West Indies: Spectacular sound of drum beats and calypso music

Most enthusiastic and colourful of cricket fans :

The West Indies, one of the most vibrant regions in the cricketing world and home to some of the most enthusiastic and colourful of cricket fans, is hosting this year's ICC Cricket World Cup 2007.

Cricket in the Caribbean is not only a game but a way of life and a game of cricket is not simply a match but a spectacle to watch both on the field and in the stands, with the sound of drum beats, the rhythm of Calypso music and the cheering of frenzied fans.

The West Indies is a large group of islands that separate the Caribbean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean. It is comprised of three main island groups namely the Bahamas, the Greater Antilles and the Lesser Antilles. The island nations are often frequented by tourists who come mainly to visit the beautiful white sandy beaches.

The island states together with Guyana which forms part of the South American continent, are also known by their world class cricket team, which is also a winner of the World Cup twice.

As these states together hold the privilege of hosting the 2007 cricket world cup, millions of visitors from all parts of the world are expected to reach them to watch the thrilling and the much awaited Cricket World Cup. Those visiting the islands to watch the Cricket World Cup should not miss the wonderful and fantastic sights in the islands that can be a memorable experience in itself.

The various states comprising the West Indies such as Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago are preparing to host the World Cup Cricket.

The amazing picturesque and the historical and cultural monuments of the region are indeed a visitor's delight. With its amazing ineffable beauty, Antigua & Barbuda has become a popular tourist destination. Beaches include Antigua's main attractions and the island boasts of 365 white sandy beaches that are a visitor's delight.

Barbuda, the other half of this twin-island nation has a frigate bird colony and remote beaches that entertains the bird watchers and the yachters. Museum of Antigua & Barbuda, Dockyard Museum that tells the story of Antigua's famous English Harbor and Devil's Bridge a natural arch formed by the sea are the other important tourist attractions of this island-nation.

The unique building of Harrison's Cave, Ocean Park that displays a collection of freshwater and tropical marine life and Barbados Museum housed in the former British Military Prison are the major landmarks of Barbados whose beaches formed of finely ground coral are thronged by tourists the year round.

The mountainous island of Grenada known for various spices such as nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cinnamon and cocoa is another well-known destination in the Caribbean.

Carenage, the center of marine activity on the island, Fort George, the oldest fort in Grenada and Grenada National Museum, that preserves the history of the island are considered as the other important places to be visited in the island.

Guyana with the Guyana Museum, amazing Kaieteur Falls and gorgeous Botanical Garden is also a country with a lot to offer to visitors. Considered as one of the most fascinating of the Caribbean Islands , Jamaica is blest with beaches, mountains and carnal red sunsets.

Blue Lagoon, one of the most beautiful spots in Jamaica, Port Royal the fishing village and St James Parish Church, one of the finest churches on the island are the main attractions that make a visit to the island-nation worthwhile.

In St Kitts & Nevis the main tourist centers are Basseterre, the capital, Charlestown, the largest town and commercial center of Nevis, Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, Oualie Beach and Verchild's Mountain.

St Lucia is another Caribbean island known for its amazing beauty. Castries, the commercial center, Marigot Bay, Frigate Islands Nature Reserve and Diamond Falls and Mineral Baths are the major tourist attractions in the island.

The beautiful islands of St Vincent & the Grenadines has a number of must-see places including Bequia, the hilly Green Island, the Botanical Gardens, the oldest garden in the Western Hemisphere, Fort Charlotte and Falls of Baleine, the main waterfalls of these islands.

The islands of Trinidad & Tobago also have several fascinating attractions that draw plenty of visitors each year. Some of such attractions include Asa Wright Nature Center, the triple-tiered Argyle Falls and Tobago Forest Reserve, the oldest forest reserve in the Caribbean. With their beauty, charm and interesting sights, the fascinating Caribbean Islands of the West Indies are worth visiting.

The Caribbean

The name "Caribbean" is named after the Caribs, one of the dominant Amerindian groups in the region at the time of European contact during the late 15th century. The analogous "West Indies" originates from Christopher Columbus' idea that he had landed in the Indies (then meaning all of south and east Asia) when he had actually reached the Americas.

The Spanish term Antillas was commonly assigned to the newly discovered lands; stemming from this, "Sea of the Antilles" is a common alternate name for the Caribbean Sea in various European languages.

In the English-speaking Caribbean, someone from the Caribbean is usually referred to as a "West Indian", although the rather cumbersome phrase "Caribbean person" is sometimes used. The use of the words "Caribbean" and "Caribbeans" to refer to a West Indian or West Indians is largely unknown in the English-speaking Caribbean.

Geography and climate

The geography and climate in the Caribbean region varies from one place to another. Some islands in the region are relatively flat terrains of non-volcanic in origins such islands include Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, the Cayman Islands or Anguilla.

Meanwhile others may contain some rugged towering mountain-ranges like the islands of Cuba, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Saba, Saint Lucia or Trinidad.

The climate of the region mainly ranges between sub-tropical to tropical and depends a great deal upon location in proximity to the tradewinds from the Atlantic. The Tradewinds blow towards the Eastern Caribbean islands heading northwest up the chain of Windward islands.

When the tradewinds reach close to the island of Cuba they tend to get overcome by other minor jet streams across the Caribbean region.

In the waters of the Caribbean Sea, the region can be found migratory large schools of fish, turtles and coral reef formations.

The Puerto Rico trench located on the fringe of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea just to the north of the island of Puerto Rico is said to be the deepest point in the entire Atlantic Ocean.

In the majority of cases hurricanes which at times batter the region usually strike northwards of Grenada, and to the West of Barbados. The principle hurricane belt arks to northwest of the island of Barbados in the Eastern Caribbean.

Bio-diversity hotspots

The Caribbean Islands are classified as one of Conservation International's bio-diversity hotspots because they support exceptionally diverse ecosystems, ranging from montane cloud forests to cactus scrublands. These ecosystems have been devastated by deforestation and encroachment.

The hotspot has dozens of highly threatened species, including two species of solenodon (giant shrews) and the Cuban crocodile. The hotspot is also remarkable for the diminutive nature of much of its fauna, boasting the world's smallest bird and smallest snake.

Courtesy Internet