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Commonwealth Caribbean

The Commonwealth Caribbean, a collection of English-speaking sovereign states scattered across the Caribbean basin, represents a peculiar tapestry of history and culture. These aren't just islands bobbing in the azure; they include island nations and even mainland countries in the Americas that, by some twist of fate or administrative decision, found themselves under the umbrella of the Commonwealth of Nations after their stint within the vast British Empire. The designation, however, isn't always rigidly defined and can extend to include British Overseas Territories that still find themselves clinging to the British crown in the Caribbean Sea.

Nomenclature

Before the grand dismantling of empires, the British Crown colonies dotting the West Indies were lumped together under a rather uninspired moniker: the British West Indies. Once these territories started hoisting their own flags and charting their own courses, the more formal, albeit slightly less evocative, term "Commonwealth Caribbean" began to take root. It’s a label that signals a shared past, a common thread woven through the complex history of decolonization.

You might also hear it referred to as the English-speaking Caribbean, or the Anglophone Caribbean, or even the Anglo-Caribbean. Some might throw around "English-speaking West Indies," but one has to be careful. These broader terms can sometimes creep beyond the strict confines of Commonwealth membership, encompassing other English-speaking nations in the Caribbean that, for whatever reason, never joined the club. It’s a semantic minefield, really.

Countries and Territories

The Commonwealth Caribbean is a constellation of sovereign states that have, in their own way, navigated the post-colonial landscape as members of the Commonwealth. This geographical grouping is a mixed bag, comprising islands nestled within the Caribbean Sea and stretches of mainland territory in the Americas that kiss the Caribbean coast. And then, of course, there are the British Overseas Territories scattered across the Caribbean Sea and the vast expanse of the North Atlantic Ocean. While not independent nations, their shared history and language often see them grouped, however loosely, with the Commonwealth Caribbean.

When you talk about sheer size, the Bahamas takes the cake as the largest English-speaking island nation in the Caribbean. However, if you're thinking purely in terms of landmass on an island, Jamaica is the behemoth. But for the absolute largest territory by area, including those with continental borders, Guyana on the South American mainland claims the title. It’s a reminder that the Caribbean isn't just about scattered specks of land; it's also about the continents that cradle them.

Sovereign States

The Commonwealth Caribbean, in its most precise definition, encompasses twelve sovereign states. Ten of these are island nations, shimmering jewels in the Caribbean Sea, while the other two are continental countries, anchored to the Americas but deeply intertwined with the Caribbean identity. These twelve are:

Sovereign state Population (2023) [4] Area (km²) Commonwealth realm or a republic in the Commonwealth of Nations
Antigua and Barbuda 93,000 440 Realm
The Bahamas 399,000 13,943 Realm
Barbados 282,000 439 Republic
Belize [a] 411,000 22,966 Realm
Dominica 67,000 750 Republic
Grenada 117,000 344 Realm
Guyana [a] 826,000 214,969 Republic
Jamaica 2,840,000 10,991 Realm
Saint Kitts and Nevis 47,000 261 Realm
Saint Lucia 179,000 617 Realm
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 101,000 389 Realm
Trinidad and Tobago 1,503,000 5,131 Republic

Notes: • ^ a b Belize and Guyana, though situated on the mainland of the Americas, possess coastlines along the Caribbean Sea and are frequently grouped with other Caribbean Commonwealth states. It’s a geographical designation that often trumps strict continental definitions, which is… convenient, I suppose.

British Overseas Territories

The term "Commonwealth Caribbean" can also, rather loosely, be applied to the British Overseas Territories scattered throughout the Caribbean. The logic, if you can call it that, is that they are English-speaking, and the United Kingdom, their sovereign, is a member of the Commonwealth. However, to avoid confusion – and perhaps to maintain a semblance of distinct identity – more precise terms like "British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean," [5] "British Caribbean Territories," [6] or the rather quaint, bygone term "British West Indies" are generally preferred when referring exclusively to these territories.

These five territories, still under the British flag, are:

British Overseas Territory Population (2023) [7] Area (km²)
Anguilla 14,000 91
British Virgin Islands 39,000 153
Cayman Islands 73,000 259
Montserrat 4,000 102
Turks and Caicos Islands 46,000 948

Then there's Bermuda. It’s a British territory, and sometimes it gets tossed into the Commonwealth Caribbean pot. But spatially and geologically? It’s about as Caribbean as a polar bear. It’s a good 1,300 square kilometers (500 sq mi) north of the actual Caribbean Sea. So, while it might share some cultural echoes, calling it Caribbean feels like a stretch, even for me.

Intergovernmental Organizations and Unions

The mid-20th century saw a flurry of activity as Commonwealth Caribbean states attempted to forge closer ties through various political and economic unions. It was a period of nation-building, of trying to find strength in numbers after shedding colonial shackles.

Beyond the grander political and economic alliances, there’s a unifying force in the realm of sport. The national cricket associations of many Commonwealth Caribbean countries and British Overseas Territories are united under the banner of Cricket West Indies. While its core membership is drawn from the Commonwealth Caribbean, it also extends to representatives from two non-Commonwealth territories: Sint Maarten in the Dutch Caribbean and the United States Virgin Islands. This organization fields the iconic West Indies cricket team, a composite squad that competes on the global stage in International Cricket Council-sanctioned tournaments. It’s a remarkable example of how a shared passion can transcend political boundaries.

West Indies Federation (1958–62)

The West Indies Federation, a rather short-lived experiment in regional unity, existed between 1958 and 1962. Imagine a map of the Caribbean, with the members of this federation highlighted in red – a fleeting moment of supposed solidarity. This federation was composed of various Crown colonies that constituted the British West Indies, including not just Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, but also the British Leeward Islands and the British Windward Islands. It was an ambitious attempt to create a single, powerful dominion, but alas, it crumbled under the weight of internal disagreements and external pressures.

Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) (1965–1973)

The Caribbean Free Trade Association, or CARIFTA, was established on December 15, 1965. Its founding members were Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago. The primary objective was to weave the economies of the newly independent sovereign states of the British West Indies into a more cohesive fabric through a free trade agreement and to foster "balanced development" across the region. It was a pragmatic step towards economic integration. By 1968, seven more members had joined: Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla, Saint Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. British Honduras (now Belize) joined in 1971. CARIFTA served its purpose, paving the way for its successor, the Caribbean Community, in 1973. [9]

Caribbean Community (1973–present)

The Caribbean Community, more commonly known as CARICOM, emerged in 1973 from the ashes of CARIFTA. It represents a more comprehensive integration effort, encompassing all independent English-speaking island nations within the Caribbean, along with Belize, Guyana, and Montserrat. Associate members include all other British Caribbean territories and Bermuda. For a time, English stood as its sole official language, a reflection of its Anglophone origins, until 1995 when the addition of Dutch-speaking Suriname necessitated a broader linguistic approach.

Wider Anglophone Communities in the Region

The term "Commonwealth Caribbean" doesn't quite capture the full scope of English linguistic influence in the region. There are other Caribbean islands, outside the Commonwealth fold, where English holds sway as a primary or secondary language. This is why terms like Anglophone Caribbean, English-speaking Caribbean, Anglo-Caribbean, or English-speaking West Indies are often employed, offering a more inclusive, if sometimes less precise, description. [Citation needed]

But the reach of Anglophone Caribbean communities extends beyond the islands and even the formally recognized states. Along the Atlantic and Caribbean coasts of Central America, you'll find substantial communities with deep roots in the Commonwealth Caribbean. These communities began to take shape as early as the seventeenth century. They include areas within Nicaragua and Honduras that were once part of the Miskito Kingdom, which found itself under British protection after 1740. Then there are the Garifuna, a distinct ethnic group whose language is English-based, and who were deported to the coast in 1797. The Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina off the coast of Colombia also has a significant English-speaking presence. Furthermore, countless Anglophone Caribbean individuals were drawn to Central America by the ambitious endeavors of canal companies, like the French and American Panama Canal projects, railroad companies, and particularly the fruit companies, such as the United Fruit Company, especially from the 1870s and into the early twentieth century. Many of these individuals have maintained their distinct linguistic and cultural identities, never fully assimilating into the predominantly Spanish-speaking communities where they settled, such as the Caracoles of Honduras. [Citation needed]

Non-Commonwealth Anglophone Territories

There are several territories in the Caribbean that, while not part of the Commonwealth, maintain English as a significant language, often due to historical ties or specific circumstances.

Honduras

The Bay Islands of Honduras – primarily Guanaja, Roatán, and Útila – form a unique pocket of English-speaking culture within the predominantly Spanish-speaking nation. Historically, these islands were settled by people from the United Kingdom, primarily England. Despite being annexed by Honduras in the 1860s, the territory has largely remained English-speaking. This linguistic persistence is attributed to their relative isolation from mainland Honduras and ongoing immigration from other English-speaking Caribbean areas. While Spanish is the official language and the second most spoken tongue, many islanders are bilingual.

United States

In Puerto Rico, English has been one of the two official languages alongside Spanish since 1902. Despite over 400 years under Spanish rule (1493–1898) and remaining an American Commonwealth since 1898, English is taught in all schools and is the primary language for U.S. federal agencies operating on the island. Its official status was briefly revoked in 1991 but reinstated in 1993, solidifying its co-official standing. [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]

The U.S. Virgin Islands is another English-speaking territory administered by the United States. English has been the predominant and official language since 1917, when the islands transitioned from Danish to American rule. During Danish colonial times, Danish was the official language, but it was largely confined to administrative circles and spoken by a small Danish minority. As both the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are U.S. territories, they are not considered part of the Commonwealth. A local dialect, Virgin Islands Creole English, is spoken informally. The Crucian dialect on Saint Croix has subtle differences from those spoken on Saint Thomas and Saint John. [15] [16]

Netherlands

The official language in these constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is Dutch. However, English functions as the "language of everyday life," and education is conducted exclusively in English. A local English-based creole language, known as Netherlands Antilles Creole English, is also spoken informally. Over half the population is multilingual. While both English and Dutch are official and spoken, English is the principal language, used in the school system since the 19th century. Dutch is spoken by a smaller percentage. English is the sole medium of instruction in Saba’s schools, a policy supported by the Dutch government. [17] [18] [19]

Sint Maarten, another constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is also predominantly English-speaking. English is the primary language of administration and daily communication, and the first language for a significant majority of the population (67.5%). A local variety of Virgin Islands Creole is used in informal settings. Signage often features both Dutch and English. While Dutch is an official language, English dominates in practice. [20] [21]

France

Although French is the sole official language of this French overseas collectivity, English has been present since the 1600s. An English-based creole language, known locally as Saint Martin English, is spoken informally on both the French and Dutch sides of the island. [22] [23]

See Also

Other Parts of the Caribbean