Plantation_cultivation_in_the_Caribbean.2C_Central_and_South_America Banana

fruits of wild-type bananas have numerous large, hard seeds.

in 15th , 16th centuries, portuguese colonists started banana plantations in atlantic islands, brazil, , western africa. north americans began consuming bananas on small scale @ high prices shortly after civil war, though in 1880s became more widespread. late victorian era, bananas not known in europe, although available. jules verne introduces bananas readers detailed descriptions in around world in eighty days (1872).

the earliest modern plantations originated in jamaica , related western caribbean zone, including of central america. involved combination of modern transportation networks of steamships , railroads development of refrigeration allowed bananas have more time between harvesting , ripening. north america shippers lorenzo dow baker , andrew preston, founders of boston fruit company started process in 1870s, railroad builders minor c keith participated, culminating in multi-national giant corporations today s chiquita brands international , dole. these companies monopolistic, vertically integrated (meaning controlled growing, processing, shipping , marketing) , used political manipulation build enclave economies (economies internally self-sufficient, virtually tax exempt, , export oriented contribute little host economy). political maneuvers, gave rise term banana republic states honduras , guatemala, included working local elites , rivalries influence politics or playing international interests of united states, during cold war, keep political climate favorable interests.