The soils in the Caribbean Region are extremely variable and complex. Tropepts and Humults are the principal soils in the mountainous areas, and Udults and Orthox are dominant on coastal plains. The poorly drained Aquepts, Aquolls, and Aquents are common on flood plains, and Ustolls and Udolls are on the better drained sites. Rendolls and Udalfs occur in areas of limestone karst. Principal limiting characteristics of the soils in this region are shallowness to bedrock and steepness of slope.
Forest is the climax vegetation.
The importance of sugarcane, once the main cash crop, has declined because many sugar mills have been closed because of inefficiency and high labor costs. Coffee grown under shade was once a prosperous enterprise, but hurricanes and labor problems have contributed to its decline. Pasture of native and improved grasses grown for dairy and beef enterprises is the main land use. Woodland, mostly unimproved, is widespread, especially on the humid uplands. Such food crops as plantains, bananas, yams, taniers, vegetables, and some citrus fruit and coconuts are grown.