Conversation so far:
when did piracy hit its apex in the caribbean
The late 17th and early 18th centuries are often considered the Golden Age of Piracy in the Caribbean.
why was the late 17th and early 18th centuries considered the golden age of piracy
Pirate ports experienced rapid growth in the areas in and surrounding the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

Question: how many were pirates
Self-contained rewrite: how many were pirates during the golden age of piracy