Languages of the Caribbean

The Amerindians populated the Caribbean Islands before the Europeans arrived in 1492. These Indigenous populations included the Taino, Kalinago, Ciguayo, Macoris, and Guanahatabey, among others. Figure 5.18 illustrates some of the languages spoken during pre-Colombian times.

The Taino were the first indigenous group Columbus encountered when he landed in the Bahamas. Like Mexico and Central America, some Indigenous people remain in places like the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and the Leeward Islands. The Indigenous peoples of the Caribbean likely traveled there from northern South America.

The Amerindians populated the Caribbean Islands before the Europeans arrived in 1492. These indigenous populations included the Taino, Kalinago, Ciguayo, Macoris, and Guanahatabey, among others.

Figure 5.18 illustrates some of the languages spoken during pre-Colombian times. The Taino were the first indigenous group Columbus encountered when he landed in the Bahamas. Like Mexico and Central America, some Indigenous people remain in places like the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and the Leeward Islands. The Indigenous peoples of the Caribbean likely traveled there from northern South America.