History of the Caribbean

History The Caribbean Islands were once known as (and sometimes still are) the West Indies. This was because early explorers thought they had reached India. No one knows the real meaning behind the word “Antilles”; however it is French and probably means “land near continents”.

First inhabited by the Carib Indians from South America. Explorer Christopher Columbus (along with his Spanish crew) first took over the Greater Antilles and enslaved the native population. They also imported African slaves. Diseases brought over by the Europeans drove the native population to near extinction.

The Dutch, French, and British followed one another to the region and established a long- term presence. Slave trade was abolished in the early nineteenth century many former slaves stayed, making the Caribbean their own. Tourism began to take over when other sectors of the islands’ economies began to suffer, particularly agriculture.

Getting to and around the Caribbean Airlines Most major airlines fly to the Caribbean Major airports are found in Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic Cruises Most popular mode of transport throughout the Caribbean 3-4 days Bahamas cruise from Florida 7-10 day Western or Eastern Caribbean cruises