Caribbean History
Caribbean history is rich and diverse on the islands, the original peoples of the Caribbean islands were Indians called the Arawaks, with the sub groups of Taino and Siboney. The Arawaks in the Greater Antilles were quickly destroyed by European settlers, although a few Arubans and Margaritans got along with the white invaders, and their mixed blood descendents still survive.
The native Caribs of the Lesser Antilles survived a little longer, particularly on St Vincent, where they mixed with black incomers to produce ‘Black Caribs'. Many of these folk were deported to Central America in the 1790's. Apart from the occasional islander with ‘Mestizo' blood, most of the Caribbean's current inhabitants are the descendants of incomers. These were Europeans from Britain, France, the Netherlands, and Spain during the colonial period, along with millions of Africans brought forcibly from their homelands. When slavery was abolished the black slaves were replaced by Indian llabourers and, to a lesser extent, workers from China and Lebanon.
Travel map of the Caribbean Islands, Leeward and Windward Islands including adjacent areas of North, Central and South America
Featuring:
- Illustrated biographies of explorers and other notable people
- Historical time line
- Colour Photos and text on the wildlife
- Details of many visitor sites
- General information about the islands
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Cuba
Cuba is the largest and most populous of the Caribbean Islands. It is mostly flat, with mountains in the east and sout-east. Sugar production is the most important industry. Discovered by Christopher Columbus, it became a Spanish colony in 1512, and has a colourful history of revolutions, mysterious explosions, missile crises and wars.
Havana is the country's cultural and economic capital, and is an important city in the Caribbean, despite a US trade embargo. Visitors to the city will see narrow, winding Spanish style streets, a 16th century fort, elegant squares and an 18th century cathedral with a sumptuous interior. Contrasting this is central Havana, full of museums, parks and theatres.
Jamaica
Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean and offers a wide range of natural attractions from mountain ranges to rushing rivers, sparkling beaches, rainforests and mangrove swamps. The name comes from the Arawak Indian ‘Chamaka' meaning well-watered. The Capitol Kingston has a university, a Catholic archbishop, an attractive old town and busy commercial centre. The Blue Mountains that reach 7,402 feet are one of the country's highlights, with earthquakes and hot springs reminding visitors that the area is still geologically active. Montego Bay is the country's second biggest city and is a popular resort area and comprises a charming old town surrounded by a woodland hills and a coral Reef.
Martinique
Martinique is probably the most French of all the Caribbean islands, its name is said to derive from the Carib word meaning ‘Mandinina' or ‘ Mandinia' which means ‘Island of Flowers'. It has a great wealth of botanical riches, including mangrove swamps, palm groves and plantations of mahogany, tree ferns, coconuts and bamboo. The Island is Volcanic and its first capital St Pierre, was completely destroyed when Mount Pelee erupted in 1902. Only one person survived, and his good fortune was due to the sturdy walls of the prison he was incarcerated in at the time! The new capital of Fort-de-France is a deep water port and has been compared to the French Quarter of New Orleans.
