Antilleans have a wide variety of ancestors, which is determined by the History of the Netherlands Antilles. Until the arrival of the Spaniards in 1493, the Antilles were inhabited by Amerindians. In the early 16th century, the majority of the Amerindians disposed of as slaves, and the Spaniards became the majority of the population. In 1634, the Netherlands took over Curaçao and settled also Dutch people on the islands. After 1665, the Antilles became a transit port for African slaves, which were traded by the West India Company. A small proportion of the slaves remained behind and was deployed at the plantations.
The Windward Islands were at the end of the 15th century discovered by the Spaniards. The islands changed regularly as owner. The population is descended from British, Scottish, Irish, French, African slaves and Dutch people.
The Antilleans from the Leeward Islands talk often Papiamento, the Antilleans of the Windward Islands generally speak English.
Ethnic groups of Suriname
Afro-Guyanese Language :Guyanese Creole English
Akuliyo, Wama language : Akurio
Apalai Language: Apalai
Arab, Syrian Language : Arabic, North Levantine
Arawak, Lokono Language: Arawak
Aukan, Ndjuka Language : Aukan
British Language English
Coastal Carib, Galibi Language Carib
Han Chinese, Cantonese Language :Chinese, Yue
Han Chinese, Hakka Language: Chinese, Hakka T
Hmong Njua, Blue Language : Hmong Njua T
Indonesian Language : Indonesian
Javanese, Caribbean Language :Javanese, Caribbean
Jew, Dutch Language : Dutch T
Kwinti Language: Kwinti
Latin American, Language :Spanish
Portuguese Language : Portuguese
Saramaccan Language :Saramaccan
Saramaccan, Matawari Language :Saramaccan
Sarnami Hindi, Carribean Hin Language: Hindustani, Caribbean