33 Fa-Sea-Nating Facts About The Caribbean Sea

The Caribbean Sea is a part of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Caribbean Sea is one of the most shallow seas in the world. While millions of tourists find their way to the Caribbean islands on a yearly basis, not many know about the characteristics of this actual sea or the lesser-known islands to visit.

The Caribbean Sea is home to not only beautiful palm trees and beaches, but also to a vast array of animals and fish. With the Atlantic Ocean entering from beside the Virgin Islands, the Caribbean Sea has many fascinating tourist activities to offer. However, it is also important to know of the threats that human activities are causing to these areas.

Since the Caribbean islands have become a very famous tourist attraction, it must also be kept in mind that most tourists hardly take notice of the damage that the islands and the fauna around them are experiencing due to an increase in tourism. One of the most evident and threatening damages that is occurring around the Caribbean Sea is the depletion of the coral reefs. This threatens marine life and increases the threat of extinction.

While planning a trip, you must also be aware of Atlantic hurricanes and the time of the year when you must be most wary about them. Keep reading for more facts about the Caribbean Sea!

Facts About The Caribbean Sea

The Caribbean Sea is famous for more than just Disney movies. This tropical sea of the Western Hemisphere is home to many marine animals such as sea turtles and is also the hub of tourist activities. It is a part of the Atlantic Ocean and lays southeast of the Gulf of Mexico. Due to coral reefs in the Caribbean Sea, the Caribbean coastline attracts many tourists for activities such as diving. It is also home to many gulfs and bays, and also has a couple of trenches. Here are some facts about the Caribbean Sea and its marine environment that you may not have heard before.

• The Caribbean Sea has numerous islands, most of which attract many tourists from all around the world.
• The tropical climate and the many fascinating tourist activities provided in the Caribbean waters are good for the economy.
• The Caribbean Sea is also a place where many underwater earthquakes take place.
• These earthquakes originate from places such as the Hispaniola trench and Puerto Rico trench.
• Underwater earthquakes also threaten to destroy the Caribbean nations and islands.
• The Caribbean islands are situated on the Caribbean plate.
• The coral colonies of the Caribbean islands are threatened by the increasing temperature of the tropical waters.
• When the water temperature rises over a certain degree, the plants that the coral feeds on are killed.
• This results in the bleaching of corals, posing a threat to the marine ecosystem and the many animals that depend on coral.
• The Caribbean islands and nations have taken up many measures for the conservation of the coral reefs and the diverse habitats of marine animals.
• The Caribbean Sea is named after the 'Carib' people.
• The Caribs are a dominant Native American tribe based in the Lesser Antilles.
• Tropical storms are common in the northern Caribbean Sea.
• After the discovery of the West Indies, the Caribbean Sea quickly became a trade route.
• The Caribbean Sea and much of the knowledge that we have of it is based on the many pirate tales that have been around for years!
• The countries that surround the Caribbean Sea include Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, the United States, Guatemala, and Haiti.
• The Atlantic Ocean makes an entry into the Caribbean islands through a passage between the Lesser Antilles and the Virgin Islands, and through the windward passage located between Haiti and Cuba.
• The Caribbean is a rather shallow sea.
• Cruise ships from Puerto Rico often dock here so that tourists can visit the Caribbean islands.
• Caribbean weather is mostly stable and tropical throughout the year.
• Tropical storms can be expected between June and December.
• The Caribbean Sea's deepest part is the Cayman trough.
• The Cayman trough is around 25,216.54 ft (7686 m) below sea level.
• The Caribbean Sea can be divided into regions such as the Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Lesser Antilles, and the Greater Antilles.

What marine life lives in the Caribbean Sea?

The Caribbean region is home to many species of animals given the favorable conditions found on land and at sea. The Caribbean coral reefs also play a huge role in the maintenance of such species. Some facts about the animals found in the Caribbean Sea lie ahead for you!

• There are over 1000 species of fish in the Caribbean Sea.
• These fish include many species of sharks such as bull sharks, tiger sharks, silky sharks, and Caribbean reef sharks.
• Other fish species found in the Caribbean region include the spotfin butterflyfish, oceanic manta ray, angelfish, parrotfish, moray eels, and tarpon.
• Marine life around the Caribbean islands also acts as a supply for fish and other marine animals for the surrounding areas such as Central America.
• There are huge populations of sardines and lobsters in this area.
• The fishing industry is booming in places near the Caribbean Sea because of the ease with which marine animals can be caught.
• Large mammals such as dolphins, humpback whales, and sperm whales are also found in the regions surrounding the Caribbean.
• Solenodons and hutias are only found in the Caribbean islands.
• There are several endangered species of animals and fish around the Caribbean islands.
• Such animals are threatened by global warming and human activities.
• In addition to this, the Caribbean islands are also home to over 600 species of reptiles.
• Around 94% of these reptiles are endemic to the Caribbean islands and are not found anywhere else in the world.
• The blue iguana is endemic to the Grand Cayman islands.
• Many species of sea turtle can also be found around the Caribbean islands.
• Such sea turtle species include the loggerhead sea turtle, hawksbill sea turtle, green sea turtle, leatherback turtle, Atlantic ridley, and olive ridley.
• Some of these sea turtle species are endangered.
• Conservation efforts are undertaken by governments and independent organizations to make people aware of these endangered species and ways of saving their lives in case of any sightings.
• There are around 170 species of amphibians around the Caribbean islands.
• Most of these species are endemic to the area.
• Not only this, but the Caribbean islands are also home to around 600 species of birds, a large chunk of which are endemic to the land.

The Caribbean Sea's Ecosystem

The Caribbean Sea and the Caribbean islands are much more than just palm trees and the beautiful climate.

• The Caribbean is located in the eastern part of Central America, to the southeast of the Gulf of Mexico and the north of South America.
• The most important part of the Caribbean ecosystem is the coral reefs.
• The Caribbean coral reefs run along the coastlines of places such as the Dominican Republic and are very important for the economy of these islands.
• These coral reefs are important for the maintenance of marine life and are an essential element in tourist activities such as diving and fishing.
• There are many conservation efforts that are underway in order to make sure that the coral reefs of the Caribbean Sea are guarded against further damage.
• One of the greatest threats to this ecosystem is global warming.
• With the increasing temperature of the Caribbean waters, the coral reefs have less and less to feed on and are therefore getting bleached.
• Another factor that threatens the ecosystem is the pollution of the Caribbean waters by waste from South America and Central America.