History of Antigua and Barbuda
The name Antigua was Columbus’ idea: inspired by Santa Maria de la Antigua of Seville. He named the island whilst sailing straight past it in 1493. If he’d come ashore he’d have discovered an island that had been inhabited for over 3,000 years. First by pre-agricultural Amerindians then by the pastoral Arawaks and finally by the Caribs, who give the region its name.
It wasn’t until 1632 that European settlement began, with 1684 the pivotal year in the nation’s history. That’s when Sir Christopher Codrington arrived and brought with him the era of sugarcane.
Within 60 years there were more than 150 plantations across the island each served by towering windmills to process the sugar. By the start of the 19th Century Antigua had become an important strategic port. As such the British made sure it was well protected. In 1784 Nelson arrived to develop the naval facilities at English Harbour, Nelson’s Dockyard.
During the reign of King William IV, Britain abolished slavery in the Empire. Antigua enacted the abolition immediately on August 1st 1834.
The nation of Antigua and Barbuda achieved full independent status in 1981.
Today while sugar canes still dot the countryside, tourism is the heart of the island’s economy.
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