Final answer:
Cuba is the largest country in the West Indies by land area, with features such as the Sierra Maestra and Escambray Mountains, and fertile valleys. It has a rich history of colonialism, plantation agriculture, and revolution. The Caribbean also includes the Greater Antilles and the Lesser Antilles, which were crucial during European colonization, particularly for their sugar cane plantations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Which Country in the West Indies Has the Largest Land Area?
The West Indies, also known as the Caribbean, is a region of the Americas consisting of the Caribbean Sea and its surrounding coasts, as well as more than 7,000 islands, islets, reefs, and cays. The largest country by land area in the West Indies is Cuba, which is also the largest island in the Greater Antilles. Cuba's history has been shaped by events such as colonialism, the transition to plantation agriculture, and a landmark socialist revolution.
Cuba's geographical features include the Sierra Maestra mountains on its eastern part, the central Escambray Mountains, and the Western Karst region. The country's size is slightly smaller than the US state of Pennsylvania, and its terrain is characterized by low hills and fertile valleys. Beyond its historical significance, the island's pristine Caribbean waters make it a stunning tourist destination.
Additional important islands within the Greater Antilles include Jamaica, Hispaniola (which is shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic), and Puerto Rico. These islands, along with Cuba, played a crucial role during the period of European colonization when countries such as Spain and Britain established colonies in the Caribbean, and the plantation economy, especially based on sugar cane, was established. In Jamaica, for instance, the population was greatly affected by the introduction of African slaves, which replaced the native Taino Indians.
The Caribbean region also includes the Lesser Antilles, which are smaller islands located to the east and south of the Greater Antilles. The area has been influential in the context of trade and economic development within the colonial era, particularly due to the profitability of the Sugar Islands, such as Barbados and Jamaica, during the 17th century British colonization.