The Caribbean is a region rich in history and cultural diversity. The area has been important in world history from time to time, as a geographical and cultural crossroads, the source of significant wealth, and most recently a preferred holiday destination. For the most part, however, it has been overlooked, and while exploited, not treated with particular care or fondness either by its inhabitants or its absentee rulers. Its significance is coming to be appreciated at the moment, and ignorance and maltreatment are coming to a close as the region is establishing its identity and will perhaps serve as a global model for inter-cultural cooperation and industriousness,

Original inhabitants were all but wiped out by forced labor and disease, but their cultural legacy remains. Archaeologist and anthropologists have shown us that, given the archipelago's gentle climate, Indian populations enjoyed a sedate and pleasant, if sometime idealized lifestyle. Colonization by Europeans brought disease, large scale agriculture, African slavery, piracy, and close affinity with the cultures of the various metropolitan nations. These feature have characterized Caribbean life well into modern times, and make it unique in its variety, its large percentage of African population, and its adherence to European cultural norms.

In recent decades, independence has been achieve in most instances, but has brought its own array of challenges. Economic cooperation has been a difficult necessity. Transportation and communication have proven difficult between islands. Many of the islands have remained beholden to colonial powers or have entered into newly dependent arrangements with one another, with large countries, or with international organizations. Profits from agriculture, offshore businesses and from tourism have helped in many instances, but have not solved basic difficulties. A current preoccupation is the fostering of a regional identity as a precursor to the cooperation that will be needed to achieve true economic and political viability. Overall, the story has been one of difficulty, interspersed with bursts of rich cultural achievement and hope, realized by people of tremendous vitality. It is a fascinating and inspirational one.