Bay Islands - History

The Islands history, which includes many disputes between the Spaniards and the British during colonial times, with the British actually controlling the islands most of time, have given the islands a unique heritage A colourful history evidenced by the highly diverse human population. Although currently a part of Honduras, significant populations of Afro-Antilleans, Afro-Carib ("Garifuna"), Mosquito Indians, Anglo-Antilleans, and Anglo-Europeans live in the Islands. Many Islanders speak Caribbean English and Spanish equally well. Race relations are not always amicable and ethnically homogenous enclaves are common. Relatively wealthy Americans and Europeans and Spanish speaking Hondurans are the most recent arrivals to the Islands. English speaking Bay Islanders are commonly thought to be separatists by the national government. Christopher Columbus is reputed to have landed here on his fourth and last voyage to the "Indies" and actually encountered canoes with Paya Indians. He also mentioned the excellent quality of the fresh water that he found on the Island, saying "he had never tasted sweeter water of better quality"