This book will tell you all about the West Indies and its people: 'Caribs and Arawaks'. In order for us to get the gist of this history we will start from the beginning in telling you that Spain and Portugal were the best trading nations of the world. Spain now controlled the West Indies. Throughout the 15th and 16th centuries Spain and Portugal were the world's best trading nations. Spain was in control of the New World and the West Indies while Portugal controlled the Old World, Spice Islands and the South Sea trade. The Spanish Navy was known to be The Invincible Armada. Spain now owns the rich gold and silver mines of Peru and Chile in South America also the West Indian Islands. Spain had rights over the Pacific Ocean, except Brazil, but still owns North and South America. Spanish settlers settled on the larger West Indian Islands: Cuba, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Jamaica and Trinidad; leaving the smaller islands for the native Caribs and Arawaks. During the reign of the Castilian government Spain kept strict control of her empire's mercantile service, and her trading ships. The English, French, and Dutch soon played havoc on Spain's shipping.