This is the Caribbean - Al Hornsby

Reputed to be the single most popular tourist destination in the world, the islands of the Caribbean Basin are scattered across a warm, azure sea between Florida, Central America and South America. This book takes the reader on a journey, from the coral islands of the Bahamas in the north and the magical mist-covered mountains of Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola and Puerto Rico in the centre to the arc of the Leeward Islands and Windward Islands in the east and the Central American littoral of Honduras, Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula in the west.;A turbulent history of colonization imbued the region with a rich cultural heritage, derived from Spanish, Dutch, French and English influences, and incorporating African and Indian traditions. Music and dance is inextricably entwined in the lives of the islands' peoples, who have produced such popular musical styles as reggae, guajira, son and calypso. Photographs, accompanied by an informative text, portray this celebration of life - from steel bands and the gaudy masks of carnivals to the rich tropical hues of painted island homes.