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The Caribbean Sea ( islands of Cuba , Hispaniola , Jamaica , and Puerto Rico lie to the north, and a plethora of Lesser Antilles bound the sea on the east. The entire area of the Caribbean Sea, the numerous islands of the West Indies, and adjacent coasts, are collectively known as the Caribbean . The Caribbean Sea is one of the largest salt water seas and has an area of about , Gulf Of Darien , Golfo De Los Mosquitos and Gulf Of Honduras . HISTORY See Also: History of the Caribbean The name "Caribbean" is derived from the Caribs, one of the dominant Amerindian groups in the region at the time of European contact during the late 15th Century . After the discovery of the West Indies by Christopher Columbus in 1492 , the Spanish term Antillas was commonly assigned to the lands; stemming from this, "Sea of the Antilles" is a common alternate name for the Caribbean Sea in various European languages. During the first century of development the Spanish dominance was undisputed. The Caribbean Sea was a relatively unknown body of water to Europe and Asia until 1492 when Christopher Columbus first sailed into Caribbean waters while trying to find a route to India . At the time the area of the Caribbean Sea and the Western Hemisphere in general was commonly considered where the boundaries of Earth end based on the Flat Earth belief. Following the discovery of the islands by Columbus, the area was quickly colonized by Western Civilization s. Following the colonization of the Caribbean islands, the sea became a common ground for European trading and transport eventually attracting Piracy . Today the area is home to 22 island territories and borders 12 continental countries. Due to year-round high temperatures the Carribean has become a common place for tourism which has helped grow the cruise industry in the area ( see Cruising and Cruise Ship ). The Caribbean sea is often a pathway for Hurricanes . GEOLOGY The Caribbean sea is a marginal sea located largely situated on the Caribbean Plate. The Caribbean sea age estimates range from 20,000 years to 570 million years. The Caribbean sea floor is divided into five Basins separated from each other by underwater ridges and mountain ranges. Atlantic Ocean enters the Caribbean through the ''Anegada Passage'' lieing between the Lesser Antilles and Virgin Islands and the ''Windward Passage'' located between Cuba and Haiti . The deepest points of the sea lie in Cayman Trough with depths reaching approximately 7,686 m (25,220 feet). Despite this, the Caribbean Sea is considered a relatively shallow sea in comparison to other bodies of water. The tropical location of the sea help the water to maintain at a warm temperature ranging from the low of 70 to mid-80 Degree s Fahrenheit by the season. The Caribbean sea floor is also home to two and Puerto Rico Trench , which put the area is at a higher risk of Earthquake s. Underwater earthquakes pose a threat of generating Tsunami s which could have a devastating effect on the Caribbean islands. Scientific data reveals that over the last 500 years the area has saw a dozen earthquakes above 7.5 magnitude. 1 ECOLOGY The Caribbean is home to about 9 percent of the worlds by 15 countries. [http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/international/spaw.htm Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife to the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (SPAW)] NOAA Fisheries: Office of Protected Resources. URL accessed on April 30, 2006. Also several charitable organization have been formed to preserve the Caribbean marine life, such as ''Caribbean Conservation Corporation'' which seeks to study and protect Sea Turtles while educating others about them. Caribbean Conservation Corporation Orion Online. URL last accessed May 1, 2006. POPULAR CULTURE Books The Carribean is the setting for countless literary efforts. One memorable work of pulp fiction has in its title a geographic feature unique in its way to the islands: ''Fear Cay'', the eleventh Doc Savage adventure by Lester Dent . Film The area is the setting for the film ''''. ' SEE ALSO NOTES REFERENCES
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