• Historical map of the Caribbean

    History of the Caribbean

    The history of the islands of the Caribbean archipelago reveals similar trajectories. Migrations often followed the same patterns: populations were replaced or absorbed by new arrivals. The impact of colonization was decisive, as it established the language, culture, and traditions that have endured over the centuries. Today, in a globalized world, Caribbean people are coming closer together while defending the culture and heritage specific to each island.

    27 minutes

Colonization of the Caribbean islands by the European powers

1496: The Spaniards set up facilities on the island of Hispaniola

1508: The Spaniards set up facilities in Puerto Rico

1515: The Spaniards set up facilities in Cuba

1554: The Dutch plunder Santiago in Cuba

1555: The French plunder Havana

1586: Santo Domingo is returned to the British

1595: British capture San Juan

1605: The British drove the Dutch from Saint Lucia, who had arrived around 1600

1625: The British landed in Barbados to colonize the island

1628: The Dutch capture the Spanish silver fleet in Cuba

1634: The Dutch capture Curaçao

1635: The French acquire Martinique and Guadeloupe

1655: British capture Jamaica at Spain's expense

1655: The French occupy half of the island of Hispaniola, which they baptize Haiti

1797: Trinidad is taken from the Spanish by the British after about a century of Spanish possession.