This beautiful guide takes you to the best islands of the Caribbean, from the Windward Islands of St. Lucia and Dominica to the Leeward Islands of Antigua and Barbados. Replete with detailed visitor information and insider tips from National Geographic writers, photographers, and explorers, it features cut-away illustrations of the coral reefs surrounding many of the islands and their inhabitants; an array of detailed maps; and sumptuous photographs. Broken into chapters by islands or island groups (including Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Barbados, Trinidad, the French Antilles, the Virgin Islands, and the lesser known islands), it also features a fascinating introduction to island history and culture. Special in-depth sidebars discuss Rastafarianism, Cricket in the Caribbean, cruising, and the Arecibo Observatory, while experiential sidebars provide an entree into the culture, such as cooking Jamaican cuisine and celebrating Carnival the Caribbean way. Among other favorite features are guided tours, including a walk in the Dominican Republic's Colonial zone and a drive around Basse-Terre; and an extensive travel planner that details practicalities and offers a guide to sports and activities for the individual islands.