A Short History of Costa Rica

By Tim Lambert Early Costa Rica At the beginning of the 16th century, the indigenous people of Costa Rica were divided into tribes of farmers. They had created a sophisticated society. However, on 18 September 1502, Christopher Columbus sighted Costa Rica. In the mid 16th century the Spanish gradually conquered Costa Rica. However, it lacked… Continue reading A Short History of Costa Rica

A Timeline of Croatia

By Tim Lambert 390 BC The Greeks found colonies along the coast of Croatia 229 BC The Romans begin to gain control of Croatia 12 AD The Romans are in control of all of Croatia 5th Century AD Roman rule in Croatia collapses in Croatia 8th Century Croats settle all over Croatia 9th Century Croatia is converted to Christianity. Towns and… Continue reading A Timeline of Croatia

The Babylonians

By Tim Lambert The area that is now Iraq was once divided into city-states. One of them was called Babillu. (It was known to the Greeks as Babylon). For centuries Babylon was an unimportant city. However, under the famous leader, Hammurabi (C. 1792 BC-1750 BC) Babylon rose to greatness. However, after his death, it declined… Continue reading The Babylonians

A Short History of Honduras

By Tim Lambert Early Honduras For thousands of years, indigenous peoples lived in Honduras. The greatest of them was the Mayans. However, the first European to reach Honduras was Christopher Columbus on 30 July 1502. Columbus later sailed as far south as Panama. The area became known as Honduras from the Spanish word for depths.… Continue reading A Short History of Honduras

A Short History of Haiti

By Tim Lambert Colonial Haiti Haiti forms part of the island of Hispaniola. Before the Europeans arrived a people called the Arawaks lived there. However, on 6 December 1492, Christopher Columbus landed at Mole Saint-Nicolas on the northwest and called the island Espanola, which was later anglicized as Hispaniola. Columbus built a fort on the… Continue reading A Short History of Haiti

A Short History of the Dominican Republic

By Tim Lambert The Early Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic forms part of the island of Hispaniola. Before the Europeans arrived a people called the Arawaks lived there. However, on 6 December 1492, Christopher Columbus landed in the northwest and called the island Espanola, which was later anglicized as Hispaniola. Spanish settlers founded San Domingo… Continue reading A Short History of the Dominican Republic

A Short History of Cuba

By Tim Lambert Early Cuba The first European to reach Cuba was Christopher Columbus in 1492. At that time the indigenous people lived by farming. They grew cassava, maize, and yams. They also smoked tobacco. In 1511 Diego Velasquez conquered the island of Cuba and he founded several settlements including Havana. The natives were devastated… Continue reading A Short History of Cuba

A Timeline of Chocolate

By Tim Lambert 1,500 BC The people of Central America begin to drink chocolate 1500 AD The Aztecs drink chocolate 1500s The Spanish bring chocolate to Spain. Later chocolate drinking spreads to other parts of Europe. 1657 A chocolate house opens in England where you can buy a drink of chocolate 1765 The first chocolate factory in America opens 1795 Steam engines… Continue reading A Timeline of Chocolate