In this contribution the “Wider Caribbean” is understood as the union of two seas or basins: the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, with their islands and continental coasts that extend from the Floridian peninsula to the east of Venezuela, and even beyond, including the Guayanas, historically related to the Caribbean because of their similarity in development and island character. How do the two seas influence the history and development of the countries located around them? What significance do they have for their inhabitants, of different social conditions and geographic origins? What has been their importance in global historical terms, from the end of the 18th century to the beginnings of the 21st?

Important geographic resources determined the role of the two basins in the history of colonial and post-colonial America. The islands of the Caribbean Sea were the first strongholds of European colonial expansionism, where the Spanish monarchy rehearsed schemes of political and social organization as well as economic exploitation. With the conquest of the continental territories the two seas began to host important maritime routes as well as the principal entrances to the viceroyalties of New Spain and Peru. Magnificent bays served as harbours for the fleets that transported American treasures to Spain and European merchandise in return. The wide and protected bays of San Juan of Puerto Rico, Cartagena de Indias and Havana could give shelter to hundreds of merchant and war ships.