ABSTRACT
The small sovereign states of the east Caribbean are intermingled with American, British, Dutch and French islands. Guadeloupe (with St Barthélemy and part of St Martin) and Martinique are French overseas départements; so is French Guiana (Guyane) on the mainland. Surinam (ex-Dutch Guiana) became independent in 1975. All the Dutch islands, except Aruba, form the self-governing Netherlands Antilles, with its capital at Willemstad on Curaçao. Aruba broke away in 1986, aiming to become independent by 1996; but in 1990 it abandoned that aim.
