Crooked Island, Bahamas
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Related on Lably
Through Plantation and Slavery
Etymology
The indigenous Lucayan people called the island Jumento, meaning "upper land of the middle distance". Meanwhile, the Spaniard explorers had named the island Isabella.
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History
The islands were settled by American Loyalists in the late 1780s who set cotton plantations using over 1,000 slaves. After the abolition of slavery in the British Empire these became uneconomical, and the replacement income from sponge diving has now dwindled as well. The inhabitants now live by fishing and small-scale farming.
It is believed that the first Post Office in the Bahamas was at Pitts Town on Crooked Island.
Population
The main town in the group is Colonel Hill (pop. 51) on Crooked Island.
The population of Crooked Island was 330 at the 2010 census.
Transportation
The island is served by Colonel Hill Airport.
Politics
The island is part of the MICAL constituency for elections to the House of Assembly of the Bahamas.