HOW MANY NATIONS ARE IN THE CARIBBEAN, AND WHICH IS THE BIGGEST?
The answer to this question depends on how the term ‘nation’ is defined. Some Caribbean islands are independent countries – the largest being Cuba at 42,803 square miles and the smallest being Saint Kitts and Nevis, which is 104 square miles. Other communities are answerable to another country, including British Overseas Territories and Aruba, which is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Also, several Latin and South American countries have Caribbean coastlines, including Venezuela and Mexico. The Association of Caribbean States includes some but not all places in these categories among its 35 contracting states, countries and territories.