Antigua and Barbuda (History)

Numerous pre sites give of settlement Arawak Indians from around 1st century A.D.

Carib abandoned Antigua the 16th century, due lack of water.

Christopher sighted the island 1493, naming it a church Seville, Santa Maria de la Antigua.

unsuccessful attempts colonisation the Spaniards French, Antigua was colonised Sir Thomas Warner 1623 and formally a British in 1667.

Sugar tobacco as chief crop and led the importation slaves Africa to work the highly profitable . Slaves emancipated 1834.

As only Caribbean island British rule possess good harbour, Antigua was the dockyard the British West , used by Royal Navy 1725-1854.

The dockyard restored in 1950s as historical .

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Source: The Commonwealth Yearbook 1996
Many thanks to Mr Peter Emmett (peter.emmett@hcooke.co.uk) for allowing us to use excerpts from the Commonwealth Yearbook.
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