HISTORIX Vintage 1961 Caribbean America Map and similar items

The Caribbean is a vast range of islands that have been ruled by Spain, France, England, and The United States since Columbus' landing in 1492. As the primary shipping channel for American exports to Europe, the importance of the region cannot be understated. Cuba's position as the largest island in the area and its proximity to the southernmost portion of the United States gave it a critical position in the geopolitical climate of the 1960s. As the Soviet Union boosted Cuba's military, tensions increased between the United States and Cuba. The waters of the Caribbean draw numerous tourists annually and are home to large migratory patterns for fish and turtles as well as their iconic crystal clear waters and coral reefs. The completion of the Panama Canal in 1914 transformed the region's economy and connected the Atlantic and Pacific oceans creating faster shipping routes and increasing international trade.