British Virgin Islands - History
Archaeological evidence exists of inhabitants living in the British Virgin Islands as early as 1000 BC. After that, the timeline of settlers includes “Saladoid” Amerindians from 500-250 BC followed by Arawak and Carib Indians from 500-1000 AD. Arawaks were basically farmers growing food mainly for their own needs. Caribs reached most of the islands in the Antilles and chased away or killed the more peaceful Arawaks [the Indians were exterminated by Spaniards throughout the 16th century].
Columbus came upon the entire string of Virgin Islands on his second voyage to the New World, in 1493. Seeing so many isles and cays, he named them after the 11,000 virgin followers of Saint Ursula, who was martyred in the fourth century. The Spanish did not dawdle with the chain, however; since they were unable to find gold there, they quickly sailed on to richer lands.
Pirates soon thereafter figured out a way to become rich off the numerous tiny islands. The many hidden coves along with shallow waters and complex reef systems provided the perfect spot to ravage passing ships carrying riches from the New World back to Europe. The islands became a favored hangout of famous scoundrels such as Blackbeard, Bluebeard and Sir Francis Drake.
During the 17th century, both the Dutch and the British developed an interest in the Virgin Islands. The British established control and remained in power there for almost three centuries. They cultivated a profitable sugar industry with sprawling plantations and imported African slaves.
In 1834, the emancipation of slaves in the West Indies along with a severe hurricane put paid to the plantations in the British Virgin Islands. With the abolishment of slavery in 1838, however, came the demise of the plantation economy; as a result, many European settlers returned home. By the middle of the 19th century the land where the plantations once flourished was sold to former slaves who turned to fishing and farming.
Things remained very quiet on the British Virgin Islands until the 1960s, when Laurance Rockefeller and Charlie Cary essentially started the tourism industry there. Recognizing the tourism potential of the serene islands, Rockefeller developed the Little Dix resort on Virgin Gorda and Cary established a marina complex on Tortola. Thankfully, the islands remain a charming and quiet destination, unspoiled by overdevelopment the likes of which has taken place on the neighboring U.S. Virgin Islands. Building codes stipulate that structures cannot rise higher than the islands' tallest palm trees, hence two stories is the limit.
Also during the 1960s, the British Virgin Islands were given greater autonomy within the British Commonwealth. The islands have their own constitution and a local legislative council which handles island affairs. The governor, who is selected by the Queen, deals in external affairs and island security.
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