St. Lucia a brief history
Amerindian Arawaks were the
first settlers in St. Lucia in 200 A.D. They were superceded by the bellicose Caribs in
800 who obliterated the Arawaks to obtain dominance. St. Lucia at that time was known as
Hewanorra (Island of the Iguanas).
For some time it was
generally believed that the first European to discover St. Lucia was Christopher
Columbus in 1502. But navigation records of the time demonstrated that Columbus
never set foot on the island. More recent research revealed that Juan de la
Cosa, a Spanish navigator who sailed with Columbus may have discovered the island in
1499.
The first settlement of
Europeans on the island was in 1550 pioneered by the privateer Francois le Clerc.
Otherwise known as Jambe de Bois or Peg Leg he settled on Pigeon Island and attacked
any and all Spanish ships laden with treasure.
Today St. Lucia celebrates
its discovery on 13 of December and is so titled Discovery Day.
