They have kept their own cultural identity and language. In 1852, Great Britain won and established control over the Bay Islands, but they were returned to Honduras in 1859. Today, the main activities of the Islands are raising bananas, cassava, coconuts, sweet potatoes, and livestock. Another activity that takes place there is fishing. Shrimp is an especially desired commodity because it is used to trade for goods from other countries.
Many different cultures live on the Bay Islands now, also.
Up until the late 20th century, English-speaking Protestants inhabited the Islands. Then Spanish-speaking Hondurans from the mainland began to move there in large groups. A census taken in 1988 showed that 21,553 people lived on the Bay Islands. All of these people brought changes to the Islands. Since the population increase occurred, the once natural beaches and hillsides are now construction sites of the housing projects for new settlers.