Caribbean Flags - Jamaican, Trinidad, Barbados, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Bahamas

The West Indies (Caribbean) are a large group of islands that separate the Caribbean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean. It is comprised of three (3) main island groups, including the Bahamas (north), the Greater Antilles (central), and the Lesser Antilles in the (southeast).

The Bahamas consist of over 3,000 individual islands and reefs. The Greater Antilles include the island countries of Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic (Hispaniola), and Puerto Rico. The Lesser Antilles are the much smaller islands to the southeast, and they are divided into two (2) groups, the Leeward Islands and Windward Islands.

The flag of Antigua and Barbuda was officially adopted on February 27, 1967. The sun represents the dawning of a new era, the red indicates the energy of the people, blue is hope and the black represents its African ancestry. The V shape is said to symbolize victory and the overall combination of yellow, blue and white represents the sun, sand and sea of this Caribbean island nation

The flag consists of a red star with a white outline set against a sea-blue background with two parallel yellow stripes. The star represents the four points of the compass, denoting the varied source of more than 40 nationalities living on Aruba. The red color of the star symbolizes love of country, the white outline on the star represents the white sandy beaches surrounding Aruba, and the blue denotes the color of the sea. The two yellow STRIPES indicate the free position of Aruba with respect to The Netherlands and other islands, while maintaining a close relationship with them.

The flag of the Bahamas was officially adopted on July 10, 1973. The black color represents the strength and will power of the people, yellow the sandy beaches, and the aquamarine blue the Caribbean Sea.

The flag of Barbados was officially adopted on November 30, 1966. The blue color represents the sea and gold symbolizes the golden sands of the island. The broken trident centered represents the break from its colonial past.

The flag of Belize was officially adopted on September 21, 1981. The blue on the flag is the party color of the PUP, while the red stripes were added to recognize the color of the opposition party. The centered coat of arm features the 50 leaves, symbolizing the year the PUP (People's United Party) came into power.

The current Bermuda flag was adopted in the 1960s.

As a British overseas territory, Bermuda's flag features the United Kingdom flag upper left. The green and white badge displays a red lion holding a shield that symbolizes the sinking of the Sea Venture about one mile off the coastline of Bermuda in the summer of 1609. The ship was caught in a hurricane, and subsequently struck a reef.

Over 40 islands, including Anegada, Tortola and Virgin Gorda

The flag of the Caymans was officially adopted in 1959.

As a British dependent territory the islands fly the United Kingdom (UK) flag. The Cayman coat of arms displays the Lion of England and features three stars that represent the three main islands. The blue and white wavy lines represent the sea. The coat of arms is topped by a pineapple and turtle, symbolic of the indigenous fauna and flora.

The flag of Cuba was officially adopted on May 20, 1902. The overall design is modeled after the U.S. flag. The red triangle is from the Masonic symbol for equality. La Estrella Solitaria, or the white Lone Star is placed on the triangle.

The flag of Dominica was officially adopted on November 3, 1978. The yellow represents the original inhabitants, black the fertile soil, and white indicates the pure water. The centered stars symbolize the ten island parishes. The Sisserou Parrot is indigenous to the island.

The flag of the Dominican Republic was officially adopted on November 6, 1844. The blue and red are from the flag of Haiti, which once controlled the Dominican Republic. The coat of arms is centered.

The flag of Grenada was officially adopted on February 7, 1974. The red indicates courage, yellow wisdom and warmth, and the green vegetation. The left green triangle features a small nutmeg, the most famous product of the island. The gold outer stars represent the six parishes, and the centered star represent the capital city of St. George's.

The flag of Haiti was officially adopted on May 18, 1803. As a former French colony, the blue and red colors are modeled after the French Tricolor. The national coat of arms is centered on a white base and the royal palm at its center symbolizes independence.

The flag of Jamaica was officially adopted on August 6, 1962. The black represents hardships of the past, green the fertile land and yellow the shining sun. In addition, black, green and yellow are the Pan-African colors.

The current flag of Montserrat was officially adopted in 1962.

As a British dependent territory the island flies the United Kingdom (UK) flag. The coat of arms dates from 1909, and shows a woman dressed in green, holding a cross and harp. The cross is symbolic of Christianity, while the harp and woman recall Irish immigrants that settled on the island in 1632.

The current flag of Netherlands Antilles was officially adopted in 1994.

The blue and red are colors used on the Netherlands flag, and the five stars on the horizontal blue band represent the five main islands of the Netherlands Antilles, including Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten.

The flag of Puerto Rico is similar to the flag of Cuba, as both were designed at the same time. The colors and symbols are said to represent: Red Stripes stand for the "blood" that nourishes the three branches of its government; Legislative, Executive and Judiciary. White Stripes represent individual liberty and the rights that keep the government in balance. The Blue Triangle stands for the "Republican Government", represented by the three branches, and the White Lone Star represents "The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico".

The flag of St. Kitts and Nevis was officially adopted on September 19, 1983. The green color is said to be symbolic of the very fertile land, black recalls the African heritage of St. Kitts, and red the overall struggle for freedom. The two white stars indicate hope and liberty.

The flag of St. Lucia was officially adopted on March 1, 1967. The blue field represents the Caribbean Sea. The triangle symbol symbolizes the island's famous Pitons and the twin volcanic peaks.

The flag of St. Vincent and the Grenadines was officially adopted on October 12, 1985. The blue represents the sky, yellow the almost constant sunshine and green the vegetation. The coat of arms is centered and the V shape stands for St. Vincent.

The current flag of Suriname was officially adopted on November 25, 1975. The white represents freedom and justice and the red and green were the colors of the political parties during independence. The gold star symbolizes unity and hope.

The flag of Trinidad and Tobago was officially adopted on August 31, 1962. The two white stripes represent the sea, red the people and black represents their strength.

The current flag of the Turks and Caicos was officially adopted in 1968.

As an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, the islands fly the (UK) flag. The coat of arm's shield (shown) displays a conch shell, a crayfish that represent the local fishing industry, and a flowering cactus representing local flora.

St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas

The current flag of the U.S. Virgin Islands was officially adopted in 1921.

As an unincorporated territory of the United States, the island's flag features parts of the U.S. seal. One eagle claw holds three arrows, representative of the three major islands, while the other claw holds an olive branch.

Map of the Caribbean