The Caribbean, situated in the Americas, encompasses the Caribbean Sea, its surrounding coasts, and the numerous islands dotting the sea. Positioned southeast of Northern America, east of Central America, and to the north and west of South America, this region is predominantly located on the Caribbean Plate. Comprising over 7,000 islands, islets, reefs, and cays, the area is divided into the Greater Antilles, which borders the sea to the north, and the Lesser Antilles, including the Leeward Antilles, to the south and east. The Bahamas and Bermuda, although further north in the Atlantic Ocean, are also considered part of the West Indies. Geopolitically, the West Indies are often categorized as a subregion of North America and consist of 28 territories, incorporating sovereign states, overseas departments, and dependencies. Historically, there was a brief existence of the Federation of the West Indies, comprising ten English-speaking Caribbean territories. Spanning 2,500 miles in length and no more than 160 miles in width at any given point, the Caribbean islands form an island chain enclosing the Caribbean Sea.