History of the Caribbean
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The Caribbean before the arrival of Christopher Columbus
At the time of the European discovery of the islands of the Caribbean three major Amerindian indigenous peoples lived on the islands: the Taino in the Greater Antilles and The Bahamas, the Island Caribs and Galibi in the Lesser Antilles and the Ciboney in western Cuba. Trinidad was inhabited by both Carib speaking and Arawak-speaking groups.
The Europeans Arrive
During the first voyage of Christopher Columbus contact was made with the friendly Arawak in the Bahamas, Cuba and the northern coast of Hispaniola. A few returned to Spain with Columbus. Small amounts of gold were found being used as personal ornaments and in objects such as masks and belts. The Spanish then began the process of "island hopping" between the islands, looking for more gold and silver.
Further reading
- Michener, James, A. 1989. Caribbean. Secker & Warburg. London. ISBN 0-436-27971-1 (Some of it is fictionalised - but is mostly based on fact.)
History of Caribbean Nations
- History of Anguilla
- History of Antigua and Barbuda
- History of Aruba -- see Aruba
- History of the Bahamas
- History of Barbados
- History of the British Virgin Islands
- History of the Cayman Islands
- History of Cuba
- History of Dominica
- History of the Dominican Republic
- History of Grenada
- History of Guadeloupe
- History of Haiti
- History of Jamaica
- History of Martinique
- History of Montserrat
- History of the Netherlands Antilles
- History of Puerto Rico
- History of Saint Kitts and Nevis
- History of Saint Lucia
- History of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- History of Trinidad and Tobago
- History of the Turks and Caicos Islands
- History of the U.S. Virgin Islands