U.S. Virgin Islands
Introduction: The United States Virgin Islands, officially the Virgin Islands of the United States, is a group of islands in […]
caribbean
Puerto Rico – The Island of Enchantment
Juan de Mata Terreforte, an exiled veteran of “El Grito de Lares” and Vice-President of the Cuban Revolutionary Committee, in New York City, adopted the flag of Lares as the flag of Puerto Rico until 1895, when the current design, modeled after the Cuban flag, was unveiled and adopted by the 59 Puerto Rican exiles of the Cuban Revolutionary committee. The new flag, which consisted of five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large, white, five-pointed star in the center, was first flown in Puerto Rico on March 24, 1897, during the “Intentona de Yauco” revolt. The use and display of the Puerto Rican flag was outlawed and the only flags permitted to be flown in Puerto Rico were the Spanish flag (1492 to 1898) and the flag of the United States (1898 to 1952).
Half An Island – Saint Martin
Interestingly, Saint Martin is the only island thus divided by two colonial powers. Cyprus remains divided but one half of the island is operated as an independent nation. The French and British jointly administered the New Hebrides Islands, now the independent nation of Vanuatu, but there was no boundary line on any island or area, instead the entire island group was jointly, if confusingly, administered by both nations. Saint Martin stands unique in terms of being an island divided into separate overseas territories of European powers.
Hideaway for the Rich and Famous – St. Barthélemy
As happened frequently among the Caribbean islands of France, the British took over briefly in 1758. The French in turn gave Saint Barthélemy to Sweden in exchange for French trading rights in Gothenburg. With this transfer the island’s fortunes changed for the better. The Swedes ushered in a time of progress and prosperity as the Swedes declared Gustavia a free port, which made it a favored port for the trading of European goods, including contraband items.
Hideaway for the Rich and Famous – St. Barthélemy Read More »
Today’s Flag – Martinique
The unofficial flag of Martinique has a rich and long history. The flag first appeared in August of 1766. The flag was required on French vessels originating in Martinique and resembles some of the military insignia of France. The snakes depict the highly venomous fer-de-lance snake which is native to Martinique.
Today’s Flag – Guadeloupe
Originally Guadeloupe was inhabited by the relatively peaceful Arawak peoples from about 300 CE and by the 8th century the more hostile and warlike Caribs had taken over. They remained isolated an in undisputed control until their discovery by Columbus, on his second voyage, in November 1493. He gave the island the name that it carries to this day. It is also said that Columbus first saw a pineapple on Guadeloupe even though they had been grown in South America for centuries, but of course, Columbus never found the South American mainland.