ANTIGUA & BARBUDA 
ANTIGUA & BARBUDA - HISTORY OF THESE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS
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The first people to live in Antigua and Barbuda were primitive people who probably arrived from South America about 2,000 BC. Between 100 and 1100 AD, the Arawak people settled on the islands; they were a peaceful population that lived on fishing and agriculture. Their religious leader, the shaman, was in contact with the other world and performed religious rites was held in great respect. At that time, the two islands were called Wadadli and Wa’omoni. Between 1200 and 1400 AD their peaceful existence was disturbed by the arrival of the Caribs, a warlike tribe from the Amazon forest, that destroyed the Arawak civilization. They made themselves rules of the entire Eastern Caribbean. Their name derives from the Spanish word caribal, which means cannibal.The modern period for the two islands began with the arrival of the Europeans, who renamed the islands. Although Columbus never landed in Antigua, he named the island in honour of Santa Maria de la Antigua, the Saint he worshipped in Seville. Antigua was later settled by the British. In 1492 Columbus sighted the island of Watling in the Bahamas, pawing the way for the Spanish, English, French and Dutch, who fought for dominion over the islands. Antigua remained under the rule of the English with only a brief takeover by the French in 1666. Edward Warner colonised Antigua for Britain in 1632, whilst Christopher Codrington, an Antiguan planter, acquired all of Barbuda through a lease from the British government. Throughout its years as a colony of Britain, sugar production was the dominant industry. In fact, many of the mills constructed to aid in sugar production can still be seen today across the island. The most popular of these is Betty’s Hope. A sugar plantation owned by Christopher Codrington and named in his daughter’s honour. It is a popular attraction for both locals and tourists alike as it has been preserved and gives a glimpse in what producing sugar so many years ago was like. Another important change in Antigua during the European rule was the introduction of African slaves to work on these sugar plantations. They brought with them their religious beliefs and tradition that would leave lasting marks on the society of both Antigua and Barbuda.
Antigua was also an important colonial naval base, used by the British to repair ships. Its rugged coastline created many bays and coves that its colonizers
used for harbours. An arsenal was built in English Harbour and its most famous commander, Horatio Nelson, is commemorated at the Nelson’s Dockyard.
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used for harbours. An arsenal was built in English Harbour and its most famous commander, Horatio Nelson, is commemorated at the Nelson’s Dockyard. Barbuda was a separate British colony and because of its geography, Barbuda did not become a sugar-growing economy, but was a supplier of labour and resources to the Codrington plantation in Antigua. All slaves were freed on the island between 1834 and 1860. Despite their freedom, the former slaves were increasingly dependent on their former masters for sustenance. This created a financial burden on the Codringtons and consequently, they terminated their lease of the island 35 years early to absolve themselves of the expenses. For the following years until 1898 when it was permanently linked to Antigua, Barbuda was either leased to different persons, annexed to Antigua or under the possession of the Governor of the Leeward Islands. The abolition of slavery and the subsequent introduction of the process of sugar beet refining in Europe led to the decline in sugar cane cultivation.
An important event was in 1914 when the USA reached an agreement with Panama for the opening of the canal, since this time America has had a strong influence on the area. Between the two worlds wars, a new ethnic group arrived on the island: the Syrians and Lebanese who are well integrated with the community.
Antigua and Barbuda was appointed an Associated State of the Commonwealth in 1967. The national flag was elaborately designed for this occasion. The sun depicts the dawn of a new era; the red symbolises the people's dynamism; the black belongs to the island soil and African heritage; while gold, white and blue are the colour of the sun, sand and sea.
In 1981, thanks to the charismatic leader who was also the Prime Minister, Sir V.C. Bird, Antigua obtained the Independence from Britain. Queen Elizabeth II remains the Head of the State for this constitutional monarchy, and is represented by a Governor General. A democratic state with regular election every five years was created, and the economy of Antigua and Barbuda shifted from sugar production economy to a tourism economy, attracting many visitors. Today Antigua and Barbuda are part of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, which promote economic cooperation and trade.