The Spanish Main and Caribbean Pirate Havens c. 1670

Trade, Treasure, and the Golden Age of Piracy

Illustration

Simeon Netchev
by
published on 01 September 2021
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The Spanish Main and Caribbean Pirate Havens c. 1670 Download Full Size Image

This map illustrates the maritime routes of Spain’s Treasure Fleets and the network of Caribbean ports and pirate havens around 1670. It captures the tension between imperial commerce and maritime raiding, showing both the logistical arteries of the Spanish Empire and the hotspots of buccaneer activity that flourished in its shadow.

The map traces the paths of the New Spain and Terra Firma Fleets, which transported gold, silver, and goods from the Americas to Europe. These convoys followed carefully guarded routes connecting the Spanish Main—the mainland colonies along the Caribbean coast—and the islands of the Spanish West Indies. Alongside these official trade lines, the map marks key pirate and buccaneer strongholds such as Tortuga, Port Royal, and Providence Island, where privateers and freebooters preyed on treasure ships. By the late 17th century, this region had become a volatile maritime frontier, where imperial ambition met seaborne rebellion, and wealth flowed in both sanctioned and stolen forms.

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About the Author

Simeon Netchev
Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history teacher, passionate about the human stories that shape the past. He believes every image should tell a story and invite interaction, while every map should lead on a journey — blending imagination with e

Cite This Work

APA Style

Netchev, S. (2021, September 01). The Spanish Main and Caribbean Pirate Havens c. 1670. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14550/the-spanish-main-and-caribbean-pirate-havens--c-16/

Chicago Style

Netchev, Simeon. "The Spanish Main and Caribbean Pirate Havens c. 1670." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified September 01, 2021. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14550/the-spanish-main-and-caribbean-pirate-havens--c-16/.

MLA Style

Netchev, Simeon. "The Spanish Main and Caribbean Pirate Havens c. 1670." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 01 Sep 2021, https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14550/the-spanish-main-and-caribbean-pirate-havens--c-16/. Web. 08 May 2025.

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