The history of the Caribbean region is similar to the sea that washes its shores. At first glance, the sea seems to be a range of colours from turquoise to royal blue, but a closer look shows the water actually has no colour at all.
Caribbean history is just as complex.
The Europeans arrive Behind the early voyages of exploration was the desire by Spanish financiers to find new sources of wealth. These new sources would compensate for the loss in revenue from traditional Mediterranean routes to the East which were disrupted by the Turks, the Crusaders and the domination of that area by Venice and Genoa. The Caribbean at that time was populated by Arawak or Taino people, the Caribs , and in parts of Cuba, the Ciboney . Seeing the aboriginal peoples adorned in gold jewellery, Columbus and the Spaniards who followed him, pushed further south into the region seeking precious metals and taking land already inhabited by the native peoples.