| a part of the Atlantic Ocean bounded by Central America, the West Indies, and South America. ab. 750,000 sq. mi. (1,943,000 sq. km); greatest known depth 22,788 ft. (6946 m). |
| Caribbean Sea An arm of the western Atlantic Ocean bounded by the coasts of Central and South America and the West Indies. It has been an important shipping route since the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914. Its many islands and tropical climate make the Caribbean a major tourist area. |
Arm of the Atlantic Ocean, bordered by the West Indies to the north and east, South America to the south, and Central America to the west.
Note: Its clear blue waters make many of its islands popular vacation spots.
Note: Since announcing the Monroe Doctrine in 1823, the United States has considered the Caribbean within its “sphere of influence” — that is, a region where United States interests are directly affected. The policy has been to exclude foreign powers, though after 1959, Cuba came under strong influence of the Soviet Union.