This text focuses on the contemporary economic, social, geographical, environmental and political realities of the Caribbean region. Historical aspects of the Caribbean, such as slavery, the plantation system and plantocracy are explored in order to explain the contemporary nature of, and challenges faced by, the Caribbean. The book is divided into three parts, dealing respectively with: the foundations of the Caribbean, rural and urban bases of the contemporary Caribbean, and global restructuring and the Caribbean: industry, tourism and politics.

Robert B. Potter, David Barker, Thomas Klak, Denis Conway

Contents Preface Introduction PART I FOUNDATIONS OF THE CARIBBEAN 1. The Caribbean Landscape 2. Populations and Migration PART II RURAL AND URBAN BASES OF THE CONTEMPORARY CARIBBEAN 3. Agriculture and agrarian Structure 4. Vulnerability and the Impact of Natural Hazards 5. Social Conditions 6. Housing in the Caribbean 7. Urban Dynamics and Townscapes PART III GLOBAL RESTRUCTURING AND THE CARIBBEAN: INDUSTRY, TOURISM AND POLITICS 8. Industrialization, Development and Economic Change 9. Offshore Services and the Caribbean 10. Globalisation and the Caribbean 11. Tourism, Environment and Development 12. Political Realities and the Caribbean