Caribbean Lifestyle
The population of the Caribbean islands in the year 2000 was nearly 37.5 million and by 2025 it is expected to rise by nearly 50 million. There has been a varying rate of increase in the populations from island to island depending on the region's economic, social factors and international links. In Haiti where life expectancy is 51 years, in Puerto Rico it rises to 74 years. Though the populations of the islands are increasing in general, the growth of population active in agriculture has decreased in the past years. Increase in mechanization has improved the efficiency in the island's farms which has resulted in imports of foods and migrations to towns and tourist resorts. Where the rate of migration from agricultural regions is less, the growth of population is also higher. The countries of Jamaica and Haiti showed this trend where the population in agricultural communities rose by 75% during the years.
The influence of British, French, Africans and East Indians has left an interesting mixture in the Caribbean people's culture, dialect and general ways of life. The people of the islands influence everyone with their warm, charming and colourful speeches, engaging looks, walks, great energy and love of life. No matter what the age of the people they love to have fun. Most of the people here are religiously and spiritually conscious. They have an open, thoughtful and generous nature. The island itself is a reflection of its people where one can find simple chattel houses standing boldly alongside wealthy estates. The people of the islands generally are quite open minded and they have time for everyone irrespective of their race, background and disposition.
More than 100 religions are followed by the different people of the Caribbean islands. A few of the religions are: Anglican, Christianity, Hinduism, Jewish, Methodist, Moravian, Mormon, Islam, Rastafarian, Roman Catholics and Spiritual Baptism etc. The places of worship of the many religious groups very from simple chattel houses to majestic coral structures. Many of the people of the Caribbean islands employ in agriculture as farmers or estate workers. The main crop they export are the cocoa, mace, nutmeg. Since the island is sometimes lashed by hurricanes, increasing number of hurricane resisting nutmeg trees have been introduced.
Though most people use the traditional way of plantation, many genetically engineered crops have also been introduced in recent years. Steps have also been taken by the Governments to improve people's skills in information technology and computer literacy.