The west indies

The west IndiesThe west IndiesThe west IndiesThe west Indies

The west IndiesThe west Indies

West indies fact fileTotal land area : 10,033,140 sq km

(over 7,0000 islands)Total population : 37.5 milionEthnic groups : Africans

Native AmericansEuropeansAsians

Largest cities (English speaking) :Kingston (Jamaica)Port of Spain (Trinidad)

Government : Sovereign states and Dependent territories.Climate : Mainly warm and sunny all year roundCurrency : Various

• The west indies are part of the region called the Caribbean they are called the west indies because when Christopher landed there in 1492, he thought he had reached the indies (in Asia)

• The population increased as slaved from West A Africa and military prisoners and captured slaves from Ireland, who were deported in the Cromwell an reign in England. After the end of the slave trade, the population increased naturally.

• The larges English-speaking Island is Jamaica.

• In 1655, Jamaica, Spanish colony, was taken by the British and became notorious as a base for piracy. The unofficial capital, Port Royal, was the biggest port in the English colonies at that time, populated by pirates, slave traders, runaway slave and criminals. The west IndiesThe west Indies

Flag of the West Flag of the West Indies FederationIndies Federation


WELCOME TO PORT ROYALOnce called ‘the richest and wickedest city in the

world’, Port Royalwas also the virtual capital of Jamaica. To it came

men of all races,treasures of skills, doubloons and gold from

Spanish ships looted on thehigh seas by the notorious ‘Brethren of the Coast’

as the pirates werecalled. From here sailed the fleets of Henry

Morgan, later lieutenant-general of Jamaica, for the sacking of Camaguey,

Maracaibo andPanama, and died here despite the ministrations

o his Jamaica folk doctor.Admirals Lord Nelson and Ben bow, the chilling

Edward ‘Black beard’Teach were among its inhabitants. The town

flourished for 32years until at 20 minutes to noon, June 7, 1692, it was

partially buried in thesea by an earthquake.

Jamaica National Heritage Trust signJamaica National Heritage Trust sign


MONTEGO BAYMONTEGO BAY

Walking ToursWalking Tours

Begin your at Sam Sharpe Square, named after the slave who led the Christmas Rebellion of 1831. In the 18th

century, Jamaica was the largest producer of sugar in the world and British plantation owners imported 700,000 slaves from West Africa. Although the slave trade was officially abolished by the British government in 1807, Jamaican plantation owners refused to give up their slave. Sam Sharpe was an educated slave and a Baptist preacher who lived in Montego Bay.

A British plantation owner (19A British plantation owner (19thth C) C)

By reading newspapers, he learned about the abolition movement and he spread the word among his fellow slaves. He organized a peaceful strike for the 28th

December, just after the Christmas holiday, when he knew that the sugar cane was ready and needed to be cut quickly, but the other slaves grew violent and the government sent soldiers to end the rebellion. 300 slaves were executed for their part in the protest, including Sam Sharpe, who was hanged in this square in 1832.

Take a look at ‘The Cage’ in the northwest corner of the square – prison built in 1806 for runaway slaves and drunken British sailors. Its bell was rung at 2pm every afternoon to warn slaves from the country that they had an hour in which to leave town.

West Indies Government

Most of the English-speaking islands have a system of government based on UK (Westminster style) – Parliamentary democracy with some begin also begin Constitutional monarchies. Most are independent states with Bermuda beginning the largest and oldest British Overseas Territory (certain elements of government are controlled by the UK).

West Indies economy The Caribbean nations are not rich in natural resources. Most of

the resources are used for domestic and regional purposes and include fisheries, bauxite (used for making aluminum), iron, timber and petroleum. The most important resource is the tropical island sitting, which generate a unique tourism sector.

The Island now depends on tourism for their economy. Tourism has benefited farmers, fishermen and merchants because they must grow and more goods to feed the large number of visitor.

The leading Caribbean export comes from Trinidad & Tobago, which possesses substantial petroleum reserves, and is regarded as the richest in terms of natural resources.

Agricultural products are the major economic land-use activity and provide employment. However, they are becoming less becoming less important to the local economy. Sugar and bananas were the mainstay of the local economies, but small countries they were unable to maintain the economies of scale needed in a globalised world.

The citrus industry (oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, limes) continues to do well.

Way of life

The Caribbean lifestyle is undoubtedly a product of its tropical setting. The music, architecture, attitudes and customs have all, in some way, been shaped by the physical landscapes and climate. The cultures of the Caribbean countries are a blend of colonial and influences by major ethnic groups of the region such as East Indians and African.

Barbados, a former British colony, retains enough British traditions to be called 'Little England'. Antigua, while offering a more laid-back attitude, still observes old British

On the other hand, Jamaica retains few of the colonial customs, relies heavily on precolonial heritage and is passionately self-sufficient.

British style buildings in Barbados,British style buildings in Barbados,from colonial days from colonial days

Music has been central to Caribbean culture since the days of slavery, when it was a mode of mental survival and form of recreation. Today, music is everywhere; it plays on city streets, in native's homes and at special festivals - at Carnival people dance for days to the music.

Family values are another important aspect of Caribbean way of life. There is a proverb, 'It takes a whole village to raise a child', which symbolises the communal tradition. Respect for elders and learning, are the two main principals of child upbringing.

British style buildings in Barbados,British style buildings in Barbados,from colonial days from colonial days

Trinidad carnivalTrinidad carnival

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