The Island Of The Eastern Caribbean
This is a map showing the islands present in the eastern Caribbean which includes both Windward and Leeward
Islands.
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Countries of the Eastern Caribbean
The eastern Caribbean has Nine countries.
Anguilla
Capital: The Valley Population: approximately 13,500 (2006 estimate).
Antigua & Barbuda
Capital: St. Johns Population: 82,000
Dominica
Capital: Roseau Population: 72,500
St. Kitts and Nevis
Capital: Basseterre Population: 40,131
Guadeloupe Capital: Basse-Terre
Population: 405,500
British Virgin Islands
Capital: Road Town Population: 22,016
Montserrat Capital: Plymouth Population:
4,488
St. Bart’s
Capital: Gustavia Population: 8,450
St. Martin Capital: Phillipsburg
Population: 72,892
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About The Eastern Caribbean
The Islands of the Caribbean were settled for over 4,000 years (estimate) before European arrival in 1492. The
Eastern Caribbean islands were dominated by two main cultural groups, the Arawaks and the Kalinago, or Caribs.
Individual villages of other distinct cultural groups were also present on the more southerly, larger islands. The
large island of Trinidad in particular was shared by both Kalinago and Arawak groups.
Archaeological evidence suggests the Arawaks arrived first, settling the islands as they travelled north from
the Orinoco River in Venezuela. The Kalinago, which proved to be more dominant in warfare, had begun a campaign of
conquering and displacement of the Arawaks at the point of European arrival. Also starting at the South of the
archipelago, they had worked their way up North, reaching as far as the island of Saint Kitts by the 16th century.
The following lists the indigenous names for the islands of the Eastern Caribbean. The islands North of the Saint
Kitts 'borderline' have their Arawak names, the islands South have their Kalinago names. The island of Barbados was
uninhabited at the point of European arrival, but evidence suggests they followed the same pattern of displacement
as witnessed on neighbouring islands, but was abandoned for unknown reasons. The only indigenous name on record is
one documented as the name used by Arawak peoples on Trinidad in reference to it.
HISTORY
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The history of the Caribbean reveals the significant role the region played in the colonial
struggles of the European powers since the fifteenth century. In the twentieth century the
Caribbean was again important during World War II, in the decolonization wave in the post-war
period, and in the tension between Communist Cuba and the United States (US). Genocide, slavery,
immigration and rivalry between world powers have given Caribbean history an impact
disproportionate to the size of this small region.
The islands of the Eastern
Caribbean are closer to the United States, and because of this
it's one of the most popular routes for cruise ships in the Caribbean. Four and five night
cruises visit Bahamas, St.Martin and other island, the cruise company will add longer
cruises to other islands from other areas of the Caribbean. If you haven't cruised
before, a short cruise through the eastern Caribbean might be the best to give you a feel for
shipboard life.
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Other Eastern carribean islands Links
Anguilla | Antigua and Barbuda | British Virgin Islands (BVI) | Dominica | Guadeloupe |
Montserrat | St. Barts | St.
Croix (USVI) | St. Kitts & Nevis | St. Maarten/St. Martin
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