Bermuda & Caribbean
St. John's, Antigua
When Columbus discovered Antigua in 1493, he encountered the unfriendly Carib Indians. Columbus named the island Santa Maria de Antigua, in honor of a church in Spain. For many years, both the Spanish and French were unable to settle on the island due to the fierce nature of the Caribs. But in 1632, the British took control of this island, developing the sugarcane industry with the use of slaves imported from Africa. In 1981 Antigua was granted independence anb became a British commonwealth.