Now that you can find the Caribbean countries, add their capitals. Most are port cities, because island countries grew up around their harbors.
| Country | Capital |
|---|---|
| Cuba | Havana |
| Jamaica | Kingston |
| Haiti | Port-au-Prince |
| Dominican Republic | Santo Domingo |
| Bahamas | Nassau |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Port of Spain |
| Barbados | Bridgetown |
| Antigua and Barbuda | St. John's |
| Dominica | Roseau |
| Grenada | St. George's |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | Basseterre |
| Saint Lucia | Castries |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Kingstown |
Key idea
Start with the big islands: Havana (Cuba), Kingston (Jamaica), Port-au-Prince (Haiti), Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) and Nassau (Bahamas). Then learn the small islands in pairs from north to south.
Why it works
Many capitals in the Lesser Antilles carry the names of saints or of English kings and towns: St. John's, Basseterre, Roseau, Castries, Kingstown, St. George's, Bridgetown. These names come from the colonial era, when European ships built harbors on these islands. Linking each name to its island, in order down the chain, is easier than learning them as a loose list.
Worked example: Hispaniola's two capitals
Which capital is in Haiti, and which is in the Dominican Republic?
- Haiti is the western part of Hispaniola; its capital is Port-au-Prince, on a wide bay.
- The Dominican Republic is the eastern part; its capital is Santo Domingo, on the south coast.
Answer: Port-au-Prince (Haiti); Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic).
Worked example: Two Kings
Kingston or Kingstown: which is Jamaica's capital?
- Kingston is Jamaica's capital.
- Kingstown, with a "t", is the capital of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Answer: Kingston.
Common mistake
The most common swap is on Hispaniola: putting Port-au-Prince in the Dominican Republic. Remember: Haiti is the west, and Port-au-Prince faces west into its bay. The Dominican Republic is the east, with Santo Domingo.