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History
Former British Caribbean island.
Arawaks inhabited the islands but they had disappeared by
mid 16th century, presumably after having been taken by Spaniards
as slaves (there is no actual evidence).
The island was difficult to reach by sailing ship because
of the position of the suitable landing places and the prevailing
winds which is probably the reason the Spaniards did not occupy
the island which was colonized by the English in early 1627.
No-one else has ruled it since. It is notable for the Irish influence
on the local speech patterns because Irish people were sent as
slaves.
There were slave-worked sugar plantations. It has been independent
since 1966.
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