Providence, Santa Catalina and San Andres (1629-1901)

The Colombian islands of Providence, Santa Catalina and San Andres lie 140 miles off the coast of Nicaragua in the Caribbean Sea.

The first part of this book comprises a transcription of the Butler Diary. This extensive document was written by Nathaniel Butler, who was Governor of Providence from 1638 to 1640. One of the very few contemporary accounts of the history of Providence during the Puritan period from 1629 to 1640, its daily entries cover 15 months. They include a fascinating account of Butler's unsuccessful voyage around the Caribbean in search of Spanish booty.

In the second part of this book, Sam Cuming presents the history of these islands from the arrival of the Puritans in 1629 right through to 1901, when the Colombian government assumed de facto control of running the archipelago.

The book also contains a wealth of fascinating maps and illustrations, reproduced in colour, which span the centuries and show the changing perceptions and geography of the region.