Caribbean Region Rework

[funkyfreshrat]

Hello everyone,

Happy Halloween, I have come to revive discussion on reworking the Caribbean region in-game. I would like to point us now to this incredibly well researched post from this suggestion thread (a thread I feel deserves more attention and upvotes but I don't particularly care to necro).

Ok, I ‘ve surprised myself how far I can go into details. Hope this presentation can well portray Caribbean of 16-18th centuries.

Why map change with more provinces in Caribbean is needed:

• Carbibbean was one of the most important regions in Amercia during 16-18th centuries.
• Compared to North America it lacks detail and historical sense terribly.
• Haiti & Jamaica, 2 wealthiest colonies of 18th century Caribbean are completely misrepresented.
• Some things need to be adressed:
  • Moron province in Cuba is in wrong geographical area. Also it‘s low profile province which probably shouldn‘t exist.
  • Barahonas province is in wrong geographical area. Province name is of Spanish language origin and nearly out of EUIV timeframe – how it can exist for Taino period? Clearly this name shouldn‘t exist at all.
  • Curacao port & city is placed in Aruba island. ABC islands of Netherland Antilles need map corrections.
  • Some more low profile provinces & capital cities should be renamed. For instance Puerto Plata in Hispaniola or Guantanamo in Cuba.

What offer my map & other suggestions:

• Good balance of provinces between different parts of Caribbean, and number of Caribbean provinces in America as a whole.
• Perfected historical divisions of Hispaniola, Cuba, Jamaica & Puerto Rico Islands for 16-18th centuries.
• Only continously inhabited small islands colonized not later than 18th century are suggested, with islands also being no less than some 200 km2 area in size and distant enough on map from each other.
• Main trade hubs of Caribbean corrected. Now Spanish, British, French & Dutch own 1 Important Natural Harbor each. And it‘s not artificial game balance suggestion – it‘s entirely in line with history.
• Locations of main historical military outposts (forts) suggested.
• Well researched historical Trade Goods suggested.
• Possible indigenous names for all provinces suggested.
• Simple thoughts on possible missions and events suggested.

For Spanish provinces I‘ve used Cabildo as main parameter for historical divisions. Cabildos were Spanish towns (villas) with administrative council.

MAP
View attachment 377550

Spoiler: Cuba

History of colonial Cuba is simple enough as it was one of the most stable regions in Caribbean. For 2/3 of EUIV timeframe lands of Cuba were divided between 8 Spanish villas so historical provinces are really obvious there.
But I found space and strong arguments for 9th province in west end of Cuba since Havana covered far bigger area than other villas and region there has very clear identity & rich history.

View attachment 377547

7 villas founded by Diego Velazquez de Cuellar to govern Cuba in early 16th century:

• Baracoa
• Bayamo
• Trinidad
• Sancti Spiritus
• Puerto Principe (Camaguey)
• Havana
• Santiago de Cuba

Secret villa founded by Vasco Porcallo de Figueroa, villa status from 1550 upon Figueroa’s death:

• Remedios

Land of Guanahatabey indigenous people in western end of Cuba, modern Pinar del Rio:

• Guane

Camaguey is modern name of city and also name of Indian village where city was built, but during all colonial period settlement was known as Puerto Principe.

Capital cities:

1. Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion de Baracoa
2. San Salvador de Bayamo
3. Villa de la Santisima Trinidad
4. Sancti Spiritus
5. Santa Maria del Puerto del Principe
6. San Cristobal de La Habana
7. Santiago de Cuba
8. San Juan de los Remedios de la Sabana del Cayo
9. Guane

I think 9 provinces is optimal number for Cuba, it doesn’t quite deserve more of them. But in case if few more are needed:

• Matanzas - established in 1572 as small port, city status with its own council from 1693, still among earliest established big cities & modern provinces of Cuba.
• Santa Clara - established in 1689 with city status and was very important since then, but in general it took over functions from Remedios and potential Santa Clara province would just duplicate Remedios province.
• Holguin - to honor conquistador Garcia Holguin for his achievements vast lands were granted by Diego Velazquez de Cuellar in year 1523, after Holguin death in 1545 lands were documented, in 1720 Holguin town established and in 1752 city status granted. So roots of this province and major city trace back into early 16th century, but fully functional settlement started to exist only in 18th century.
• Moron - founded in 1543 as small village, was part of lands belonging to Puerto Principe. City status only in 1750.

All the rest notable cities and historical provinces of Cuba are basically out of EUIV timeframe.

Spoiler: Hispaniola

The most dynamic region in Caribbean. First colony of New World. Nearly all historical settlements changing names and places, being abandoned and later repopulated, or being destroyed by earthquakes and rebuilt again. Haven of pirates. First independent country of slaves. Lots of historical events in this island and so it took me really a while to move everything into right places.

View attachment 377551

In the end I came up to conclusion that first 5 provinces of independent Dominican Republic would ideally fit for east side of Hispaniola:

• Santo Domingo
• Santiago, capital city - Santiago de los Caballeros
• La Vega, capital city - Concepcion de la Vega
• Seibo, capital city - Santa Cruz del Seibo
• Azua, capital city – Azua de Compostela

It is said that those provinces were based on Spanish colonial Santo Domingo divisions just that I couldn’t find clear source proving that.

But such division is clearly foreseeable since Santo Domingo, La Vega and Santiago de los Caballeros were 3 main cities by far right from early 16th century. Azua was the only longstanding city in vast lands of nearly uninhabited central Hispaniola. And Santa Cruz del Seibo & Salvaleon de Higuey were 2 towns created to fight chiefdom of Higuey in eastern end of island, with latter one being just parish in Seibo county according Higuey Wikipedia.

5 suggested provinces perfectly match any period between 16-19th centuries.

Spoiler: Map of Spanish villas & Gold areas in early 16th century

View attachment 377552

Spoiler: Map of abandoned villas in 1605-1606 & area permitted to settle until 18th century

View attachment 377553

For western side I suggest 4 provinces of 1821 Haiti:

• Cap-Francais (North), initially Tortuga
• Artibonite, capital city - Saint-Marc
• Port-au-Prince (West)
• Les Cayes (South)

Historically French colony Saint-Domingue was divided into 3 provinces, nice map and source on this:
Revoliution in Saint-Domingue

But Artibonite valley has very clear geographical area and next source will give better idea why 4 land provinces fit perfectly well even for colonial times of French Saint-Domingue (amazing source for all Caribbean):
Atlantic Port Cities

Spoiler: Jamaica

3 provinces in Jamaica? Why?

Spoiler: This should give better idea why

View attachment 377560

During 18th century Jamaica was 2nd wealthiest and 2nd most populous colony in entire Caribbean behind only French Saint-Domingue, but ahead of 10 times bigger island of Cuba. It is said that it produced 20% of all World sugar exported to Europe, compared to 40% of Saint Domingue and 90% of all Caribbean. I don’t think that 1 province or even 2 are enough to represent that. Jamaica has many historical provinces to offer for timeframe (more than Cuba), so the only possible obstacle for 3-province division is small size of island.

Historically English Jamaica was divided into 3 counties which haven’t changed even today – Surrey, Middlesex & Cornwall.
History of Jamaica parishes
Jamaica port Towns
3 counties map could be kept, but province names I would change to:

• Kingston, initially Port Royal
• St. Catherine, capital city - Spanish Town / Santiago de la Vega
• St. Elizabeth, capital city - Black River (or St. James, capital city – Montego Bay)

And Cayman Islands could be included as well. Grand Cayman was colonized, it had towns, it has history for EUIV timeline:

• Cayman Islands, capital – Bodden Town

Spoiler: Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands

Virgin Islands are close to Puerto Rico and could make same state. Else it’s 2 states with 2 provinces only.

Captaincy General of Puerto Rico
2 Spanish villas founded on island of Puerto Rico:

• San Juan
• San German

Danish Virgin Islands:

• St. Thomas (St. Thomas + St. John + British Virgin Islands), capital city - Charlotte Amalie
• St. Croix, capital city - Christiansted

British Virgin Islands are included in St. Thomas since they are just too close to St. Thomas and not significant enough to make separate province – all the timeframe they were administrated from British Leeward Islands.
While St. Croix is fairly big and distant from rest of Virgin Islands and has similar historical weight compared to most other island provinces of Lesser Antilles already in game.

Spoiler: Leeward & Windward Islands

2 more islands most definitely should be added there – Grenada & Tobago. Those were big enough and important enough islands and deserve to be represented. Colonization history of Tobago is one of the more interesting stories out there – even Courland tried to colonize it. While Grenada was probably 3rd most important French island in West Indies after Martinique & Guadeloupe.

• St. Martin, capital city – Philipsburg
• St. Kitts, capital city – Charlestown / Basseterre
• Antigua, capital city – St. John’s
• Guadeloupe, capital city – Basse-Terre
• Dominica, capital city – Roseau
• Martinique, capital city – Saint-Pierre
• St. Lucia, capital city – Carenage
• St. Vincent, capital city – Kingstown
• Grenada, capital city – Fort Royal
• Barbados, capital city – Bridgetown
• Tobago, capital city – Scarborough
• Trinidad Island, capital city – Port of Spain

Next biggest island – Montserrat, is already not big enough and historically far less significant island compared to those 12. Later British Leeward Islands were divided into 2 regions: Antigua + Barbuda + Montserrat and St. Kitts + Nevis + Anguilla + Virgin Islands, so 2 provinces for British Leeward islands is pefect I think.
Just as 1 province for Dutch Leeward Islands – St. Martin + Sint Eustatius + Saba.

Spoiler: Leeward Antilles

As of now only one province exists in southern Caribbean but there can be as many as 4 separate island provinces.

• Curacao, capital city – Willemstad
• Aruba, capital city – Oranjestad
• Bonaire, capital city – Rincon
• Margarita, capital city – La Asuncion

These are the first small islands settled by Europeans in America. Islands have clear history for timeframe and from historical point of view they can easily make as separate provinces.
2 extra provinces for historical Caribbean Netherlands would make some counterweight for all new provinces I offer to Spain / France / England out there.

Spoiler: Lucayan Archipelago

• Bermuda, capital city – St. George’s
• Bahamas, capital city – Nassau
• Turks Islands, capital city – Cockburn Town

Bahamas province is quite big, but virtually only one continuously inhabited town existed in Bahamas during 16-18th centuries and historical weight of those 3 provinces is really small, so I don’t think that there should be more provinces.

Spoiler: Historical Population

Population of Caribbean was about 2 million by the end of 18th century – nearly 10% of all American population. But due to great climate conditions, easily accessible lands by ship and high percentage of slave labor Caribbean was the most productive region of America at the time.
Especially it’s true for French & British colonies which were nearly entirely made up of hardworking adult slaves. Slaves made up about 90% of population in French & British colonies, about 80% in Danish, 50% in Dutch and 30% in Spanish colonies.


Approx. population figures by country for year 1790:

760k – French
540k – Saint-Domingue
100k – Guadeloupe
100k – Martinique
20k – St. Lucia

550k – British
300k – Jamaica
80k – Barbados
80k – Antigua, St. Kitts (including British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, Anguilla)
70k – Grenada, St. Vincent, Dominica, Tobago
20k – Bermuda, Bahamas, Turks Islands

540k – Spanish
270k – Cuba
125k – Santo Domingo
120k – Puerto Rico
25k – Trinidad, Margarita

40k – Dutch
25k – Curacao, Bonaire, Aruba
15k – St. Martin (including Saba & Sint Eustatius)

40k – Danish
25k – St. Croix
15k – St. Thomas (including St. John)

Santo Domingo Demographics
Cuba Demographics
Puerto Rico Demographics

Spoiler: French Colonies

View attachment 377562

Largest port cities in Caribbean around 1790:

1. Havana – 44.000 (3rd largest city in America at the time after Mexico City & Lima)
2. Kingston – 26.000
3. Saint-Pierre – 20.000 (in Martinique)
4. Cap-Francais – 16.000
5. Santiago de Cuba – 15.000
6. Bridgetown – 14.000 (in Barbados)
7. Willemstad – 12.000 (in Curacao)
8. Santo Domingo – 11.000
9. Port-au-Prince – 6.000
10. San Juan – 6.000
    • Puerto Principe – ~15.000 (largest inland city in Caribbean)

7 out of top 20 largest ports on Atlantic coast were in Caribbean: Largest Ports of Atlantic America

Yeah, I’ve focused on late game there, but not much can be compared in 16-17th centuries as populations were very small and colonies were just setting up. This compare should give good overall look where to Caribbean were heading during 16-18th centuries.

Spoiler: Important Natural Harbor

Most important Centers of Trade in 16-18th century Caribbean:

• Havana
• Kingston
• Cap-Francais
• Curacao

Also Martinique and maybe even Barbados, St. Martin (Sint Eustatius) & St. Thomas in Lesser Antilles, but those probably would be too many to add.

Hispaniola

Important Natural Harbor modifier should be removed from Santo Domingo and added to Cap-Francais province in Hispaniola since:

• Commercial importance of Santo Domingo in Caribbean region was very short lived - basically just first few decades. Later it functioned mostly as military outpost, main headquarters, but not as commercial center of high importance. Free trade was forbidden by Spain and port was never visited by foreign merchants. Also Santo Domingo was in the middle or pirate activities so even Spanish trade fleets were bypassing area when possible.
• Santo Domingo was main port of very poor colony with nearly non-existent production output for big part of timeframe.
• Santo Domingo is situated on wrong side of Gulf streams which is the fastest route to Europe. Most Spanish trade ships sailing even from Panama or Colombia were rather to choose sailing north around Cuba through Havana than sailing before the current south of Santo Domingo.
• Neither Santo Domingo was Spanish entry port into Caribbean. Entry port was San Juan - first port visited by Spanish fleets sailing from Europe.
• Cap-Francais begins as Tortuga, one of the most famous Pirate Havens in history. Situated next to important Windward Passage it had perfect location for disrupting trade. Pirates were living from trade after all – from forced trade.
• Cap-Francais was main port of wealthiest Caribbean colony – Saint-Domingue, which needed far more shipping than any other colony in Caribbean.
• Cap-Francais was main French commercial port in entire Caribbean and surrounding regions of central & northern America. It was best located French port in transatlantic trade functioning as last stop on the shortest route to Europe.
• Short Cap-Francais overview

Jamaica

I think I can safely claim that Port Royal / Kingston province deserves Important Natural Harbor modifier since:

• Port Royal / Kingston harbor is one of the largest natural harbors in the world and the largest one in Caribbean. Due to its size and depth it could safely accommodate any size of ships and fleets. Shortly after English conquest Port Royal became main headquarters of pirates in Caribbean who engaged in forced trade and were bringing all their plunder to Jamaica.
• Jamaica prospered not only from cultivation of Sugar, but also from its central position in Caribbean. It was at crossroad of trade routes between Caribbean, Spanish Main & Northern America and was used as main stop for most traders.
• Kingston was 2nd largest city in Caribbean thanks to its commercial activities.
• Even today port of Kingston due to its deep harbor and favorable location is 2nd busiest port in entire South-Central America behind only Panama.

Lesser Antilles

There were quite some commercial ports in Lesser Antilles but compared to Greater Antilles those in the end were much smaller and less important.

The only exception could be Martinique since its commercial port of Saint-Pierre served all the French Windward Islands and also Guadeloupe. Nearly all trade was concentrated in Saint-Pierre and ships sailing from France were visiting only this single port most of the time. As result Saint-Pierre became one of the largest cities in Caribbean behind only Havana & Kingston. French Naval base was also located in Martinique, in harbor near Fort-Royal. Natural harbors in Martinique were of exceptional quality compared to other islands of Lesser Antilles.
Trade in French West Indies

No doubt that Barbados was main British Trade Center in Lesser Antilles, especially during 17th century. But difference with Martinique however is that port Bridgetown served only Barbados colony mostly while British Leeward islands were rather competitors for Barbados and not dependencies.

And there is history of Free ports of St. Thomas, Sint Eustatius (St. Martin) and Saint Barthelemy (also sort of St. Martin). But those are very small islands, so maybe some smaller “Free Port” trade modifiers could be invented for those.

Spoiler: Trade Goods

Some general notes about possible Trade Goods in Caribbean:

• It should not be possible for Caribbean provinces to produce Grain at all.
• Livestock should be possible instead. Decent percentage for Savannah / Hills terrain at least as Livestock was no.1 trade commodity of Spanish Caribbean colonies for most of timeframe.
• Chance for Fish should be greatly reduced.
• Small chance for Cocoa should be present.
• Small chance for Salt should be present, maybe in 1-province islands only (Coastline). At least 4 islands had lots of Salt – Turks Islands, St. Martin, Bonaire & Curacao.

As side note about terrain I think it would be far more logical and consistent if Coastline terrain would apply to 1-province small islands only, and had like 50% development penalty instead of 25%. Due to limited space none of small islands in the world developed into something big. And in Caribbean story was the same –initially small islands of Lesser Antilles were preferred for plantations, but as soon as more population (slaves) began to arrive, economic center shifted to bigger islands of Greater Antilles which had far more land to be exploited.

Obviously Historical Trade Goods changed over centuries in Caribbean, but map of Historical Caribbean Trade Goods covering all centuries should be something like this:

View attachment 377566


Hispaniola

East side of Hispaniola was area of first Gold boom in America. Gold mining didn’t last long there and can’t be compared to riches found later in Mexico, but still it had great effects to wealth of Castilian Crown at the time and made Spanish obsessed with Gold leading to all the further Gold search expeditions. First 20-30 years were the most significant years (Golden Age) of East Hispaniola in entire EUIV timeframe and I think it would be a crime not to picture Gold in Hispaniola. Main Gold mining town was Concepcion de la Vega with Gold also found next to Santo Domingo.
For rest of 16-18th centuries main commercial activity of Spanish Hispaniola was herding of cattle.
Tobacco cultivation was introduced to northern Cibao region with main Tobacco area located near Santiago de los Caballeros, and it became 2nd most profitable commercial activity after Livestock.
Sugar cane cultivation began early but was limited to southern shore near Santo Domingo and it never achieved similar status as in most other Caribbean.
Profits from Coffee started to boom in late 18th century, main growing areas were around Azua.

And it should be noted that Spanish colony of Santo Domingo was one of the poorest, least populated and underdeveloped colonies in Caribbean throughout 17-18th centuries.
While French Saint-Domingue was by far the richest colony of 18th century Caribbean. Prior 1790 revolution French Saint-Domingue had approx 1/4 of all Caribbean population, 1/3 of all Caribbean slaves and yielded approx 1/2 of all Caribbean agricultural output since this French colony was far more productive compared to all the other Caribbean colonies.
At the end of 18th century French Saint-Domingue dominated production of Sugar and Coffee, producing 40% and 60% of all World Sugar / Coffee exported to Europe. And it was also major producer of Dye and Cotton. Agricultural output levels of 1790 Saint-Domingue were first matched by Cuba, but only well after 1820.

Cap-Francais & Port-au-Prince were 2 dominant Sugar & Coffee production regions in entire Caribbean.
Les Cayes in the south produced far less, and mainly only Sugar. And Artibonite Valley was main production area of both Dye and Cotton.

Cuba

Livestock products were dominant export commodity of Cuba in 16-17th centuries, but later importance of agricultural products gained similar weight and exports of Cuba became diverse. First came Tobacco revenues. Then Sugar boom in late 18th century and Coffee boom past 1800. Cocoa was grown and domestically consumed since 16th century but as export crop it also emerged only in late 18th century.
Cattles were raised everywhere, but most principal areas were plains of central Cuba - Puerto Principe, Sancti Spiritus, Remedios, Bayamo.
All Tobacco of Cuba was exported through Havana, but it is Guane (modern Pinar del Rio) region where most of Tobacco was grown. Guane is worldwide legendary Tobacco planting area giving birth to finest Cuban cigars later. 2nd in importance and oldest Tobacco growing area in Cuba was south of Remedios.
Earliest and most profitable Sugarcane plantations and mills spread across Havana-Trinidad areas, but from 1800 nearly all central Cuba plains from Havana to Puerto Principe were covered by Sugar plantations.
Coffee spread in many different parts of Cuba initially but it is Sierra Maestra mountains where it reached unprecedented cultivation levels, that is south of Bayamo & Santiago de Cuba regions.
Similarly Baracoa became principal growing area of Cocoa.
And Santiago de Cuba was the only province rich in metals owning El Cobre mine, the oldest Copper mine in New World.

Jamaica

English Jamaica was dominated by sugar plantations. And it also challenged French Saint-Domingue as main supplier of Dye in Caribbean.
Cayman Islands thrived from fishing turtles.

Puerto Rico

First principal commodity of Puerto Rico was Sugar, but from 17th century it was challenged by Livestock & short lived Cocoa trade, and from late 18th century also by Coffee.

Virgin Islands

Virgin Islands were dependent on Sugar plantations, especially St. Croix which was the biggest and most fertile island. British Virgin Islands & at small extent also St. Thomas had considerable number of Cotton plantations.

Leeward & Windward islands

Initially Tobacco & Cotton were main crops in Lesser Antilles, but soon Tobacco cultivation was completely abandoned and gave way to king Sugar. At some point Sugar plantations dominated nearly all Leeward & Windward islands.
The more interesting exceptions were Dominica with focus on Coffee, and Trinidad – main Cocoa planting area in Caribbean.
Cotton & Coffee were main alternatives for Sugar producing islands.

Leeward Antilles

Arid climate made islands largely unsuitable for agriculture, so Salt was main income source for Bonaire, Livestock for Aruba, pearls (Gems) for Margarita.
While Curacao had some plantation history, but agriculture based economy was largely unsuccessful & insignificant – mostly for self-sufficiency only. So most profitable commercial activity of Curacao was trading in Slaves, it was main terminal of Slaves in Caribbean. And in late years Curacao also prospered from Salt trade.

Lucayan Archipelago

Naval Supplies in Bermuda due to famous shipbuilding industry.
Turks Islands were place for gathering Salt and Bahamas tried to profit from Cotton.

Spoiler: Indigenous province names

Just potential options as many provinces there have few options at least, also spelling is different of some names in different sources.
1) Bermuda – Bermuda
2) Bahamas – Bahamas
3) Turks Islands – Caicos
4) Guane – Guaniguanico
5) Havana – Habana
6) Remedios – Sabana
7) Trinidad – Guamuhaya
8) Sancti Spiritus – Ornofay
9) Puerto Principe – Camaguey
10) Baracoa – Baracoa
11) Bayamo – Bayamo
12) Santiago de Cuba – Bayaquitiri
13) Cayman Islands – Cayman
14) St. Elizabeth – Xtabi
15) St. Catherine – Xamayca
16) Kingston – Caguaya
17) Cap-Francais – Marien
18) Artibonite – Guahaba
19) Les Cayes – Guacayarima
20) Port-au-Prince – Jaragua
21) Azua – Maguana (but Azua is also indigenous name)
22) Santo Domingo – Ozama
23) Seibo – Higuey
24) La Vega – Magua
25) Santiago de los Caballeros – Cibao
26) San German – Guainia
27) San Juan – Guaynabo
28) St. Croix – Ay Ay
29) St. Thomas – Aburakeiru
30) St. Martin – Soualiga Oualichi
31) St. Kitts – Liamuiga
32) Antigua – Waladli
33) Guadeloupe – Karukera
34) Dominica – Waitukubuli
35) Martinique – Jouanacaera
36) St. Lucia – Hewanorra
37) St. Vincent – Hairoun
38) Grenada – Camerhogne
39) Barbados – Ichirouganaim
40) Tobago – Aloubaera
41) Trinidad Island – Cairi
42) Margarita – Macanao
43) Bonaire – Bonjaj
44) Curacao – Curacao
45) Aruba – Arubeira
Taino maps

Spoiler: Missions

Missions
Colonization missions can be great tool to make colonization of America far more historical and interesting.
Missions could be a guide for AI which exactly provinces to colonize first while others do not touch at same time for as long as there are desirable provinces to colonize from mission tree available. If AI followed advice and if long and thoughtful mission tree with few different chains for Spain, Portugal, England, France and Netherlands is created, there could be situations when these nations would step into America in the desired manner allowing historical events to trigger and etc.

Forts
If Europa Universalis is about to portray history and historical events, I think it would be great if some mechanics were introduced to make AI build forts in specific provinces in America, and not totally random. This can be easily done with help of events, or maybe there are better ideas than this.
The most fortified Caribbean settlements during 16-18th centuries and provinces of highest strategic value at same time were: Santo Domingo, San Juan, Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Martinique, Cap-Francais, Barbados, Kingston & Curacao.

Spanish missions

1) Found Spanish West Indies

• Objective: Santo Domingo, La Vega, Santiago, Azua, Seibo, San Juan & San German are owned by colonial Caribbean Spain (7 provinces)
• Reward: ??
• Instant outcome: Capital of colonial Spanish Caribbean nation set to Santo Domingo, BASE TAX +1 in Santo Domingo
• Further outcome next years: Measures are taken to make AI build forts in Santo Domingo & San Juan, MANPOWER +1 in each province when forts are built

2) Colonize Cuba

• Objective: All provinces in Cuba are owned by colonial Caribbean Spain (9 provinces)
• Reward: ??
• Instant outcome: Capital moved from Santo Domingo to Havana, BASE TAX +1 in Havana
• Further outcome next years: Measures are taken to make AI build forts in Havana & Santiago de Cuba, MANPOWER +1 in each province when forts are built

Capital switch isn’t historical, but I think gameplay wise it is better to set capital for colonial AI in its most important province.

French missions

1) Found French West Indies

• Objective: Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia & Grenada are owned by colonial Caribbean France (4 provinces)
• Reward: ??
• Instant outcome: Capital of colonial French Caribbean nation set to Martinique, BASE TAX +1 in Martinique
• Further outcome next years: Measures are taken to make AI build fort in Martinique, MANPOWER +1 when fort is built

2) Conquer Haiti

• Objective: Cap-Francais, Artibonite, Port-au-Prince & Les Cayes are owned by colonial Caribbean France (4 provinces)
• Reward: ??
• Instant outcome: Capital moved from Martinique to Cap-Francais, BASE TAX +1 in Cap-Francais
• Further outcome next years: Measures are taken to make AI build fort in Cap-Francais, MANPOWER +1 when fort is built

British missions

1) Found British West Indies

• Objective: Barbados, St. Kitts & Antigua are owned by colonial Caribbean England / Great Britain (3 provinces), possibly could also include Bermuda & Bahamas
• Reward: ??
• Instant outcome: Capital of colonial English Caribbean nation set to Barbados, BASE TAX +1 in Barbados
• Further outcome next years: Measures are taken to make AI build fort in Barbados, MANPOWER +1 when fort is built

2) Conquer Jamaica

• Objective: Kingston, St. Catherine & St. Elizabeth are owned by colonial Caribbean England / Great Britain (3 provinces), possibly could also include Cayman Islands
• Reward: ??
• Instant outcome: Capital moved from Barbados to Kingston, BASE TAX +1 in Kingston
• Further outcome next years: Measures are taken to make AI build fort in Kingston, MANPOWER +1 when fort is built

Dutch missions

1) Found Netherlands Antilles

• Objective: Curacao, Aruba, Bonaire & St. Martin are owned by colonial Caribbean Netherlands (4 provinces)
• Reward: ??
• Instant outcome: Capital of colonial Dutch Caribbean nation set to Curacao, BASE TAX +1 in Curacao
• Further outcome next years: Measures are taken to make AI build fort in Curacao, MANPOWER +1 when fort is built

Danish missions

1) Danish West Indies

• Objective: St. Thomas & St. Croix are owned by colonial Caribbean Denmark (2 provinces)
• Reward: ??
• Instant outcome: Capital of colonial Danish Caribbean nation set to St. Thomas, BASE TAX +1 in St. Thomas

Spoiler: Events

I’ll just portray the most important commercial & development events of Caribbean in the simple way. Just like in mission suggestions again I will be offering some free development for provinces which deserve it most from historical point of view. I don’t know if events should be country related or available for any nation, but I’ll group them in Spanish, French, British, Dutch & Danish events.

Spanish events
1) Hispaniola Gold Mines

• Trigger: La Vega & Santo Domingo are colonies of Spain
• MTTH: very short! 12 months or so.
• Result: La Vega & Santo Domingo produce Gold. Small provincial production modifier in La Vega & Santo Domingo (+1 goods produced).

Can be split into 2 separate events for each province

2) Gold depleted

• Trigger: La Vega & Santo Domingo have “Hispaniola Gold Mines” modifiers.
• MTTH: ~300 months
• Result: Provincial production modifiers removed, Santo Domingo produces Sugar, La Vega produces Livestock.

I went through events with these Gold mines as I think they must be very short lived but also quite significant money boost early on

3) Cobre Mine

• Trigger: Santiago de Cuba is colony of Spain
• Result: Santiago de Cuba produces Copper, PRODUCTION +1 in Santiago de Cuba

First open pit Copper mine in Americas.

4) Treasure Fleets meet in Havana

• Trigger: Colonial Mexico & Colombia of Spain exist (New Spain & New Granada). Veracruz, Panama/Cartagena & Havana are colonies of Spain.
• Result: Center of Trade modifier in Havana. BASE TAX +1, PRODUCTION +1, MANPOWER +1 in Havana.

Havana ideally located next to Gulf streams emerges as last stop for Spanish Treasure Fleets sailing from New Spain & Tierra Firme to Europe.

5) Filipinos in Cuba

• Trigger: Manila is owned by Spain. Guane & Havana are colonies of Spain.
• Result: Guane produces Tobacco. “Cuban Tobacco” provincial production modifier in Guane (+2 goods produced).

Provincial production modifier to represent not only the QUANTITY, but also the QUALITY of Cuban Tobacco.

6) Slavery in Cuba

• Trigger: Independent nation Haiti exists
• Result: Havana PRODUCTION +2. Trinidad, Remedios, Sancti Spiritus, Puerto Principe, Bayamo, Baracoa, Santiago de Cuba, Guane (8 provinces) - PRODUCTION +1. Trade goods can be altered in desired way.

Cuba took over place of French Saint-Domingue as main producer in Caribbean. Many plantation owners of Saint-Domingue fled to Cuba and Cuba became main destination of slaves from Africa in this period.

French events

1) Sugar plantations

• Trigger: Martinique & Guadeloupe are colonies of France. Ivory Coast Trade Node discovered.
• Result: Martinique & Guadeloupe produce Sugar. PRODUCTION +2 in Martinique & Guadeloupe.

2) Pirate Haven

• Trigger: Tortuga (Cap-Francais) is French colony. Enlist Privateers decision enacted by France.
• Result: Center of Trade modifier in Tortuga. BASE TAX +1, PRODUCTION +1, MANPOWER +1 in Tortuga.

3) Slavery in Haiti

• Trigger: Cap-Francais, Artibonite, Port-au-Prince & Les Cayes are French colonies. Cap-Francais has CoT.
• Result: PRODUCTION +2 in Cap-Francais, Port-au-Prince, Les Cayes & Artibonite. Trade goods can be altered in desired way.

4) Pearl of the Antilles

• Trigger: Cap-Francais & Port-au-Prince are colonies of France. “Slavery in Haiti” event has passed.
• Result: Cap-Francais produce Sugar, Port-au-Prince produce Coffee. “Large plantations” provincial production modifiers in Cap-Francais & Port-au-Prince (+5 goods produced).

Plantations around Cap-Francais & Port-au-Prince were the largest, the most expensive and by far the most productive plantations in Caribbean during 2nd half of 18th century.

5) Haitian Revolution

• Trigger: “Large plantations” provincial production modifier in Cap-Francais.
• MTTH: ~600 months
• Result: “Large plantations” modifiers removed from Cap-Francais & Port-au-Prince. Huge Rebel Army rises up in Cap-Francais. Large unrest, separatism in all 4 provinces so that rebellions would continue if first rebel army is suppressed. Independent Haiti nation created if rebels win.

Rebel army should be really huge as big armies sent by French and British couldn’t win it in history.

British events

1) Sugar plantations

• Trigger: Barbados, St. Kitts & Antigua are British colonies. Ivory Coast Trade Node discovered.
• Result: Barbados, St. Kitts & Antigua produce Sugar. PRODUCTION +2 in Barbados, PRODUCTION +1 in St. Kitts & Antigua.

2) Pirate Haven

• Trigger: Port Royal (Kingston) is British colony. Enlist Privateers decision enacted by England / Great Britain.
• Result: Center of Trade modifier in Port Royal. BASE TAX +1, PRODUCTION +1, MANPOWER +1 in Port Royal.

3) Slavery in Jamaica

• Trigger: Kingston, St. Catherine & St. Elizabeth are British colonies. Kingston has CoT.
• Result: PRODUCTION +2 in Kingston, St. Catherine & St. Elizabeth. Trade goods can be altered in desired way.

Dutch events

1) Slave Port

• Trigger: Curacao is colony of Netherlands. Ivory Coast Trade Node discovered.
• Result: Trade Goods in Curacao – Slaves. Center of Trade modifier in Curacao. BASE TAX +1, PRODUCTION +1, MANPOWER +1 in Curacao.

Danish events

1) Sugar plantation

• Trigger: St. Croix is colony of Denmark. Ivory Coast Trade Node discovered.
• Result: St. Croix produces Sugar. PRODUCTION +1 in St. Croix.

And as side note, I think Caribbean colonial nations should be able to raid coasts if Enlist Privateers decision is active.

Hope this can be of some help in future.

I still feel many of these suggestions remain relevant, especially as more provinces are redesigned over the courses of patches. I think there is plenty of room for improvement for the Caribbean, especially in terms of historical accuracy. I believe there there needs to be a full rework of the currently existing Caribbean former colony tags (though all former colonies should be reworked) of Cuba, Haiti, and West Indies. Most of these remain barebones at best, lacking unique ideas, events, or missions, having little purpose in-game than as minor flavor that is suggested to be avoided by most players for more efficent and flavorful tags. This saddens me, as while the history of conflicts between colonizing European nations over their control of the Caribbean during this period is rich and long, the struggle of the colonized people in the Caribbean for their own sovereignty is equally rich and long. It is a waste to leave these tags without content of their own and if the Caribbean region were expanded I feel it would justify the addition of further historically appropriate tags, ideally with their own content to reflect their reality as colonies and exploring what could have been if they had achieved independence during this period, such as Puerto Rico and Jamaica.

I also feel that the Caribbean pirate republics of Port Royal, New Providence, and Tortuga deserve some additional love, especially after the pirate republic rework. Each of these have a rich history worthy of the same attention that was given to the glorious Gotland piracy mission route. Port Royal should have events reflecting the debaucherous nature of the era when pirates held sway over the region, would be cool to also include events for the decline of piracy in Port Royal, when the famed safe haven became a site of death for pirates such as Calico Jack, Charles Vane, and Mary Read. While relevant to perhaps more than just this tag alone, New Providence should receive events, maybe even a disaster based on Great Britain's 1717-1718 Proclamation for Suppressing of Pirates. Would be a great way to explore the conditions that would lead to the death of Edward Teach, the decline of pirate rule on Nassau and the end of the Golden Age of Piracy.

I think the game would generally benefit from more events displaying how relevant the transatlantic triangular trade was within the Caribbean, especially in regards to the population. Would be interesting to somehow find a way to display how the populations would change in the Caribbean thanks to this influence. In Victoria 3 there exists caribeño and afro-caribeño cultures, I feel that adding equivalents as well as events for colonizing nations or a decision for former colonial tags to shift to such cultures would be appropriate. Would be part of the Caribbean culture group of course, distinct in that it would come into existence after the arrival of colonizers.