In many ways, the Caribbean is a historian’s and traveler’s dream. The glittering blue and turquoise waters and the shining white beaches invite you to come and discover the vibrant cultures that span the history of the world.
Beginning in the north with the Bahamas and stretching down to the South with Trinidad and Tobago, there are over 7,000 individual islands and cays in this beautiful region.
Each of the 7,000+ islands has its own local population, unique language, and traditions.
Although the Caribbean is a world renowned tourist destination, people are often unsure of how many countries are located in this archipelago.
Some even mistakenly believe that the Caribbean is all one country. In fact, there are a total of 13 individual countries located in the Caribbean.
Each of these countries are independent with their own capital and culture. This guide has all the information you need regarding how many countries are in the Caribbean, their capitals, and any other interesting information.
What Are the 13 Countries of the Caribbean?
The countries of the Caribbean, that are all independent and full members of the United Nations, are all located throughout the Caribbean sea and even extend to small sections of the Atlantic Ocean.
There are some countries that are independent and occupy entire islands, while there are other countries that share islands.
The 13 independent countries of the Caribbean, in alphabetical order, are:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Grenada
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
Caribbean Countries and Their Capitals
Here is the complete list of the 13 sovereign countries in the Caribbean alongside their capital cities:
| Country | Capital |
| Antigua and Barbuda | St. John’s |
| The Bahamas | Nassau |
| Barbados | Bridgetown |
| Cuba | Havana |
| Dominica | Roseau |
| Dominican Republic | Santo Domingo |
| Grenada | St. George’s |
| Haiti | Port-au-Prince |
| Jamaica | Kingston |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | Basseterre |
| Saint Lucia | Castries |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Kingstown |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Port of Spain |
Some of these capitals are world-famous cultural hubs—Havana is renowned for its vintage cars and vibrant music scene, while Kingston is the birthplace of reggae and the spiritual home of Bob Marley.
Others, like Basseterre in Saint Kitts and Nevis or Roseau in Dominica, are charming small cities that serve as administrative centers for their island nations.
Are The Caribbean Islands A Continent?
The Caribbean Islands are not classified as a continent. The Caribbean are a region within the continent of North America. Sometimes called the West Indies, they are a sub-region of the Americas that includes the Caribbean Sea, the islands within it, and the nearby coasts.
The Caribbean Islands are located south and east of North America, Central America, and South America, as well as the Gulf of Mexico.
The Caribbean Islands are grouped with Latin America to form a cultural and geopolitical region. The Caribbean Islands have a history of colonization, an African diaspora, and a rich indigenous history that shapes a unique cultural identity that is distinct from mainland North America.
Dependent Caribbean Islands
The Caribbean Islands are home to 17 non-sovereign dependent territories and 13 independent nations. Of the Caribbean Islands’ territories, four contain colonial powers.
British Overseas Territories
- Anguilla (capital: The Valley)
- British Virgin Islands (capital: Road Town)
- Cayman Islands (capital: George Town)
- Montserrat (capital: Plymouth – official, though abandoned; de facto capital is Brades)
- Turks and Caicos Islands (capital: Cockburn Town)
French Overseas Territories
- Guadeloupe (capital: Basse-Terre)
- Martinique (capital: Fort-de-France)
- Saint Barthélemy (capital: Gustavia)
- Saint Martin (French part, capital: Marigot)
Dutch Caribbean
- Aruba (capital: Oranjestad)
- Curaçao (capital: Willemstad)
- Sint Maarten (Dutch part, capital: Philipsburg)
- Bonaire (special municipality, capital: Kralendijk)
- Saba (special municipality, capital: The Bottom)
- Sint Eustatius (special municipality, capital: Oranjestad)
United States Territories
- Puerto Rico (capital: San Juan)
- United States Virgin Islands (capital: Charlotte Amalie)
Who Is the Richest Caribbean Country?
Determining the “richest” country in the Caribbean depends on whether you measure by total GDP or GDP per capita.
Ranking the Caribbean Islands by GDP
Riched by their independent nations by GDP per capita, the Cayman Islands (a British Overseas Territory) are ranked number one by a significant margin at $97,750.
The Bahamas are often cited to be one of the richest nations in the Caribbean, ranked around $40,000. Other Caribbean Islands that are independent nations and have a sustainable GDP are Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. Both of which receive income from tourism and the financial sector. It is important to remember that GDP is not equal to wealth in a country.
By Total GDP (Overall Economic Size)
The largest economies in the Caribbean by total gross domestic product are:
| Rank | Country | Economy Size |
| 1 | Dominican Republic | Largest economy in the Caribbean |
| 2 | Puerto Rico (U.S. territory) | Significant economy |
| 3 | Cuba | Large but centrally planned economy |
| 4 | Trinidad and Tobago | Major energy exporter |
| 5 | Jamaica | Tourism and services-based economy |
By GDP per Capita (Wealth per Person)
When measuring wealth per person (GDP per capita), the Cayman Islands—a British Overseas Territory, ranks highest in the region, with a GDP per capita of approximately $97,750**. Among sovereign nations, **The Bahamas** is often cited as one of the wealthiest, with a GDP per capita of approximately **$40,000. Other high-performing sovereign nations include Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, which benefit from tourism, financial services, and energy exports.
However, it’s important to note that GDP per capita doesn’t always reflect the distribution of wealth. Some Caribbean nations with lower GDP per capita have more equitable income distribution, while others with high GDP per capita experience significant inequality.
What Are the Five Largest Countries in the Caribbean?
When measuring by land area, the five largest countries in the Caribbean are:
| Rank | Country | Area (km²) | Area (mi²) |
| 1 | Cuba | 110,860 | 42,803 |
| 2 | Dominican Republic | 48,670 | 18,791 |
| 3 | Haiti | 27,750 | 10,714 |
| 4 | The Bahamas | 13,878 | 5,358 |
| 5 | Jamaica | 10,991 | 4,244 |
Cuba is the largest country in the Caribbean by a significant margin, covering over 110,000 square kilometers. It is also the most populous island in the Caribbean, with over 11 million residents.
Note: Some definitions of the Caribbean include mainland countries that border the Caribbean Sea, such as Guyana (214,969 km²) and Belize (22,966 km²). If these are included, Guyana would be the largest by area.
The smallest country in the Caribbean is Saint Kitts and Nevis, with a land area of just 261 km²
What Are the Most Populous Countries in the Caribbean?
When measuring by population (2025 estimates), the largest countries are:
| Rank | Country | Population (2025) |
| 1 | Haiti | 11,773,000 |
| 2 | Dominican Republic | 11,520,000 |
| 3 | Cuba | 10,937,000 |
| 4 | Puerto Rico (U.S. territory) | 3,235,000 |
| 5 | Jamaica | 2,800,000 |
The Caribbean region as a whole has a population of approximately 44.7 million people. Haiti and the Dominican Republic together account for nearly half of the region’s total population, as they share the island of Hispaniola.
Is Nigeria in the Caribbean?
No, Nigeria is not in the Caribbean. Nigeria is a country in West Africa, located on the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean. It borders Benin to the west, Chad and Cameroon to the east, and Niger to the north.
However, there are strong cultural and historical connections between Nigeria and the Caribbean. Millions of Caribbean people are of African descent, with many tracing their ancestry to West Africa, including Nigeria, as a result of the transatlantic slave trade. Nigerian cultural influences can be seen throughout the Caribbean in music, religion, cuisine, and language. For example, Yoruba religious traditions have deeply influenced practices like Santería in Cuba and Candomblé in the broader Caribbean region.
In recent years, Nigeria and Caribbean nations have strengthened diplomatic and economic ties. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu made a state visit to Saint Lucia in 2025, signaling a renewed commitment to Africa-Caribbean cooperation. Nigeria is also a member of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, an organization that facilitates cooperation between these regions
Reflections
There are so many different facets to the Caribbean, be it through its geography, culture, language, or history. Caribbean islands are home to some of the busiest and most colorful streets, picturesque sandy beaches, mountains that reach for the sky, and low, flat limestone islands.
When you look at the individual Caribbean nations, you can’t describe them simply by their capitals.
The Caribbean has a rich history of Indigenous peoples, a legacy of European colonialism, the African diaspora, and a continuing story of freedom and self-determination.
There are many reasons to want to know about this priceless part of the earth, be it for travel, for study, or simply being curious.
In addition to the travel and study potential, we want to express our appreciation of the principles of self-determination and independence through this guide to the 13 sovereign island nations of the Caribbean.