Caribbean Sea

Geography

The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean, located in the tropics of the western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, to the east by the Lesser Antilles, and to the south by South America. It covers an area of approximately 2,754,000 km² (1,063,000 square miles). The Caribbean Sea is one of the largest seas and has an area of about 2,754,000 km² (1,063,000 square miles).

Aerial view of the Caribbean Sea with its clear blue waters and scattered islands.

Hydrology

The Caribbean Sea's basin also includes a number of significant bodies of water. Among these are the Gulf of Mexico, the Yucatán Channel, the Cayman Trench, and the Florida Straits. The Caribbean Sea has the world's second biggest barrier reef, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. It runs 1,000 km (620 mi) along the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras.

Climate

The climate of the Caribbean Sea is tropical, influenced by the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which brings warm water from the equator up to the Caribbean. This helps to keep the sea temperatures stable at around 24–27 °C (75–81 °F) year-round. The Caribbean is known for its clear, warm waters and is often considered a diver's paradise.

Marine life

The Caribbean Sea is home to a diverse array of marine life, including numerous species of fish, turtles, manatees, and dolphins. The sea's coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and mangroves provide habitats for many other species. The sea also supports a number of endangered species, such as the West Indian manatee, the green turtle, and the hawksbill turtle. The Caribbean's diverse fish population includes large species such as marlin, sailfish, and tuna, as well as smaller species like grouper, snapper, and parrotfish.

Economy

The economy of the Caribbean Sea region relies heavily on tourism, which is driven by the area's natural beauty, warm climate, and abundant marine life. Other major economic activities include fishing and shipping. The region also produces goods such as sugar, rum, coffee, and tropical fruits for export.

Environmental issues

The Caribbean Sea faces a number of environmental challenges, including overfishing, coral reef degradation, and the introduction of invasive species. Climate change also poses a significant threat, as it is expected to lead to warmer sea temperatures, more intense hurricanes, and sea level rise.