The West Indies are a chain of islands that separate the Atlantic Ocean from the Caribbean Sea. The islands were some of the first land reached by explorers from western Europe and became colonies of the countries that sponsored the expeditions.
Most of the islands are independent, but several groups remain territories of larger nations. The territories include the British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Havana, Cuba, and Kingston, Jamaica, are two of the largest capitals in the Caribbean.
