User:Iangbusa

From the late 12th Century BC, or before, seafarers from the Eastern Mediterranean ventured westward reaching the westerly extremities of the North African coast. The peoples destined to be known to history as the Phoenicians began their epic and mysterious diaspora across the known classical world. As their economic ambitions grew and social and political pressures forced further expansion - out past the Pillars of Hercules and into the great Western Ocean: north to the cold lands and islands in search of mineral wealth; south in search of spices, gems, silver, and ivory. And some, whether at first deliberately or not, found themselves further out into the ocean where they came across the Fortunate Isles and, beyond, the island of Astarte - the goddess they praised for their safe deliverance from the wild seas.

This was the first human settlement of an archipelago - a continental remnant left as Africa drifted east and away from it's ancient conjunction with North America. Islands with a an incredible history, a present-day phenomenon, and hope for the future.

I'm here to tell this story and more, provide a guide to the traveler and tourist, a text for geographers, economists, and historians, intelligence for diplomats, businessmen, and politicians.