With its eclectic mix of colour, people, cuisine and music, the Caribbean is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Aside from being a spectacular holiday destination, it’s known for many things including being the home to a myriad of famous athletes, the playground of Captain Jack Sparrow, and one of best places to invest in a Citizenship by Investment.
But if you love a good fact (and who doesn’t?!), then get ready to have your mind blown by some lesser-known secrets of the Caribbean.
The Caribbean is Home to the Shortest Commercial Runway in The World
Saba, a tiny five square mile island located in the north-eastern Caribbean, is home to the Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport. Here you’ll find a record-breaking 400-metre-long runway that has also topped a global travel poll of the world’s most scenic airport landing
The Region Only Has Two Seasons
Unlike most regions in the world that have four annual seasons, the Caribbean has only two. There is the dry season that runs from about February to June, offering gorgeous sunny weather, and a wet season from July to January that brings with it the occasional tropical rain shower. The wet season also has a built-in hurricane season from June to November.
Cuba is the Biggest Island in the Caribbean
As the largest island in the Caribbean by size, it’s no surprise that it is also the most populated, there are just over 11 million vibrant locals here.
The Caribbean has the Largest Natural Deposit of Asphalt in the World
Trinidad’s Pitch Lake offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the world’s largest natural deposit of asphalt in the world. Only three natural asphalt lakes exist in total, the other two being the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles and Lake Guanoco in Venezuela.
There Are 22 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The Caribbean has 22 awe-inspiring heritage sites! These include 17th-century Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park in St Kitts, along with mesmerising natural of the Morne Trois Pitons National Park in Dominica.
Pigs Here Like the Caribbean as Much as We Do
Located on the uninhabited island of Exuma (a district of the Bahamas), these swimming babes are known for being incorrigible beach bums.
The Caribbean has 19 Active Volcanoes
Volcanos helped shape most of the islands within the Caribbean, and it looks like they’re not quite done with their landscaping. There are 19 ‘live’ (likely to erupt again) volcanoes in the Eastern Caribbean!
One of The Hottest Peppers in The World is Found in Trinidad and Tobago
The Trinidad Moruga Scorpion Chilli Pepper clocks in at at 1.2 million Scoville heat units on the Scoville Scale (jalapeños register at about 5,000 units). It held the title of the hottest pepper in the world until 2013 when it was dethroned by the Carolina Reaper that recorded 2.2 million Scoville heat units.
Cuba has the Most Brands of Rum Than Any Other Caribbean Nation
Cuba produces 11 different brands of rum which is the tipple of choice in the Caribbean. However, they all belong to one entity: the Cuban government.
It is a Much-Loved Filming Destination
Scenes from “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” were filmed in Dominica, which was depicted as “Cannibal Island.”
Dominoes Dominates
The local people love to play dominos, and they play their own way. The most important requirement is a sturdy table because part of the appeal is to slam the pieces down, which also means you can hear a game being played from quite a distance
There Are More Than 7,000 Islands in the Caribbean
Out of the 7,000 islands, consisting of 1.063 million square miles and 13 countries, you would expect the Caribbean to be more compact or at least have less rogue islands, only 100 (or so) are inhabited. Island jumping has a different meaning here.
Reggae Mon
The word reggae comes from “rege-rege,” a Jamaican phrase meaning “rags or ragged clothing,” a style of music we have all come to know and love.
Feature Image Credit: Travelandliesure.com
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