques, and a few other small Venezuelan islands.

[janapanda09]

If you’re planning a trip to the islands, make sure you grab a Caribbean Preferred Discount Card. It’s the largest collection of Caribbean discounts on the internet and it will save you hundreds. It can even get you free drinks at some pretty awesome bars and restaurants throughout the islands! You’ll love it.

[jiffy]

In 2010 the group of islands became independent from the Netherlands. Aruba seceded 24 years before that. Those they are their own territories now, all six islands still have some political ties to the Netherlands. here

[stevesaxon]

If you are looking for a complete guide on the Caribbean, you might find this useful. And since you are here to explore the Caribbean, the best way to do that is with a map. I have maps of the Caribbean up throughout our house. It always helps to explore with your eye, even when you’re not on island. Here is one that shoes the regions of the Caribbean, and here is a retro, old-style map that would look great framed.