The Caribbean Sea is located between Mexico and Central America to the west and south west, the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic), Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Cayman Islands) to the north starting with Cuba, the Lesser Antilles ( US and UK Virgin Islands, Anguilla, St. Martin/St. Maarten, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Barts, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Trinidad & Tobago) to the east and the north coast of South America to the south. The entire area of the Caribbean Sea, the numerous islands of the West Indies, and adjacent coasts, are collectively known as the Caribbean also known as the West Indies (because of Columbus). The Atlantic Ocean hits the Caribbean Sea between the Lesser Antilles and Virgin Islands and between Cuba and Haiti.