The name “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 in fact reached the Americas.
The name “Caribbean” is named after the Caribs, one of the dominant Amerindian groups in the region at the time of European contact.
The Caribbean consists of the Greater and Lesser Antilles and is often considered part of North America.
clipped from: carribeancruises.co.cc