Martinique - Martinique - People: The original Carib Indian population disappeared after Europeans arrived, partly as a result of disease, conflicts with the Europeans, and assimilation. In 1658 French settlers on the island numbered about 5,000. Slaves brought from Africa added a further ethnic component. Today people of mixed European and African ancestry account for more than nine-tenths of the population, but the island’s economy is largely controlled by the small proportion of people of European descent. A small fraction of the population is descended from labourers brought from the Indian subcontinent. A creole similar to that spoken in Haiti is commonly heard, but French
Excitement over wooden shipwreck found in Antigua s seabed – Repeating Islands repeatingislands.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from repeatingislands.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
BBC News
By Gemma Handy
image copyrightJean-Sébastien Guibert
image captionThe boat s timber frame will be analysed to gauge where and when the wood was cut It s the best thing I ve found in 31 years of diving, says Maurice Belgrave, pointing to the spot where a centuries-old shipwreck lay hidden under the water for more than 200 years.
Here at the Antigua Naval Dockyard, historic anchors, cannons and capstans are on bountiful display, testimony to the pivotal role it played as a safe harbour for Royal Navy warships protecting Britain s valuable sugar-producing islands.
The murky waters around it, however, conceal a wealth of secrets.
Shipwreck found 8ft underwater in Antigua may be 18th-century naval ship used in Revolutionary War dailymail.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailymail.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.