Final answer:
The second most populous island in the Caribbean after Hispaniola is Cuba. While Cuba has the largest size and significant population, Jamaica also has a notable population but is physically smaller than Cuba.
Step-by-step explanation:
The island that is the second most populous in the Caribbean after Hispaniola is Cuba. While Hispaniola, which consists of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, is the most populous, Cuba comes next with a significant population and historical influence in the Caribbean region. The tropical island of Jamaica follows Cuba in terms of population size. However, Jamaica is physically smaller and has a smaller population compared to Cuba. Cuba's rich history includes being a former colony that transitioned to plantation agriculture and underwent a socialist revolution. As the largest island in the Greater Antilles, it has a varied geography including mountains, fertile valleys, and pristine waters surrounding the island that attract tourists. Jamaica, too, has a history colored by colonization and the establishment of a plantation economy dominated by sugar, cocoa, and coffee crops.