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Are there 13 or 26 Caribbean countries?

Published in Caribbean Nations 2 mins read

There are 13 Caribbean countries if you are referring to independent, sovereign states within the region. While the broader Caribbean encompasses a larger number of political entities, the specific count of sovereign nations is 13.

Understanding "Caribbean Countries"

When discussing "Caribbean countries," the term most commonly refers to sovereign states – independent nations with their own governments. These are the nations that are fully self-governing and recognized internationally.

Examples of Caribbean sovereign states include:

  • Jamaica
  • Cuba
  • Dominican Republic
  • Barbados
  • Saint Lucia

The Broader Caribbean Region's Political Entities

The Caribbean region is actually organized into a more extensive collection of political entities. Beyond the sovereign states, it includes various non-sovereign territories that are dependencies or overseas territories of other nations. In total, the region comprises approximately 33 political entities. This broader classification includes:

  • Sovereign States: Nations with full independence.
  • Dependencies: Territories that are not fully independent but have their own governments to varying degrees.
  • Overseas Territories: Regions administered by an external sovereign state.

The number 26 is not an accurate count for either sovereign states alone or any standard combination of political entities described within the region based on available information.

Breakdown of Caribbean Political Entities

To clarify the composition of the Caribbean, here is a breakdown of its various political entities:

Type of Entity Approximate Number Description
Sovereign States 13 Fully independent and self-governing nations.
Dependencies 12 Non-sovereign territories with various degrees of autonomy.
Overseas Territories 7 Territories directly administered by an external state.
Disputed Territories Various Areas whose sovereignty is contested.
Total Political Entities ~33 The sum of all distinct political divisions in the region.

Therefore, while the Caribbean region is home to many islands and territories, the exact number of independent countries is 13.

For more detailed information on the region, you can explore the Caribbean.