The Caribbean islands were first settled by indigenous Amerindian peoples, the Taino (also called Arawak) and the Caribs. In 1492, Christopher Columbus landed in the Caribbean and claimed the region for Spain. The following year, the first Spanish settlements were established in the Caribbean. From the 1620s and 1630s onwards, privateers, pirates and settlers from England, France, Netherlands established colonies and trading posts on the islands neglected by Spain. Over the next two centuries, Europeans set up sugar plantations and brought captive Africans to work on them as slaves. One French possession, Saint-Domingue, became the independent nation of Haiti following a successful slave revolt. Slavery was abolished by the mid-19th century, but other Caribbean territories remained under European rule, with many achieving independence in the later 20th century. Today, the islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique remain overseas departments of France. Saint Barthélemy and Saint Martin are known as French overseas collectivities.

Saint Martin

France’s overseas territory, Saint Martin, has shared an island with the Dutch territory of Sint Maarten since 1648. Nearly every islander makes a living from tourism. In 2017 Hurricane Irma destroyed hundreds of hotels, restaurants and shops when it struck the island, and its tourist industry was badly affected.

​​​​​​​Population 32,125
Area 53 sq km (20 sq miles)
Highest point Pic Paradis 424 m (1391 ft)
Capital Marigot, pop. 5700
Languages English, French, Creole
Religions Christian (Roman Catholic) 33%, other Christian 49.1%, Hindu 5.2%, others 12.7%
Ethnicity African-Caribbean, European, mixed
Currency Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG)

Saint Barthélemy was once grouped with Guadeloupe, but in 2003 its residents voted to become a separate French territory. The islanders, known as “Saint-Barthélemois”, are mostly descended from the island’s first French settlers, but there is also a large Portuguese population. Luxury tourism has brought wealth to Saint Barthélemy, and living standards are high.

​​​​​​​Population 9131
Area 25 sq km (9.7 sq miles)
Highest point Morne du Vitet 286 m (938 ft)
Capital Gustavia, population 2300
Languages French, Creole, English
Religions Christian
Ethnicity mixed, European, African-Caribbean
Currency Euro (EUR)