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Historical Background to the book “The Cay”

A novel by Theodore Taylor. Historical Background to the book “The Cay”. The Caribbean. SEA ISLANDS COASTS. A VAST CHAIN OF ISLANDS. 7000 Islands 2500 miles long 160 miles wide. Curacao. In the Southern Caribbean Off the coast of Venezuela Its capital is Willemstad.

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Historical Background to the book “The Cay”

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  1. A novel by Theodore Taylor Historical Background to the book “The Cay”

  2. The Caribbean SEA ISLANDS COASTS

  3. A VAST CHAIN OF ISLANDS 7000 Islands 2500 miles long 160 miles wide

  4. Curacao In the Southern Caribbean Off the coast of Venezuela Its capital is Willemstad

  5. THE ORIGINAL INHABITANTS The Arawak Amerindians.

  6. Arawak words that became English Some Arawak words still commonly used today are: barbacoa (barbecue) hamaca (hammock) canoa (canoe) tabaco (tobacco) yuca (yucca) huracan (hurricane)

  7. The Europeans are coming! The first Europeans to see the island were a Spanish expedition in 1499.

  8. Indentured Servitude The Spaniards exported most of the indigenous population to other colonies where workers were needed.

  9. Extinction of a People The Arawak Amerindians were wiped out by Spanish diseases such as smallpox and measles.

  10. Willemstad, Curacao The island was occupied by the Dutch in 1634.

  11. Schottegat; St. Anna Bay TheDutch West India Company founded the capital of Willemstad on the banks of an inlet called the 'Schottegat'.

  12. Fort Amsterdam Many Caribbean islands were colonies of European nations.

  13. A Perfect Harbor for Trade Willemstad proved quickly to be an ideal spot for trade. Commerce and shipping -- but also piracy-

  14. The Slave Trade The Dutch West India Company made Curaçao a center for slave trade in 1662.

  15. Lake Maracaibo Oil was discovered here in 1914.

  16. Oil Royal Dutch Shell & the Dutch Government built an extensive oil refinery installation, ironically on the former site of the slave-trade market at Asiento.

  17. ATTACK ON THE LAGO REFINERY

  18. Strategic Importance Produced aviation gasoline for the Americans and British during WWII.

  19. But… Three tankers were torpedoed.

  20. Pontjesbrug, Willemstad

  21. Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge

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