Arawak Indians first inhabited these islands
around 100 BC, migrating from South America. The Carib tribe
arrived from South America in the mid-15th century, and forced
the Arawaks out. A few decades later, Columbus landed on the
islands, and gave them the names that remain today. Later
settled by the Dutch in 1648, the English annexed Tortola
in 1672 and Virgin Gorda in 1680.