9781422286265

11

The Land

Camuy Caverns in northwest Puerto Rico is the third-largest cave system in the Western Hemisphere. More than 10 miles (16 km) of this vast underground area have been explored and mapped. It is one of many popular tourist attractions in the Arecibo area.

damage. For example, eruptions on Montserrat between 1995 and 1997 destroyed many homes and forced two-thirds of the island’s population to leave. Dominica’s rough terrain made it a challenge for Europeans to colo- nize, and as the most mountainous island in the region, it remains mostly undeveloped today. The Dominican Republic is home to the Caribbean’s highest and lowest points. Pico Duarte towers about 10,100 feet (3,080 meters), earning the mountain the nickname “Roof of the Caribbean.” Lake Enriquillo lies 114 feet (35 meters) below sea level. The terrain across the region, even on a single island, can range widely, from rugged rain forests to rolling hills to dry savannas . The Caribbean is most renowned for its beaches, which can range from