Until the seventeenth century, the archipelago was inhabited only temporarily by Miskito Indians coming from the Central American coast. In the late 1620, the first settlements were founded by English puritan who arrived in Bermuda looking for new lands to exploit; this occurred mainly in Old Providence. They started planting and trades of snuff, cane sugar, indigo, cotton and blond, as well as products for local consumption, such as sweet potatoes, beans, fig, orange, cassava, banana, pineapple and banana. They also were devoted to the breeding of pigs and poultry, fisheries and catching turtles.

The company was divided into three groups: the planters, craftspeople and slaves. While increasing the number of slaves, so too did the pirates and smuggling. When the puritanical colony began to soften, the Spanish, to combat the rise in piracy, took Old Providence and threw the majority of men from the islands, some of the slaves settled in San Andres.

The Spanish military occupation lasted from 1641 to 1677. During this time there were disputes between the Spanish and English, which is turn over possession of the islands. Then, Britain and Spain had lost interest and Archipelago was virtually abandoned for nearly a century, a period in which there were only temporary settlements.

The following colonization took place between 1730 and 1853, mainly in San Andres, and came from the Caribbean British Isles, Britain and western Africa. The slaves maintained and cotton plantations was the main export product. During this period there were also disputes between the Spanish and British crowns. In 1834 it was abolished slavery in the islands and the slaves received land.

In 1853, after many social and economic changes, was completely abolished slavery in Colombia. Started on coconut cultivation in the islands, which shifted to cotton as the main product, and the United States were the major buyers of this product. New immigrants were attracted to the islands: other Caribbean slaves, as well as Chinese and Colombians in the continent.

The beginning of the twentieth century shows the booming trade of coconut in San Andres. Up to three cents for each unit. Now living in San Andres at least a dozen Americans engaged in this trade, and craft Yankees monopoly purchase. The language, customs, sports, currency, newspapers Americans were introduced by the close ties with the United States. Gradually this was waning. Towards 1932 Multiple factors determined the passage of the islands to second place in trade of coconut. Researchers note that authorized the opening of the Panama Canal, the gold rush in California and the licensing trade in other ports along with a plant disease, hurricanes and pest reduced production, which forced them to be replaced by others economic activities essential to the survival of native and fall in the population of the islands.

Traditions

One of the best preserved traditions of the Raizales islanders is religion. Most of them profess Baptist faith , and there are many Adventists, Catholics and the Christian Mission.

Religion is very important to them, while on Saturdays (for Adventists) and Sunday (for Baptists, Catholics and the Christian Mission) are the most special day of the week. The cults are in English. The chorus, usually consisting of women and accompanied by the music of an organ, hymns interpreted very senses. The pastors and priests native people are very influential in the island society.

The native language is Creole english (English Creole), which is a mixture of English and some African languages. Although no grammar, there is an initiative to give, with the advice of linguists and other specialists natives. The standard English is also spoken by the islanders, and the archipelago is the only place in the country where English is the official language.

To do the dishes of delicious and varied cuisine traditionally used many of the resources that exist in the islands: coconut, fish, crab, lobster, shell and bread fruit (fruit of the tree of bread or 'breadfruit'). This includes simple plates and dishes strong, soups, stews, rice, various kinds of tea and irresistible desserts.

On Sundays and holidays, at the side of the bypass road, are located in the tables that can be purchased delights of the typical local cuisine, from crab empanadas until desserts. No visitor can leave the island without proving at least one rich pattie (pie) or a delicious lemon pie (foot lemon).