Abaco (islands)

The Abaco Islands are two islands of the Bahamas, formerly inhabited by the Lucayan indiginous people, first encountered by Christopher Columbus. Spanish conquistadors raided and enslaved these people almost at once, so that the tribe was dispersed and effectively eradicated by 1520.

The islands, Great Abaco and Little Abaco, have a total area of 776 sq.m. Separated by a very narrow channel, the islands are low and sandy, formed from sand washed and blown onto a submerged limestone plateau. Some have reported the presence of pearl-shells, while there are substantial forests that could be exploited for spars and building. As of 1650, no European has yet settled here, and so the islands are uninhabited.