Regulation and Planning in the Sea Basins – The Caribbean Basin

Abstract

Located in the American continent, the Caribbean Sea is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean (Figure 13.1). Its geographical boundaries are: (i) the islands of the West Indies to the N and E; (ii) South America to the S; and (iii) the Central American Isthmus to the W. Extending between 9–22°N and 61–88°W, it is considered one of the largest seas in the world. It connects to the Gulf of Mexico through the Yucatan channel, to the Pacific through the Panama canal and to the Atlantic by multiple straits. It is divided into two main sub-regions: (i) the continental Caribbean, formed by the countries from North, Central and South America bordering its waters; and (ii) the insular Caribbean, formed by the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Hispaniola – containing Haiti and Dominican Republic-, Jamaica and Puerto Rico) and the Lesser Antilles (Islands between the southeast of Puerto Rico and the north coast of Venezuela). The economy of many of these countries is based principally in the exploitation of their natural resources, the tourism and fisheries sectors are critical activities for the economic development of the area. Figure 13.1 Caribbean Sea Basin. [OCT = EU Overseas Countries and Territories] [OR = Outermost Region]. https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781003337430/3e8bb51e-2cde-4d3b-8f54-d9f08e1850a3/content/fig13_1.tif" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/>