Updated: May 25, 2018:

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Expanding Cannabis Operations in Latin America & The Caribbean: Peru - JD Supra

Frontier Airlines, the no-frills carrier with cheap tickets and a pile of fees, is growing again.

The Denver-based airline on Wednesday announced 18 new nonstop routes and put seven previously announced routes out of Newark International Airport, which itbegan serving in November after Southwest Airlines' exit, on sale.

The new flights include Frontier's first service to El Salvador and Guatemala, and a big boost in flights out of Miami, ahub for American Airlines.Frontier has served Central America in the past, but with service to Costa Rica that has since ended.

The airline is also adding two new destinations in the Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo and Santiago.Frontier already serves Punta Cana and was supposed to add Newark-Punta Cana next spring, but tickets did not go on sale today along with other new Newark routes, and the airline provided no details on the flights.

Frontier regularly experiments with routes, introducing most on a seasonalbasis with flights a few times a week, and quickly pullsthem if bookings don't meet expectations.

Like fellow discounters Spirit and Allegiant, Frontier charges for carry-on bags and soft drinks on the plane, in addition to the typical airline charges for checked bags.

A Frontier Airlines jet at Denver International Airport. The airline is headquartered in Denver.(Photo: Frontier Airlines)

Miami International Airport to and from:

Baltimore/Washington International Airport to and from:

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Ontario International Airport, Ontario, California, to and from:

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Frontier adding 18 nonstop routes, including new flights to Caribbean, El Salvador and Guatemala - USA TODAY

With sunny weather, relaxing breezes and stunning sunsets on picturesque beaches, theres a reason Caribbean resorts are so popular with honeymooners. When looking for romance and adventure, pretty much the entire region of the Caribbean is perfect for a getaway. One spot in particular, however, was named the most romantic destination in the Caribbean by the World Travel Awards for 2019.

The 24 Most Romantic Cities in the World

There were 12 nominees for the Caribbeans Most Romantic Destination in 2019 but the winner was a British Overseas Territory: Turks and Caicos Islands. Situated in the North Atlantic Ocean southeast of the Bahamas and north of Haiti, the Turks and Caicos Islands encompass 366 square miles with 150 miles of beautiful coastline. Home to about 53,700 people, the sparsely populated islands have unbelievably clear, blue waters and the third-largest coral system in the world, making them a top spot for snorkeling and scuba diving enthusiasts. Just eight of the 30 Turks and Caicos islands are inhabited, with Grand Turk being the most densely so and Providenciales being the most populated overall.

The Turks and Caicos Islands were also named the Caribbeans Leading Beach Destination for the eighth year in a row at the 2019 World Travel Awards Caribbean & North America Gala Ceremony. For this award, Turks and Caicos beat out 13 other destinations, including Aruba, Jamaica, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands.

Nominees for each award at the World Travel Awards include the previous years winner and two runners-up, as well as World Travel Awards commendations and self-nominations that are vetted and approved. Votes are then cast online, with any votes cast by verified travel industry professionals counting for two votes. Each vote is validated through an internal audit, as well.

Popular with cruise-goers, the Turks and Caicos Islands are relatively dry outside of the hurricane season, although they do have plenty of marshes and mangrove swamps. The beaches really are the star of the show, however, with popular spots including Half Moon Bay, Mudjin Harbour, Leeward Beach and the world-famous Grace Bay Beach. Whats even better is that, after hurricane season, you dont have to wait until spring again to get the best out of the islands. The Turks and Caicos Islands are just one of many warm-weather destinations that are super affordable in the winter.

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This Is the Most Romantic Destination in the Caribbean - Yahoo Lifestyle

Anguilla is one of the regions buzziest luxury destinations and if youre heading there for the winter tourist season, theres one great way to get there.

The Caribbeans leading luxury airline has relaunched its service to the island of Anguilla.

Tradewind Aviation, which operates scheduled flights to some of the Caribbeans most exclusive destinations (along with charter service across the region), has relaunched its flights from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Anguilla.

From now through Jan. 5, the flights will be operating seven days per week.

From Jan. 6-April 13, 2020, the Anguilla flights will be operating four times each week, with round-trip service on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Monday.

Tradewind, known for its luxe Pilatus PC12 service to destinations like St Barth, Nevis and Antigua, is unquestionably the best way to get to Anguilla, meaning travelers can cut out long immigration lines and waits at the ferry terminal and instead arrive in style directly at Anguillas Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport.

Tradewind operates a VIP lounge on the second floor of San Juans Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, meaning travelers can arrive in Puerto Rico, check in and simply take the elevator directly to the boarding area and lounge.

And Tradewinds broad network of interline agreements, from airlines like United and British Airways, mean you can book your Anguilla itineraries on a single ticket and check your bags all the way through Anguilla.

Even better, Tradewind recently signed an interline agreement with American Airlines, too.

Anguilla has long had one of the Caribbeans most opulent hotel products, from the iconic Cap Juluca to the Four Seasons to what is now a pair of CuisinArt-branded resorts.

Its a hotel product that continues to grow, from the new Relais & Chateaux Quintessence Hotel to the recently-expanded Malliouhana, which just added 11 new beachfront suites, four new garden units and a two-bedroom villa to its portfolio on Meads Bay Beach.

But Anguillas maritime arrival experience has often been less than luxurious, with excessive waits and processing times at the ferry terminal making Tradewind the obvious choice for Anguillas luxury travelers.

The relaunch of Tradewind is another boost for a destination that has seen record-breaking arrival numbers so far in 2019 totals that actually surpassed the islands previous all-time-high, set in 2017 before Hurricane Irma.

And while its hotels are impressive, the ultimate way to experience Anguilla is at one of its ultra-luxe villas, from Nevaeh on Long Bay to the sleek Tequila Sunrise in Dropsey Bay.

For more, visit Tradewind Aviation.

CJ

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How to Get to Anguilla This Winter - Caribbean Journal

The World Food Programme is implementing an array of measures to face up to the regions challenges

By Simona Beltrami

As world leaders gather in Madrid for the 25th UN Climate Change Conference (COP 25), Salvadoran farmer Jos Cirilo Mendoza looks worriedly at the sky five consecutive years, prolonged dry spells and excessive rains have taken a heavy toll on subsistence farmers like him in Central Americas Dry Corridor.

From hurricanes pounding islands to drought destroying crops across Central America, and erratic rain patterns affecting the livelihoods of indigenous communities living on Andean slopes, climate-related challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean are as diverse as are the regions landscapes. Climate change is exacerbating many of these, with higher temperatures, delayed rainy seasons, rainfall irregularity, and increasingly frequent and extreme weather events.

But it is not just about problems. The Latin American and Caribbean region offers exciting opportunities to test and scale up a wide range of solutions to address climate-related issues, says Kathryn Milliken, Climate Change Advisor at the World Food Programme (WFP). With many countries having middle-income status and greater public-private capacities than in most of the places where we work, this region can be a laboratory for a new way for WFP and partners to work.

One such way is promoting the integration of climate-risk financing into governments social-protection systems. Climate-risk finance tools are critical in ensuring that when a climatic event is either forecast or triggered by reliable weather information, vulnerable people can receive rapid support to withstand or recover from the shock.

In the Caribbean, recent events including Category 5 Hurricane Dorian, which hovered over parts of Grand Bahama for two days, have shown how climate change is increasing the threats to the lives and livelihoods of poor and vulnerable people, Milliken says. Here, making national social-protection mechanisms more shock-responsive and adaptive can help get emergency assistance to large populations more quickly, reducing the impact of disasters and protecting against loss to development gains.

WFPs strategy to achieve this includes advocating with the governments of Caribbean small island states to adopt a mix of risk financing that respond to the frequency and magnitude of climate-related disasters and other risks. It also involves testing how certain risk-finance tools can be connected to national social-protection schemes so that rapid response funds can be provided to vulnerable people in the event of a disaster.

Elsewhere in the region, adaptation is the name of the game. In Ecuador, higher average temperatures, changing rain patterns, the melting of glaciers, environmental degradation and more frequent extreme weather events are putting a strain on peoples livelihoods such as in farming, cattle raising, forestry and fishing. Working with communities and authorities at the national and local level, WFP has been strengthening adaptive capacities to this changing climate. One simple measure has seen more than 19,000 people reached through a radio awareness campaign on climate change and the risks it entails. Community projects have improved peoples access to drinking and irrigation water, drought-resistant seeds and climate-smart agricultural practices. A unique addition is the training and awareness of these communities on gender issues to promote spaces of respect and equity.

On either side of the border between Ecuador and Colombia, indigenous and afro-descendant communities have been struggling with land degradation, soil erosion and changing rainfall patterns. A new project funded by the Adaptation Fund (an international fund that finances projects and programmes to help developing countries to adapt to the harmful effects of climate change) is allowing WFP and partners to combine scientific knowledge with traditional local practices to promote climate-resilient activities such as cocoa cultivation which could help them generate incomes and achieve food security.

In a region with an extremely rich ancestral heritage, indigenous knowledge can also complement modern technologies in producing dependable and timely weather forecasts, on which both adaptation and risk-insurance activities depend. This has been the case in Bolivia, where the traditional ability to read natural signs or bioindicators has been woven into the national early warning system.

When things are particularly bad, adaptation measures can be combined with assistance. As prolonged drought destroyed staple maize and bean crops in the Central American Dry Corridor which cuts across El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua leading to 1.4 people being in need of food assistance, WFP provided cash transfers to families to support them through to the next harvest.

The Dry Corridor is characterized by extreme climate variability and high economic inequality. We are also now observing migration not only increasing but turning from a seasonal phenomenon to a permanent one, Milliken explains. Through efforts to increase peoples food security and overall resilience, including with access to microinsurance products, climate information and training on how to diversify crops and livelihoods, we aim to help people adapt to their changing environment and remain on their lands.

Looking to the future, Milliken concludes: The climate emergency is here, and vulnerable people in Latin American and the Caribbean are feeling the brunt of the impacts of climate variability and change. WFP is looking to address the urgency in this region, finding solutions that will get support to these populations at the scale needed. This is a joint effort involving important partnerships with governments, the private sector, researchers and civil society. Together we hope to systematize these experiences so larger numbers of people can benefit from them, and serve as a model for other countries and regions.

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Latin America and the Caribbean: a laboratory for climate action - World - ReliefWeb

There are plenty of different getaways for you to consider this winter period, because let's face it, we all need a bit of a change at this time of the year.

Instead of going for something conventional, though, we're suggesting an idea that's a bit 'out there' in the form of a trip overseas to the luxurious Caribbean.

Wherever you are in the world, it's unlikely that it's going to be as warm as the Caribbean in the winter months.

Many of the nations and islands tend to reach the sort of heights that you'd expect to see in June and July - and that's including on Christmas day.

Some folks like bathing in the sunshine all year round, and we can't say that we blame them.

There's something so delightful about heading to a new location and feeling completely at home - all because of how welcoming the locals are. Wherever you may be in the Caribbean, we can just about guarantee that's the vibe you're going to get.

They're helpful, they're charismatic, and they're always willing to give you tips and advice on how to make the most of your time. That doesn't happen every day.

From Barbados to the Dominican Republic and beyond, there's quite literally no end to the possibilities regarding how many destinations you can visit.

With more than 700 islands and reefs to explore there's a very good chance that nobody reading this will ever get around to even half of these sweet spots.

Still, options are always a good thing for a winter break.

Body Of British Backpacker Who Had Disappeared Found In Sea Off Cambodia

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Why You Should Go On A Caribbean Vacation This Winter | TheTravel - TheTravel

With Caribbean flair in tow, the Dawsons arecoming to Dawsonville.

Derrick Dawson and his family are set to openthe first African-American owned Caribbean restaurant in Dawson County in early2020.

We are a Caribbean family out of Brooklyn,Dawson said. We moved here from New York City and we basically worked hard inthe catering business to build up the concept of having a brick and mortar. Andnow that we have it, its our mission to make sure its successful.

Dawson has been passionate about cookingJamaican cuisine since he was a young boy in his mothers kitchen, and now hispassion is taking root in Dawson County as he plans to unveil Dawson Jerk CityUSA in the former Taco Bell inside the old Kroger shopping center on Ga. 400.

We just got into the fair business aboutthree years ago and its been really a tremendous opportunity for us because wehave so many people that came around and decided that you guys needed to behere or there, said Dawson.

In fact, it was at the Cumming Fairgroundsearlier this year when the vision of Dawsons first restaurant would begin totake shape with the encouragement from Margaret Looney, a member of the RotaryClub of Dawson County, who fell in love with the familys cuisine. Sheintroduced Dawson to what would become the future site of Dawson Jerk City USA.

Derrick Dawson and his son Darius are excited to bring the first Caribbean restaurant to Dawsonville. The Dawsons plan to open their family run restaurant, Dawson Jerk City USA, early next year. - photo by Jessica Taylor

It was her blessing that brought us to thisfacility here, Dawson said.

The restaurant is located next to the Shellgas station on Ga. 400 and will feature sports memorabilia and Caribbean vibesto create a receptive atmosphere for the community.

When you walk into Jerk City USA, youregoing to walk into the Caribbean, Dawson said. We just want to make it very,very open and inviting to the community.

The menu will feature some traditionalJamaican and West Indies dishes like beef patties, curries, oxtails, seafood,and of course, jerk chicken.

Our jerk chicken is probably the best chickenyoull have across the continent, said Dawsons son, Darius.

Our jerk spice is a little sweet but a lot ofspice, Dawson added.

Jerk chicken is a combination of dry and wetrubs featuring notes of picante pepper and covered in a homemade sauce thats aDawson family secret.

Its a nice spice, a nice pepper flavor andits charred, its a grilled flavor, Dawson said. Its all a combination ofbarbecue but its a Caribbean version of barbecue.

Dawson plans to run the restaurant with hiswife Anika and children Darius, Kymani, Kristian and Taylor and hopes sonConner (9) and Parker (3) grow up in the family business.

Being part of preparing meals and helping inthe kitchen has always been a familial and cultural tradition for the Dawsons.

My mother is originally from Jamaica and atage eight I used to just be her sous chef in the kitchen which means I used toclean up behind everything. Then one day she said to me do I want to learn howto fry fish, Dawson said.

Weve been cooking forever, Darius said.Since Ive been born Ive been in the kitchen watching them cook, gettingyelled at for wanting to cook too much.

The passion for cooking turned into asuccessful catering business that has allowed the Dawsons to open their dreamrestaurant in scenic north Georgia, choosing Dawson County as their flagshiprestaurant.

Derrick Dawson begins putting up decor inside his new restaurant Dawson Jerk City USA that is located inside the old Taco Bell location in the old Kroger shopping center on Ga. 400. - photo by Jessica Taylor

We decided we wanted to start some placewhere theres nothing - not nothing meaning nothing, but no other Caribbeanbusiness so when we got the opportunity for Dawsonville we thought it was a winespecially since our last name is Dawson, Dawson said. God is good. Its justtrue testament of the hard work weve been putting in over the years. My wifeand I have been working hard on developing different menu items and differentconcepts of exciting peoples taste buds.

Dawson is gearing up to open Dawson Jerk CityUSA on Feb. 15, 2020. It will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays throughSaturdays serving a New York style breakfast and Caribbean lunch and dinner.

Were a Christian-based family and we believea day of worship is important so we take our Sunday off, Dawson said.

We want to be big, Darius said. We want totake over Georgia.

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Meet the man who's bringing Caribbean flavor to Dawson County in 2020 - Dawson Community News

Extravagance takes the spotlight during the holidays, giving back to those in need remains the true heart of the season. Many innovative Caribbean charities and non-profit organizations keep this giving spirit alive all year long. So were celebrating some of the incredible missions that find creative ways to advocate for worthy causes. We hope these stories inspire you to support, and bring light to the darkness wherever its needed in the Caribbean.

In todays technology-driven world, strength in the sciences can empower the Caribbeans next generation. Knowledge empowerment is the mission behind the Barbados-based Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF). The non-profit provides immersive Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education to teens.

The nonprofit is led by co-executive directors and husband-and-wife scientists Dr. Cardinal Warde and Dr. Dinah Sah. A Barbados native and electrical engineering professor at MIT, Dr. Warde wished to bring cutting-edge education to Caribbean students interested in tertiary-level science. My husband wanted to provide guidance and mentorship to these students at this turning point in their lives, explains Dr. Sah.

In 2012, they launched the foundations 4-week summer program SPISE (Student Program for Innovation, Science, and Engineering), exposing students to STEM fields like university-level calculus, physics, computer programming, biochemistry, and renewable energy, as well as entrepreneurship. Of the 152 graduates across the Caribbean, many now pursue sciences at prestigious American universities.

The foundation also creates low-cost programs for all ages, targeting those traditionally unable to access high-tech education. Held in Barbados and St. Lucia, their computer coding workshops are open to all adults and teens over age 15. Budding kid scientists ages 10 to 18 can also hone their math and engineering skills at their Barbados junior robotics camps.

Regarding the CSFs future, the foundation aims to provide more than just life-changing opportunities, says Dr. Sah. We hope these students eventually become the regions next generation of leaders, bringing unity among the islands.

From ska to reggae, rocksteady to dancehall, Jamaicas pulsing rhythms are familiar around the world. Little do fans know that many talents behind the music trace their roots to a religious institution founded in 1880. Based in Kingston, the Alpha Institute (previously known as Alpha Boys School) has a long history of taking in boys in need, and equipping them with tools for success.

At the Alpha Institute, we work with students, their families, and community partners to make sure the next generation become contributing members of society, and build a sustainable future, explains area administrator, Sister Susan Fraser. Run by the Religious Sisters of Mercy, the school provides students a safe and healthy environment to hone vocational skills, with courses in trades including landscaping, woodworking, and barbering.

Their most acclaimed discipline remains their music performance and sound engineering programs, with many graduates going on to win Grammys. Famous students range from Skatelites founder and trombonist Don Drummond to dancehall legend Yellowman. Music from these stars play on the schools 24/7 streaming radio station, where every single song features at least one former grad, with over one thousand songs in rotation.

Throughout its near 140-year history, the institute remains an important part of the community. Vocational training is a stepping stone to personal and national development, says Sister Frasier, we are committed to helping those who most benefit from academic and social intervention.

When crisis comes, the islands have always rallied to the cause. Thats the story of the Ranfurly Home for Children, first established in 1956 by Lady Hermoine Ranfurly in Nassau, The Bahamas, after a devastating fire left many children homeless.

Since then, the home dutifully provides vulnerable children a safe and stable environment, with opportunities for a brighter future.

The home responded to the call, once again, following Hurricane Dorians recent devastation, says Alexandria Maillis-Lynch, the homes president. They took in many orphaned and displaced children from Grand Bahama Island. When we heard that Grand Bahama had been hit so hard, we immediately reached out to social services and said, send them to us, says Maillis-Lynch. These children have come to feel that this is home.

In addition to providing a caring space to continue their academic studies, they also create a nurturing support system with professional counseling, dance and art therapy, and a gardening program where kids can connect with nature by growing produce.

Regarding the homes plans for the future, we need to get bigger, explains Maillis-Lynch, because more children should be able to receive the counseling they need, rather than being left out there because theres no space for them.

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3 Caribbean Charities Capture the True Meaning of the Holidays - Island Origins

As the end of the year is drawing near, travellers can experience even more all-inclusive, luxury resorts from AMResorts who has added two new Dreams Resorts & Spas branded properties to its growing portfolio with an additional four properties on the way in early 2020.

Debuting in two new markets, the brand opened Dreams Acapulco Resort & Spa in November, followed by Dreams Curacao Resort, Spa & Casino in mid-December. Dreams Acapulco Resort & Spa is just minutes away from the local La Isla Shopping Village and Acapulcos downtown, while Dreams Curacao Resort, Spa & Casino provides easy access to Willemstad, the capital city and UNESCO World Heritage site.

Set to open in early 2020, four new AMResorts branded properties are on the way in Mexico and the Caribbean including:

- Now Natura Riviera Cancun, a family-friendly option, features architecture and dcor inspired by ancient Mayan culture and includes a traditional Temazcal ceremony, which incorporates hot stones and herbal steam and is led by a traditional Intercessor, or healer.

- Dreams Vista Cancun, offering ocean views from all rooms and suites, is situated within a private gated community in an exclusive location adjacent to Puerto Cancun Golf and Shopping Center. This property will also feature a surf pool for stationary wave surfing alongside a splash pool for children.

- The adults-only Secrets St. Martin Resort & Spa is situated in Anse Marcel Bay on the French side of the island known for its outdoor markets and French and Indian cuisine. In addition to the luxurious and romantic setting, the property boasts the largest infinity pool in the Western Caribbean.

- Finally, Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana will be the only property located on Macao Beach, labeled one of the Caribbeans top beaches by UNESCO. In addition to the idyllic location, the resort will have a water park with slides, a lazy river, splash zone and more.

AMResorts seven distinct brands, Zotry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets, Breathless, Dreams, Now, Reflect and Sunscape Resorts & Spas, feature unique offerings for families, couples and solo travellers to enjoy. Its Unlimited-Luxury, Unlimited-Fun and Endless Privileges concepts provide luxury amenities and accommodations including gourmet reservation-free dining, top-shelf spirits, access to world-class spas and an array of daytime and nighttime activities, all without wristbands.

Reservations can be made with your preferred travel agent or directly on the resorts website. For more information, visit http://www.amresorts.com/.

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AMResorts' New Properties in Mexico and the Caribbean - TravelPulse Canada

The European Union is giving an award of Euro 4.1 million (One Euro=US$1.29 pennies) to the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to keep supporting endeavours to battle mosquito-borne maladies in the Caribbean locale.

The EU stays focused on helping the district with wellbeing security particularly when mosquito-borne ailments, for example, Zika and dengue compromise both the strength of the territorial populace and general profitability, just as the sign the travel industry area, said the EU Ambassador Daniela Tramacere.

This award will guarantee that CARPHA, together with its part states, can react successfully to the potential danger that these ailments present, she included.

CARPHA official executive, Dr Joy St John, said she is satisfied that we are actualising this significant activity which will permit CARPHA to address a large number of the components of limit constructing that the Caribbean needs, for example, lab reinforcing, preparing in incorporated vector the board, bug spray obstruction testing and conduct change intercessions.

Considering current flare-ups of dengue, this is a lift to CARPHAs help to nations as of now, she said.

The EU said that the help would be diverted through a four-year wellbeing reinforcing program intended to additionally improve the anticipation, location and control of episodes of mosquito-borne sicknesses, for example, zika and dengue.

The undertaking will include exercises to fortify vector control programs in CARPHA part states, notwithstanding the institutional limit concerning location, just as national coordination because of conceivable related irresistible flare-ups.

CARPHA is liable for planning general wellbeing arrangement and reactions to general medical problems in the CARICOM Member States and has as of late finished an active first period of a comparable EU-financed program which concentrated on the Zika flare-up, at the expense of Euro 700 000.

Excerpt from:

EU providing funds to combat mosquito borne diseases in the Caribbean - WIC News

If the holidays are stressing you out or the long winter has you a little down, theres a solution. Just grab the family friends or a significant other and head to a beautiful island paradise! You should also consider combining this getaway with a Caribbean cruise according to Senior Editor of Travelzoo, Gabe Sagile.

Gabe says that winter is a great time to travel because this is when people tend to dream of warmth. It gives us a break from the dark winter months.

The Caribbean is hard to beat because you have so many destinations to choose from, the weather is great, and you get a lot of bang for your buck. Travelzoos partner MSC Cruises is currently promoting a new island! MSC has been restoring this island and have transformed it into an eco-friendly slice of paradise.

Find out about deals and more at MSCcruises.com.

Originally posted here:

Escape the winter blues with a Caribbean cruise - KSDK.com

Caribbean

The islands of the Caribbean Sea or West Indies are an extensive archipelago in the far west of the Atlantic Ocean, mostly strung between North and South America. They've long been known as a resort vacation destination for honeymooners and retirees, but a small movement toward eco-tourism and backpacking has started to open up the Caribbean to more independent travel. With year-round good weather (with the occasional but sometimes serious exception of hurricane season in the late summer and early fall), promotional air fares from Europe and North America, and hundreds of islands to explore, the Caribbean offers something for almost everyone.

The Caribbean islands were first inhabited by the Arawak Indians, then were invaded by a more aggressive tribe, the Caribs. Unfortunately, neither could appreciate their victory forever, although the Arawaks may have had a quiet reign of nearly two millenia. Then the Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, French, Danish, and British arrived, after which the Carib population steeply declined due to various factors. The islands have known many historic battles and more than a few pirate stories.

The Caribbean islands are made up of island groups including Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles, Leeward Antilles, and the Windward Islands.

The islands in the Caribbean are also sometimes referred to as the West Indies. Christopher Columbus thought he had reached the Indies (Asia) on his voyage to find another route there. Instead he had reached the Caribbean. The Caribbean was named the West Indies to account for Columbus' mistake.

Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and the Cayman Islands, often grouped as Greater Antilles, are by far the largest countries in the area and the most visited by travellers. In the north is the Lucayan Archipelago, which includes The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Caribbean also includes the Lesser Antilles, a group of much smaller islands to the east. Further to the west and south, there are various less frequently visited islands that belong to Central and South American countries.

The Lesser Antilles can be further divided into three groups:

These countries are not part of the Greater or Lesser Antilles but are variously close to it, and are commonly associated with the Caribbean (e.g. members of CARICOM, the Caribbean Community).

Numerous companies offer cruises, charters, and boat tours in the Caribbean.

The Caribbean has a wide variety of local dishes. Think about Caribbean Lobster, prepared differently with their own local spices. Or Callaloo recipes, specialty in Trinidad & Tobago.

All of the Americas (with 16.3 killed per 100,000 population) suffer from homicide rates far above those in most of Asia (3.0), Europe (3.0) and Oceania (2.9) but some countries in the Caribbean feature in the highest murder rates in the world.

Most visitors are aware of the high rates of gun crime in the United States Virgin Islands (with 52.6) or Jamaica (39.3), but you might be unaware that even sleepy little Saint Kitts and Nevis (33.6) had a murder rate seven times greater than the scary old mainland USA in 2010!

The well policed Bahamas rang up a rate of (29.8), Trinidad and Tobago (28.3), Puerto Rico (26.5), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (with a state Latin motto of "Pax et Justitia" or "Peace and Justice" had 25.6), Dominican Republic (22.1), Saint Lucia (21.6) and Dominica (21.1).

To put this in perspective, rates in more placid countries like Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Germany, Spain and New Zealand average well under a single person intentionally killed per 100,000 of their population each year.

Those of a nervous disposition when confronted by these kind of statistics may want to start researching a holiday in Martinique (2.7) or Cuba (4.2) since it's rather uncomfortable to wear stab or bullet proof vests in these warm and humid climates of course, not to mention it make you look a bit of a prat...

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Caribbean - Wikitravel

Ah, the Caribbean can we ever really get enough? Whether youre planning a family vacation with the whole crew or a romantic getaway for two, our guide to the Caribbean will tell you where to stay, where to eat and the best things to do on your next Caribbean getaway.

But with so many Caribbean islands to choose from, its hard to know where to start. Popular Caribbean destinations like Aruba, Jamaica and the Bahamas boast perfect beaches and a plethora of things to do, but the more you research, the more youll discover the little-known gems and the off-the-beaten-path spots that keep so many people coming back year after year.

Whether youre seeking the ultimate family vacation in Turks and Caicos or you want to experience the world beneath on a diving excursion in Bonaire, weve got tons of ideas for your next Caribbean vacation.

Finding the perfect Caribbean destination is easy when there are so many great islands and cultures to visit, but thats also what makes it so difficult. Whether you venture to the Bahamas for the idyllic Caribbean vacation or head to Jamaica to experience reggae and Rastafarian culture, an adventure undoubtedly awaits. Travel to St. Lucia for epic natural vistas, or visit Puerto Rico for a vibrant, lively ambiance. Wherever you choose, you cant go wrong.

Successful vacations in the Caribbean are largely due in part to two factors: the quality of the resort and your connection with the destination island. If youre lucky, where you stay will satisfy both.

If the water is what you seek, youll find no shortage of opportunities to stay at a beachside resort or an overwater bungalow. Looking for all-inclusive deals? The Caribbean islands are teaming with them. Take that romantic getaway youve been waiting for, too, at resorts that have perfected hosting intimate vacations. No matter how or where you want to enjoy your stay, the Caribbean has a variety of options to meet your desires.

Venturing to Caribbean destinations isnt just about sinking your toes in the sands of the plethora of wondrous beaches abound or eating authentic foods undiscoverable back home. More than that, its about connecting with the natural world that is mostly preserved on these islands.

Get acquainted with our oceanic neighbors by going snorkeling in crystal-clear waters; venture through an islands adventurous pathways efficiently and cleanly by bike; or, if youre just looking to play golf in an exotic location, theres a bevy of courses with scenic backdrops. Regardless of what youre looking for on your next Caribbean getaway, your next visit to an island is sure to be something special.

So youve gone on one (or two, or three) Caribbean vacation(s) already, but that itch still hasnt been fully scratched. Fortunately, theres still a plethora of ideas you [probably] havent even heard of, making another island getaway just as unique as the first.

Venture to one of the few lesser-known Caribbean islands like Isla de Mona, Puerto Rico, or Marie-Galante, Guadeloupe that have just as much attraction as their more popular counterparts. Maybe last time you flew to your island destination; this time around, consider going on a cruise thatll supply your food and accommodations while touring through multiple stops. The Caribbean is worth being explored in more than one way.

See the article here:

Best Caribbean Islands and Vacations | Islands

If you're planning a trip to the Caribbean, it helps to know where you are going. Sure, the weather in much of the Caribbean is pretty similar, but there are some regional differences you should be aware of. Unlike most of the tropical Caribbean with its palm trees and lush foliage, for example, Aruba and Curacao are desert islands; on the other hand, their southerly position also keeps them outside of the hurricane zone. Barbados also puts you outside of hurricane territory, and in fact, hasn't seen a hurricane in about 20 years. As you can see from the map, the Bahamas and Bermuda aren't actually in the Caribbean -- but parts of the coast of Colombia and Venezuela are.

Also, flight times (and airfares) can vary widely depending on how far south you are heading, which is an important point to ponder as you budget your time and money.

If you're cruising, it's helpful to know what is meant by the Eastern Caribbean versus the Western Caribbean. Other terms you'll hear used when describing locations in the Caribbean include the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles, the Windward Islands, and the Leeward Islands.

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The World Atlas also has a useful Caribbean map, and of course, Google Maps and Google Earth are excellent resources for travelers, too. And here's a topographic map of the Caribbean and it's islands. Want to test your knowledge? Try this Caribbean geography quiz!

Check Caribbean rates and reviews atTripAdvisor.

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The Caribbean has been well-traveled for 300 years, and this historic map by Herman Molls is surprisingly complete and accurate. Geographicus, a seller of fine antique maps, explains:

"This is Herman Molls small but significant c. 1732 map of the West Indies. Moll's map covers all of the West Indies, eastern Mexico, all of Central America, the Gulf of Mexico, North America as far as the Chesapeake Bay, and the northern portion of South America, commonly called the Spanish Main. Typical of Moll's style, this map offers a wealth of information including ocean currents and some very interesting commentary.

"Additionally Moll, most likely through his acquaintance with pirates William Dampier and Woodes Rogers, offers a wealth of information on the traffic of silver bearing Spanish treasure fleets en route from the Mexican port of Veracruz, through the islands, to Spanish ports in Europe. Following the dotted line, Moll identifies the Spanish treasure fleet's entrada into the Caribbean via the passage between Grenada and Trinidad. The fleet then sailed westwards, skirting the Spanish Main until they reached Cartagena, where they rested and reprovisioned before heading northwards, rounding western Cuba and stopping in Havana.

"Using the strong Gulf Stream current -- shown here -- ships would sail northwards from Havana while being steadily forced to the southeast thus alighting at the deep-water port of Veracruz. On the return, laden with silver from the mines of San Luis Potosi, the Spanish fleet took advantage of eastward blowing trade winds, which helped to overcome the strong current on the sail to Havana. From Havana, they would travel northwards via the narrow passage between Florida and the Bahamas before cutting eastward and out to sea at St. Augustine. It was here, in this crucial passage between the English dominated Bahamas and Spanish Florida, where the most nefarious pirates and British privateers lay in wait for their profitable prey."

With such a long history and such an important role in international trade, it's no surprise that the Caribbean islands have long been a point of interest for world travelers and map-makers alike. On your next Caribbean trip, consider researching your island destination and learn more about its part in the early days of ocean and sea travel, and what unique part it has had to play in the developing of the island culture, community, economy, and tourism industry. You just might be surprised!

See the rest here:

Comprehensive Map of the Caribbean Sea and Islands

TORONTO , Dec. 12, 2019 /CNW/ - Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE) today announced it has entered into definitive agreements to sell all banking operations in the Eastern Caribbean to a consortium of indigenous banks within the region. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions, and is expected to be finalized in the coming months.

RBC (CNW Group/RBC Royal Bank)

"Consistent with our strategy of being a competitive leader in the markets where we operate, RBC is always evaluating opportunities for our business. Earlier this year, we were approached by a consortium of indigenous banks with their proposal to acquire all RBC Eastern Caribbean operations," said Rob Johnston , Head, RBC Caribbean Banking. "After a review of our operations and strategy, we determined this opportunity was a good decision for the long-term future success of RBC Caribbean, and also, that it aligned with our vision to help our clients thrive and communities prosper," he said.

The sale encompasses the branches of Royal Bank of Canada in Antigua , Dominica , Montserrat , St. Lucia , and St. Kitts and Nevis , as well as regional businesses operating under RBC Royal Bank Holdings (EC) Limited in Nevis , Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines . Collectively, these operations are referred to as "RBC Eastern Caribbean". The consortium of five financial entities purchasing includes: 1st National Bank of St. Lucia , Antigua Commercial Bank Ltd., National Bank of Dominica Ltd., the Bank of Montserrat and Bank of Nevis Ltd.

Johnathan Johannes , Managing Director, 1st National Bank of St. Lucia , shared, "We formed the consortium for the express purpose of expanding the scale of the locally owned financial entities in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union. This transaction gives us the size and scale to play a more active role in the development of our respective countries. We see this transaction as the first step in achieving even greater synergies, efficiencies and cross-territory marketing opportunities."

"RBC has operated in the Caribbean for more 100 years longer than we have been in many parts of Canada . We remain committed to the future of the Caribbean and to a vision of digital innovation that transcends traditional services," said Johnson. "This transaction will allow us to realign and focus our strategy on Caribbean markets where we can achieve that vision most successfully."

"Self-determination is the highest level of empowerment and the indigenous banks acquiring this business will now have an increased opportunity to influence the development of their communities," said Johnston.

Johannes added, "And speaking on behalf of the local banks, we embrace and eagerly anticipate that opportunity."

The consortium was advised by PwC (JA), led by Wilfred Baghaloo , who added "this transaction demonstrates that Caribbean countries and businesses have the capacity and capability to come together when the circumstances are right."

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. RBC will release its first quarter 2020 results and host an earnings conference call onFebruary 21, 2020.

ABOUT RBC IN THE CARIBBEAN With more than 100 years of dedicated service to the region, RBC has maintained a presence in 17 countries, with 52 branches and over 3,200 employees serving more than one million clients. As one of the Caribbean's leading diversified financial services companies, RBC provides personal and commercial banking, wealth management, corporate and investment banking, insurance and trust and asset management services to a wide range of clients, including individuals, small businesses, general commercial entities, regional and multi-national corporations and governments. For more information, please visit rbc.com/caribbean.

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About RBCRoyal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 85,000+ employees who bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada's biggest bank, and one of the largest in the world based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to 17 million clients in Canada , the U.S. and 34 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.

We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/community-social-impact.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

From time to time, we make written or oral forward-looking statements within the meaning of certain securities laws, including the "safe harbour" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and any applicable Canadian securities legislation. We may make forward-looking statements in this press release, in other filings with Canadian regulators or the SEC, in other reports to shareholders, and in other communications. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is presented for the purpose of assisting the holders of our securities and financial analysts in understanding our financial position and results of operations, as well as our financial performance objectives, vision and strategic goals, and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "believe", "expect", "foresee", "forecast", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "goal", "plan" and "project" and similar expressions of future or conditional verbs such as "will", "may", "should", "could" or "would".

By their very nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, which give rise to the possibility that our predictions, forecasts, projections, expectations or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that our assumptions may not be correct and that our financial performance objectives, vision and strategic goals will not be achieved. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements as a number of risk factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. These factors many of which are beyond our control and the effects of which can be difficult to predict include: credit, market, liquidity and funding, insurance, operational, regulatory compliance, strategic, reputation, legal and regulatory environment, competitive and systemic risks and other risks discussed in the risk sections of our annual report for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 (the 2019 Annual Report); including information technology and cyber risk, privacy, data and third party related risk, geopolitical uncertainty, Canadian housing and household indebtedness, regulatory changes, digital disruption and innovation, climate change, the business and economic conditions in the geographic regions in which we operate, the effects of changes in government fiscal, monetary and other policies, tax risk and transparency, and environmental and social risk.

We caution that the foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive and other factors could also adversely affect our results. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to us, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Material economic assumptions underlying the forward looking-statements contained in this press release are set out in the Economic, market and regulatory review and outlook section and for each business segment under the Strategic priorities and Outlook headings in our 2019 Annual Report.

Except as required by law, we do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf. Additional information about these and other factors can be found in the risk sections of our 2019 Annual Report.

SOURCE RBC Royal Bank

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/December2019/12/c5666.html

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RBC announces sale of Eastern Caribbean banking operations - Yahoo Finance

All cemeteries have stories to tell, and the one on Mucurapo Road in Port of Spain, Trinidad, is no exception. Among the names carved on headstones are Irene and Oscar Huth, Erna Marx, Karl Falkenstein, Willi Schwarz and Otto Gumprich. Hebrew inscriptions are adorned with a Star of David.

Five years ago, Hans Stecher joined his mother, father and aunt in the Jewish section of Mucurapo cemetery. Aged 90 when he died, he was the last of about 600 Jewish refugees from Nazi Europe who ended up in Trinidad as they sought sanctuary from persecution and violence.

Stecher arrived on the island as a 14-year-old in 1938. For him it was an adventure and a dream come true, according to his memoir; but for his parents, everything was strange and somewhat frightening. The boy went on to enjoy a happy and prosperous life on the island. In reporting his death, the Trinidad Guardian described him as a giant of a man.

Several thousand Jewish refugees went by boat to Caribbean islands, including Barbados and Jamaica, in the run-up to and during the second world war. Their almost-forgotten story has now been told in a new book. Most wanted to reach the US or Canada, but could not get entry visas. In their panic to escape the march of fascism, they were forced to take what they could get. It was a last-chance destination. The majority who ended up in the Caribbean lost members of their families who stayed in the Holocaust, said Joanna Newman, author of Nearly the New World: The British West Indies and the Flight from Nazism 1933-1945.

At the 1938 Evian conference, 32 countries discussed the growing refugee crisis, but few opened their doors. As refugees crammed on to ships leaving European ports with no clear destination, Jewish organisations engaged in frantic negotiations to find places willing to take refugees. Some boats went from port to port, said Newman.

British colonies in the Caribbean, such as Trinidad, had no visa requirements, merely charging a landing deposit. The Jews, many of whom had professional qualifications, arrived penniless but willing to adapt to a new life, helped by modest grants from refugee agencies to start new businesses. According to the Trinidad Guardian: One of the physicians, a lady doctor, is now a midwife, another turned chemist, and a third one is a foreman in a local factory. A famous master-builder of Vienna is now looking for any kind of work. His wife makes a living by tailoring. A lawyer has become a canvasser, another a floor-walker, while a third is going to open a jewellers store.

In Port of Spain, Trinidads capital, the refugees founded a synagogue in a rented house. They opened cafes and started drama and football clubs. The local authorities allotted them a section of the Mucurapo cemetery. Although many intended the Caribbean to be a temporary stopover, they began putting down roots, said Newman.

The response of local people was mixed, she said. There was grumbling about overcrowding and competition, and disquiet about Jewish businesses and peddlers undercutting the locals. But newspapers carried reports of atrocities and persecution in Europe, so people were aware of their plight. Some saw an echo of their own history of slavery in the persecution of Jews.

Calypsos were a rich reflection of public opinion. One by Charlie Gorrilla Grant began: Tell me what you think of a dictator / Trampling the Jews like Adolf Hitler / Tumbling them out of Germany / Some running for refuge in the West Indies.

It was a last-chance destination. The majority who ended up in the Caribbean lost family members in the Holocaust.

King Radios The Jews Immigration was less sympathetic, describing Trinidad as a dumping ground. The place is so congested friends I must say / Yet the Foreigners are pouring in every day.

With the outbreak of war in 1939, Caribbean authorities followed the British move to intern enemy aliens, establishing camps and closing down Jewish businesses. According to Stechers memoir, those interned could not help but feel bitterness and resentment at being deprived of their newly-found freedom and, having just sent out new roots, being so abruptly and rudely uprooted once more.

After the war, most Jews in the Caribbean moved on to the US, Canada or Palestine (the state of Israel was declared in 1948), but a handful stayed and assimilated, said Newman. If you look in the phone book in Trinidad, you will find Jewish names. But theres little in the way of a Jewish community now.

The Mucurapo cemetery, with about 60 Jewish graves, was a poignant reminder of this neglected chapter of history, she said. When she last visited several years ago, it was not in a great state of repair Im concerned about who has custody of these graves.

After stumbling across references to the Jewish flight to the Caribbean, Newman spent two decades scouring archives and gathering testimonies and memoirs for her book. I come from a refugee family on my fathers side, so I grew up with stories of the persecution that my grandparents faced, she said.

Read more from the original source:

Revealed: how the Caribbean became a haven for Jews fleeing Nazi tyranny - The Guardian

When the International Monetary Fund projected recently that Guyanas economy could jump by 86 percent in 2020, it credited recent oil and gas discoveries. But a different buzz is exciting two of the South American nations premier industries, agribusiness and tourism. Theyre looking to marry their sectors to offer a new attraction to visitors: bees.

Guyana is not alone. For decades, the Caribbean has counted on its pristine beaches and Guyana on its lush rainforests to draw millions of visitors. Now, the regions countries are increasingly looking to broaden their draw with bee tourism also known as apitourism at a time the populations of more than 700 North American bee varieties are on the decline, according to the Center for Biological Diversity.

Trinidad and Tobago is hosting a bee safari in early 2020, publicizing the event as a way to beat the winter blues while gaining insights into tropical beekeeping. In St. Lucia, the Washington-based Global Environment Facility a partnership of 183 nations and civil society organizations is backing local beekeepers who are offering four-day bee safaris and one-day bee farm tours.

Starting in 2020, Eden Farm Tours in Grenada will offer apitherapy spa packages. The company is also trying to launch the Caribbeans first medical-grade honey. The Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility a collaboration of regional private sector firms and the Caribbean Tourism Organization recently announced grants of up to $400,000 for innovative new agritourism initiatives, including in bee tourism.

It is only natural to see how we can use agriculture as a base for providing satisfactory tourism experiences.

Donald Sinclair, director general, Guyanas Department of Tourism

Guyana plans on offering three- to five-day safari tours for tourists to sample the countrys varieties of honey while observing domestic hives. This support from governments and regional and global organizations points to the growing confidence that bee tourism could add to the regions estimated $56 billion annual tourism revenue, and capture a slice of the global apiculture industry thats estimated to touch $10 billion by 2023.

Guyana has vast agricultural resources and is a strong emerging tourism destination, says Donald Sinclair, director general of Guyanas Department of Tourism. So it is only natural to see how we can use agriculture as a base for providing satisfactory tourism experiences.

The Guyana Apiculture Society plans to take visitors to apiaries near the majestic Demerara and Essequibo rivers, says the bodys vice president, Linden Stewart. Tourists will see bees pollinating blossoms, then visit a honey house to observe the extraction, filtration and bottling of honey with an opportunity for sampling.

For the regions beekeepers, tapping into tourism makes sense. When you are in a Caribbean island if you are not in tourism, you are not in business, says Richard Matthias, president of the Iyanola Apiculture Collective in St. Lucia.

For tourists, the Caribbean promises opportunities impossible to find in North America, say experts. Caribbean bees have a very different diet, says Gladstone Solomon, former president of the Association of Caribbean Beekeepers Organizations. In North America, bees often have to settle for acres of almonds or other monoculture crops. In the Caribbean, bees forage on a range of nectar sources, from forest trees to shrubs to commercial plants. As a consequence, the honey produced in the Caribbean varies throughout the year, depending on the plants flowering at the time, explains Matthias. At some times of the year some flowers may be predominant; at other times there is a mixture of nice floral bouquets, he says. At the end of the year other trees come into flower and the honey tastes like licorice.

When Solomon, 70, started bee safaris in Tobago nearly two decades ago, he was a pioneer. Now, increasing numbers of regional players are entering the market. His 11-day safaris target bee enthusiasts and also expose them to local cuisine and a steel band rehearsal in Trinidad. Its not a niche that would be attractive to everyone, he admits, but it works in an era where increasing numbers of persons are looking for unique experiences.

For now, Slovenia is the world leader in bee tourism with resorts and marketing dedicated to the sector. Matthias acknowledges the Caribbean has some catching up to do, but adds that it has advantages. For one, theres its unrivaled natural beauty. Tourists on the St. Lucia bee safaris visit the islands famous Pitons mountainous volcanic plugs mangroves and virgin forest. And Caribbean bee tourism has started receiving significant financial support. The Global Environment Facility has awarded Matthias collective a $50,000 grant to establish a tour service targeting the 600,000 cruise ship visitors who come to St. Lucia each year.

Recent research by University of Arkansas scientists also suggests that bees that feast on monoculture crops are nutritionally deprived. That means the healthier Caribbean bees might be the future of bee tourism in the Americas.

To be sure, beekeeping in the Caribbean comes with its own challenges pesticides, beehive theft and inadequate pasture for hosting apiaries are some key ones, says Hayden Sinanan, inspector of apiaries in Trinidad and Tobagos Ministry of Agriculture. Both Solomon, who runs six apiaries in Trinidad and Tobago, and Ravi Rajkumar, a third-generation beekeeper in Guyana, cite the lack of pasture area as a major concern. The Trinidadian government has promised more land but has yet to deliver, says Solomon, who holds a bachelors degree in tourism management and a masters in agriculture and rural development. Adding to expenses, says Matthias, is that most equipment needed to run apiaries has to be imported.

But where there is a will, there is a way. Once decision-makers understand the importance of bees to the environment, theyll do more to support apitourism, says Sinanan. If there is something wrong in the natural environment it will be seen first in a bee colony, he says. They are the canary in the coal mine.

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Can Bees Add a Fresh Buzz to the Caribbean's $56 Billion Tourism Market? - OZY

The tricky politics of world historiography is what it is because of the concern todays world shares for identity and natural rights. An example of this challenge is the care needed in recounting the history of Jews.

For one of the most persecuted groups of people in recorded history, it is not out of place to say a significant amount of Jewish history is the people looking for a home.

This treacherous quest took Jews all over the world. But one of the most unlikely destinations European Jews would settle at was the Caribbean islands.

Although discrimination against Jews was well sewn into European life by the 6th century, the Spanish edict known as the Alhambra Decree of 1492 is a solid place to contextualize the history of state-backed ostracism.

The infamous decree expelled Jews from the kingdoms of Aragon and Castile. But even before Alhambra, persecution had forced over half of Spains Jews to convert to Catholicism before the 15th century.

All across Europe, a similar situation persisted.

As arts photographer and historian Wyatt Gallery referred to the situation: From the 1500s until the 1700s. Jews couldnt enter anywhere; no one wanted us.

With the expansion of European naval expeditions came the opportunity for Jews to leave the continent. It was the time the so-called New World presented itself.

By the mid-17th century, the biggest Jewish populations in the western hemisphere were in the Portuguese colony of Brazil and the Dutch-controlled territory of Suriname.

The Caribbean also hosted thousands of Jewish people during this period, with a majority of them settling in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Barbados.

These would become their new homes with Sephardic Jews importing into the cultures of the islands, the uniqueness of Judaism.

But this would not be the only flight of Jews to find safety in the Caribbean. At the beginning of the 20th century and German Nazism, Jews once again had to leave Europe.

This time, they travelled by boats, ships and a few did too, by planes. The scourge of antisemitism knew no bounds and fear drove Jews farther and farther from Europe.

In the early 1930s especially, they settled in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados.

A few of the new Jewish homes had no visa requirements and that made things easy. While some went to the Caribbean as qualified professionals with a hunger to make themselves useful, others were penniless, just scraping through.

Initially, the islanders were not enthused about their new guests. But it is known that newspapers of the day carried news about the war in Europe and this softened the hearts of Jamaicans, Trinidadians and others.

In the history of the Caribbean, Sephardic Jews would be the other group of people who were forced to find settlement apart from enslaved Africans, although the latters was under much severer condition.

Today, there are hundreds of thousands of self-professing Jews on the islands. They are a happier people with the horrors of yesteryears far behind them.

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When the Caribbean Islands became home to hundreds of thousands of Jews escaping persecution - Face2Face Africa

SOCA transformed the Newman Vertical Campus Multipurpose Room into a winter-themed gala with many different decorations, including a stage centered in the room, where many of the performances took place.

Its really good. The performances were great, the music is good. Its good, everything is great, said Garfield Hylton, a Baruch alumnus who earned a degree in biological sciences.

Many of the performances brought awareness to Caribbean culture. Hip-hop and rhythm and blues artist Genique, for example, arrived at Baruch with the intention of making Baruch students feel welcome to the culture.

I definitely think Baruch would, like, value the diversity Im bringing with, like, the Caribbean culture, so Im Jamaican. Theres a lot of Jamaican students here, or just students from the Caribbean, she said. Rap music is a part of the culture, R&B is a part of the culture. Im just happy to be bringing all of that to Baruch.

At the gala, dinner was served, which included chicken and pasta. The process of setting up the event was explained by Albaceer Casimir, a junior at Baruch studying biology.

Weve been talking about setting this event for like a month now, this is really the biggest event of the semester. What we did was, like, we would meet to talk about the theme we wanted and put that into effect, Casimir said. The following week, we discussed what exactly we want to bring to the event in terms of decorations and drinks. We just talked for a couple weeks and figured out where to get the decorations and who is in charge of the drinks.

SOCA President Ryan Shivcharran explained the message SOCA tried to send with their event.

We just want people to get more aware [of] the Caribbean, Shivcharran said. We have a bunch of Caribbean performers tonight. We just want to express that.

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Dec 12 Spices of the Winter Gala celebrates Caribbean culture - The Ticker

A special exhibition highlighting the artistic achievements of early Caribbean civilizations will go on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art beginning December 16.

Showcasing more than 40 works drawn primarily from The Met collection and augmented by select loans from public and private collections in the United States, Arte del mar: Artistic Exchange in the Caribbean will present a narrative of creativity from the ancestral cultures that encircled the Caribbean Sea in the millennia before European colonization.

Early Caribbean civilizations developed a rich cultural legacy that was fueled by the interplay of ideas and influences across the region, said Max Hollein, Director of The Met. This exhibition celebrates the artistic traditions of these ancestral communities while honoring the enduring power of the objects.

The exhibition will be the first to focus on the artistic exchange that took place among the Tano civilizations of the Greater Antilles (present-day Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico) and the coastal societies in countries such as Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, and Honduras before the 16th century.

Highlights will include rarely seen sculptures created in ancient Puerto Rico.

Organized into three primary sections focused on ritual knowledge, ceremonial performance, and political power, Arte del mar (art of/from the sea) will highlight the sculptural achievements of the island societies known today as the Tanos.

Featured works on view include four rare wooden sculptures, such as the 10th- to 11th-century Deity Figure (Zem) from The Met collection, a piece that intertwines spirituality, ceremony, and politics.

Another spectacular wooden figure from the 14th century, on loan from the Saint Louis Art Museum, illustrates how special trees inspired sculptors to reveal specific deity or ancestor forms in collaboration with leaders and ritual specialists.

A group of three-pointed stones (trigonolitos), on loan from the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, highlights the range of materials and imagery used by Taino sculptors to create spiritually charged ritual objects.

Alongside works of art created by their better-known Tano peers, the exhibition will present objects created by the artists of the Tairona in northern Colombia, the diverse kingdoms in the Isthmus of Panama and Costa Rica, and the networks of sculptor communities in the Ula Valley, Honduras.

Objects created from luxury materials including greenstone, shell, gold, and marble will underscore the range of trade connections between Caribbean peoples.

In a fourth section, the exhibition will explore the ancestral legacies into the 20th century and today by incorporating Rumblings of the Earth (Rumor de la tierra),1950, by painter Wifredo Lam (Cuban, 19021982), on loan from the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.

In conjunction with the exhibition, the Museum will offer a variety of educational programs in 2020, including an Artists on Artworks event, a lecture, Conversations With a Curator (bilingual in English and Spanish), Teen Career Lab, and a Family Afternoon.

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At the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a Look at the Ancient Caribbean - Caribbean Journal