History of San Andres

Foundation and First Mentions

Although the island first appeared on Spanish maps ("Carta Universal") as early as 1527, its actual settlement began significantly later and was not linked to the Spanish Crown. The history of permanent settlements dates back to 1629, when English Puritans arrived on San Andres aboard the ship "Seaflower" (similar to the famous "Mayflower"). The colonists arrived from Barbados and founded the first settlement, naming it after Saint Andrew.

Key Factors of Formation

The island's development was defined by its unique position in the centre of the Caribbean. The main factors that influenced the fate of San Andres were:

• Strategic Geography: The island was located at the intersection of maritime routes but was sufficiently isolated by reefs. This made it an ideal base not only for traders but also for privateers and pirates. The name of the legendary corsair Henry Morgan is closely linked to the archipelago, as he used it as a stronghold for attacks on Spanish possessions.
• Agrarian Economy: Fertile soils allowed early settlers to successfully cultivate high-quality cotton and tobacco, which were exported to Europe.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Unlike mainland Colombia, the culture of San Andres was formed under strong British and Western Caribbean influence. The economic model, based on plantations, required the importation of labour from Africa.

This mixture led to the birth of a unique ethnic group — the Raizal. Key features of the early period that have survived to this day include:

• The prevalence of Protestantism (specifically the Baptist Church) instead of Catholicism.
• The use of the English language and the local Creole dialect as the primary means of communication.
• Cultural autonomy, which was maintained even after the island officially came under Spanish control at the end of the 18th century.

Colonial Period and the Pirate Era

• 1527: The first documentary mention of the island on Spanish maps.
• 1629: The beginning of English colonisation and the founding of the first permanent settlement.
• 1670: The island becomes a stronghold for the famous privateer Henry Morgan.
• 1786: England officially recognises Spanish sovereignty over the archipelago, yet many English-speaking settlers remain on the island.
• 1803: By Royal Decree, the administration of the islands is transferred from the Captaincy General of Guatemala to the Viceroyalty of New Granada.

Path to Independence and Integration

• 1818: French corsair Louis-Michel Aury occupies the island's forts and supports the struggle for the independence of South American colonies.
• 1822: The local population voluntarily signs an act of accession to the Constitution of Cúcuta, becoming part of Gran Colombia.
• 1912: A law is passed granting the islands the administrative status of a National Intendancy (Intendencia Nacional).

Modern History and Tourism

• 1953: General Gustavo Rojas Pinilla declares San Andres a Free Port (Puerto Libre), launching the rapid development of trade and tourism.
• 1991: The new Constitution of Colombia transforms the intendancy into the full-fledged Department of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina.
• 2000: UNESCO includes the archipelago and its surrounding waters in the list of World Biosphere Reserves under the name "Seaflower".
• 2012: The International Court of Justice in The Hague confirms Colombia's full sovereignty over the islands, concluding a long-standing territorial dispute.

Development Milestones: From Plantations to World-Class Resort

The history of San Andres' development is a journey of transformation from an isolated agrarian community to a bustling tourist and commercial hub of the Caribbean. Below are the key moments that defined the modern appearance of the city and the island.

• The "White Gold" Era and Coconut Economy (19th – early 20th century).
  During this period, the economy was based on the export of high-quality cotton, and later coconuts, to the USA.
  Significance: This time shaped the traditional architecture of the island (wooden houses in the Anglo-Caribbean style) and strengthened trade ties with the outside world even before the arrival of mass tourism.
• Declaration of the Free Port (1953).
  General Rojas Pinilla's decision to declare the island a duty-free zone (Puerto Libre) was a turning point.
  Significance: A radical change in the economic model. The island turned into a giant shopping centre ("Sanandresito"), attracting buyers from the mainland. This led to a construction boom, the appearance of concrete high-rises in the city centre (North End), and a significant influx of population from continental Colombia.
• Construction of the International Airport.
  Modernisation of the runway and the opening of the Gustavo Rojas Pinilla Airport for commercial flights.
  Significance: The end of geographical isolation. Air travel made San Andres accessible to mass tourists, which stimulated the development of hotel infrastructure and the service sector, which are the foundation of the economy today.
• Constitution of 1991 and Recognition of Raizal Rights.
  Granting Department status and enshrining special rights for the indigenous population (Raizal).
  Significance: A cultural renaissance. The English Creole language received official status alongside Spanish, and programmes to preserve cultural identity began, adding a unique ethnographic flavour to the island's tourism image.
• Creation of the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve (2000).
  Inclusion of the archipelago in the UNESCO global network of biosphere reserves.
  Significance: A shift in urban planning and tourism priorities towards ecology. Authorities began to limit uncontrolled construction, implement coral reef protection standards, and develop eco-tourism, turning natural wealth into the island's main asset.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Design

The architecture of San Andres presents a striking contrast between the traditional Caribbean style inherited from English settlers and the modern concrete developments resulting from rapid commercial growth. The urban environment is clearly divided into two zones: the densely populated commercial centre in the north and traditional settlements in the centre and south of the island.

Traditional Architecture: Anglo-Caribbean Style

The historical appearance of the island was formed in the 19th and first half of the 20th century. This is the era of wooden architecture characteristic of British colonies in the West Indies. The style reflects adaptation to the tropical climate and the cultural identity of the Raizal people.

• Style: Caribbean Vernacular (Native Raizal Architecture).
• Characteristic Features:
  • Houses on stilts for protection against floods and rodents, as well as for improved ventilation.
  • Wide verandas and balconies with wooden lattices.
  • Steep gable roofs for collecting rainwater in cisterns.
  • Bright, contrasting facade colours.
• Landmark Objects:
  • La Loma District (The Hill): A reserve of traditional architecture where the authentic atmosphere of the old island has been preserved.
  • First Baptist Church: Built in 1844. A vivid example of colonial wooden architecture with a high bell tower that served as a landmark for sailors.

The "Free Port" Era: Modernism and Commercial Development

After the island was declared a free port in 1953, the architectural landscape changed radically. The era of concrete, functionalism, and high-rise construction began, concentrated in the northern part of the island (North End).

• Style: Functionalism, International Style, Resort Modernism.
• Urban Planning Features:
  • Chaotic dense development with multi-storey hotels and shopping centres.
  • Use of reinforced concrete as the main material, displacing wood in the city centre.
  • Orientation of buildings towards commercial profit: ground floors are dedicated to duty-free shops.
• Landmark Zones:
  • North End (El Centro): The business and tourist centre of the city, resembling typical modern resorts, with promenades and high-rise buildings.

Modern Trends

In recent decades, there has been an attempt to harmonise these two directions. New tourist complexes are often styled after Caribbean architecture, using natural materials and thatched roofs to blend buildings into the tropical landscape while maintaining the comfort of modern infrastructure.

Historical Figures and Legends

• Henry Morgan — English privateer and Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica (17th century).
  The legendary pirate used the archipelago as a strategic base and hideout for attacks on Spanish fleets. Although he did not build cities here, his image has become part of local folklore, and "Morgan's Cave" is one of the island's main tourist attractions.
• Louis-Michel Aury — French corsair and military commander (19th century).
  In 1818, he occupied the islands, turning them into a military outpost to support Simón Bolívar. He is considered the liberator of the archipelago from the Spanish Crown, paving the way for the region's independence.
• Thomas O'Neill — Political leader (19th century).
  Played a key role in the peaceful accession of the islands to Gran Colombia. It was he who, in 1822, led the signing of the act recognising the Constitution of Cúcuta, which legally secured the archipelago's belonging to Colombia.

Spiritual Leaders and Educators

• Philip Beekman Livingston — Pastor and public figure (19th century).
  Founder of the historic First Baptist Church on La Loma hill (1844). He played a decisive role in shaping the Raizal community after the abolition of slavery, engaging in education and the protection of the rights of the local population.

Figures of the Modern Era

• Gustavo Rojas Pinilla — President of Colombia (20th century).
  The General whose reforms in 1953 radically changed the fate of the island. Declaring San Andres a Free Port (Puerto Libre) and building the international airport turned the isolated territory into a thriving tourist centre.
• Hazel Robinson Abrahams — Writer and historian (20th–21st century).
  A renowned Colombian writer who dedicated her work to preserving the cultural heritage of the archipelago. Her books are essential artistic chronicles of the life and traditions of the Raizal people.