History

Jolly Harbour & Antigua History villa rental estate Jolly Harbour marina Area: Antigua, 108 sq miles (280 sq km); Barbuda, 62 sq miles (161 sq km) Population: 66,000 Capital city: St John's Language: English and English-based patois Religion: Anglican Church (about 50%), Roman Catholic, Moravian Government: Constitutional monarchy within the British Commonwealth Economy: Tourism, agriculture, fishing and light manufacturing. The Siboney people are the first known tribe to have inhabited the island. Evidence of their existence dates back to 1775 B.C. They relied on natural resources for food supply and their tools were primarily made from stone and shells. The Arawaks were the next known tribe to call this island home. The Arawaks were recognized for introducing agriculture on the island. Such irresistible crops that the island began to offer were pineapples, peppers, tobacco and cotton. Inhabiting mostly the North and East sides of the island, the Arawaks were masters of fishing, their main food supply. The Caribs drove the majority of Arawaks out in 1100 A.D. In 1493 A.D. Columbus sailed past this unnamed island. He took the liberty of naming the island after a cathedral located in Seville, Spain, ‘Santa Maria La Antigua’. English Settlers arrived in 1632 A.D. followed by the French in 1666 A.D. establishing Antigua as a multi-cultural landmark. Sugar, the main crop by 1674 A.D.,was introduced by Christopher Codrington.Using the most advanced sugar technology, the crops’ success was inevitable. During the mid 1700’s, the beginnings of the Dockyard were under way. England’s sea power was at stake and Antigua offered numerous resources to assist in the wealth and power of its inhabitors.The Dockyard was deemed closed in 1889 and was ultimately taken over by the National Parks Authority as a historic monument.