Who was the first european to visit puerto rico: Introduction–Historic Places in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands; A National Register of Historic Places Travel Itinerary
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Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, associated with the United States since 1898 and 1917, respectively, possess rich pasts associated with the European explorers and colonizers, as well as the Taino and Carib Americans Indians, who inhabited the region before the arrival of the Europeans. Known human settlement in the Caribbean Islands reaches back at least 4,000 years. The Taino Indians lived in small villages controlled by chiefs, where they subsisted on domesticated tropical crops such as pineapple, manioc and batatas as well as seafood. Indians, as Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus called the Caribbean’s first inhabitants, first explored and settled numerous Caribbean Islands 5,000 years ago. In learning how to survive in the island environment, they created various distinctive cultures. Columbus’s voyages to the “New World” initiated European colonization of the Caribbean Islands and, later, of the American mainlands during an era of intense competition for lands and riches between the maritime European powers. Spain preceded Portugal, England, France, Sweden, Denmark and other European states in staking claim to the “New World.
To illustrate the history of the islands, this itinerary links National Parks with places listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The 52 historic places highlighted in this itinerary can teach us about the contributions made by various peoples who settled in Puerto Rico and the American Virgin Islands. The itinerary includes a map showing the location of these historic places along with a brief description of their importance in our nation’s past. Use this guide for locating interesting historic places near the National Parks in the Caribbean. The National Parks, National Historic Landmarks and other historic places included in this travel itinerary are listed in the National Register of Historic Places–the Nation’s official list of important historic places worthy of preservation.
For more information on historic places in the Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands contact:
Puerto Rico Office of Historic Preservation
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Carib Indians living in the Lesser Antilles, the Virgin Islands and Isla Vieques, at times raided Taino settlements and seized captives. In 1493, Columbus landed in a bay on Puerto Rico’s west coast, and he claimed the island for Spain’s King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Fifteen years passed, however, before Spanish explorers, led by Juan Ponce de León, explored and colonized the island.
” Yet, fantastic as it sounds, Columbus died believing he had found islands near India and China; he never knew that his voyages opened the Western Hemisphere to European colonization. Most of the native inhabitants were wiped out by European diseases within 50 years; thereafter, Spanish landowners purchased imported African slaves who replaced the Indian workers at Spanish estates and mines.
Africans were imported as slaves to work the great sugar plantations, and, as in Puerto Rico, they added to the cultural and political life of the islands. Puerto Rico in time became a midway station in the trans-Atlantic flow of riches from the Americas to Spain. The gold and precious metals captured in the conquest of the Aztec and Incan Empires enriched Spain, as well as that later mined by Indian and African American slaves, enriched Spain. France, England, Holland and Denmark quickly followed Spain by claiming various Caribbean Islands. The French and, later, the English attacked the Virgin Islands, while at one time or another Caribs, French, English and Dutch forces attacked Puerto Rico. An influx of Spanish loyalists to Puerto Rico during the Latin American Wars of Liberation (1810-1825) led to Puerto Rico’s renewed importance for Spain, and new public projects reflected the growth of the sugar and coffee plantation economies on the island. Later, the United States of America possessed both Puerto Rico (1898) and the Danish Virgin Islands (1917).
Unlike the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico became a Commonwealth on July 25, 1952.
Juan Ponce de Leon – Ages of Exploration
Introduction
Juan Ponce de Leon was a Spanish explorer who traveled around Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and Florida. He is credited with establishing a European settlement in Puerto Rico, being the first European to reach Florida, giving the land its name. Although there is no evidence to support this claim, legend says that Ponce de Leon found Florida while searching for the fabled Fountain of Youth.
Biography
Early Life
Juan Ponce de Leon was born in Santervás de Campos, Spain in 1474.
His father, Luis Ponce de Leon, and his mother, Leonor de Figueroa, were nobles. As a boy, he served as a squire – personal attendant – to Don Pedro Núñez de Guzmán. Guzmán was a Knight Commander in the royal court, a very important position.1 As a squire, young Ponce de Leon would have attended to the requests of Guzmán, such as taking care of his horse, helping him dress, and other duties. In return, he would receive training in social etiquette, hunting, and heavy military training. His military skills were put to the test in 1487 when he went off to the Kingdom of Granada to fight against the Muslim Moors. The war ended in 1492. A year later in September 1493, Ponce de Leon went on Christopher Columbus’ second voyage to the New World.2 He settled on the island of Hispaniola (modern day Dominican Republic and Haiti). In 1502, he married a Spanish woman named Leonor, and they had four children. He had three daughters – Juana, Isabel, and Maria; and a son named Luis.
3
As a soldier on Hispaniola, Ponce de Leon helped fight against the native people. The Europeans fought and enslaved many indigenous natives. Nicolás de Ovando, governor of Hispaniola, rewarded Ponce de Leon for his help in the native rebellion. Ponce de Leon became governor of one of the provinces in eastern Hispaniola.4 He was given about 200 acres of land and native Taino slaves. He found wealth as a farmer. Despite his success in farming, Ponce de Leon wanted to find gold. He often heard tales from sailors and natives alike of the bountiful land called Boriquen – the native name for modern day Puerto Rico.5 Ponce de Leon set out to see for himself if the stories of gold in Puerto Rico were true. In 1506, Juan Ponce de Leon went to Puerto Rico to see if the stories were true. He did not have official permission from authorities. So Ponce de Leon went secretly. He discovered that the island had both gold and other valuable resources. So he went back to Hispaniola with plans to return to Puerto Rico.
Voyages
Principal Voyage
Juan Ponce de Leon petitioned King Ferdinand of Spain asking for royal permission to journey to Puerto Rico. The king agreed. In August 1508, Ponce de Leon gathered a crew and some boats, and set sail. From 1508-1509, he explored the island, and founded the oldest settlement of Caparra near San Juan. In 1510, the Spanish king made Ponce de Leon governor of Puerto Rico. But he was replaced by Diego Columbus in 1511.6 When Christopher Columbus found the land, he was given rights to rule. When he died in 1506, his son Diego inherited those rights. Diego went to court, and the Spanish monarchy had no choice but to give him ownership. But the Spanish crown wanted Ponce de Leon to find new lands. He heard stories from natives about a Fountain of Youth and a lot of gold on an island called Bimini (now in the Bahamas). In March 1513, he left Puerto Rico in search of this fountain.
On March 3, 1513, Ponce de Leon and his men departed from modern day San Germán.
The expedition consisted of three ships, the Santiago, the Santa María de la Consolación, and the San Cristóbal. On April 3 they landed just outside of modern day St. Augustine. Ponce de Leon realized they were not at Bimini. He noticed the land, which he thought was an island, was filled with lush vegetation. So he named it La Florida meaning “The Flowered One” in Spanish. It was also a week after the Easter season known in Spain as the Pasqua florida, or the “feast of flowers.”7 He continued sailing south along Florida’s coast, exploring some of the inland and inlet areas. Ponce de Leon and his crew encountered some natives along the way. At one point the Calusa Indians attacked the Spanish crew and forced the Spaniards to retreat.8 He sailed onward reaching the Florida Keys, Key West, and ending his expedition near Charlotte Harbor on Florida’s west coast. He left Florida in 1514, briefly returned to Puerto Rico, and then headed back to Spain.
Subsequent Voyages
Although he did not find the Fountain of Youth, the Spanish king was happy with Ponce de Leon’s discovery. He was knighted, given a coat of arms, and made adelantado (Spanish for “governor”) of both Florida and the island of Bimini.9 Bimini had not yet been found, but the king was still hopeful. Ponce de Leon made several trips back and forth between Puerto Rico and Spain over the next few years. During a trip to Spain in 1516, he married his second wife Juana de Pineda of Seville. His first wife appeared to have died sometime before he left Puerto Rico.10 He and his new bride returned to Puerto Rico in 1518. Ponce de Leon was also given permission to colonize the Florida region he had explored. Unfortunately, he would not get to see his colony thrive.
Later Years and Death
Ponce de Leon sailed again for Florida in 1521 landing near Charlotte Harbor. Not long after his arrival he had a fatal encounter with the natives. During an attack by the natives, Ponce de Leon was shot and wounded by an arrow.
The Spaniards retreated to Havana, Cuba. In July 1521, a few days after the incident, in Havana, Juan Ponce de Leon died from his wounds. He was buried in Cuba but later relocated to the San Juan Cathedral in Puerto Rico.
Legacy
Juan Ponce de Leon is credited as the first European known to have visited present day United States. He was also Puerto Rico’s first governor. Although he was never able to establish a colony in Florida, his discovery of the land led to continued Spanish exploration of the Americas. After his death, more and more Spanish explorers wanted to sail west to explore Florida. Many of the colonies he set up in Puerto Rico survived long after his death, and his influence is still known throughout the area. Ponce, Puerto Rico’s third largest city, is named in his honour.
Endnotes
- Louise Chipley Slavicek, Juan Ponce de León (Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, 2003), 14.
- Marc Tyler Nobleman, Juan Ponce de Leon (Mankato: Capstone Press, 2005), 7.
- Sandra Wallus Sammons, Ponce de Leon and the Discovery of Florida (Sarasota: Pineapple Press, Inc., 2013), 17.
- Kenneth Pletcher, ed., The Britannica Guide to Explorers and Explorations That Changed the Modern World (New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2009), 101.
- Sammons, Ponce de Leon and the Discovery of Florida, 18.
- Rachel Eagen, Ponce de Leon: Exploring Florida and Puerto Rico, (New York: Crabtree Publishing Co., 2006), 11.
- Steven Otfinoski, Juan Ponce de Leon: Discoverer of Florida (New York: Benchmark Books, 2005), 37 – 38.
- Otfinoski, Juan Ponce de Leon, 46.
- Otfinoski, Juan Ponce de Leon, 52.
- Otfinoski, Juan Ponce de Leon, 55.
Bibliography
Eagen, Rachel. Ponce de Leon: Exploring Florida and Puerto Rico. New York: Crabtree Publishing Co., 2006.
Nobleman, Marc Tyler. Juan Ponce de Leon. Mankato: Capstone Press, 2005.
Otfinoski, Steven. Juan Ponce de Leon: Discoverer of Florida. New York: Benchmark Books, 2005.
Pletcher, Kenneth ed. The Britannica Guide to Explorers and Explorations That Changed the Modern World. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2009.
Sammons, Sandra Wallus. Ponce de Leon and the Discovery of Florida. Sarasota: Pineapple Press, Inc., 2013.
Slavicek, Louise Chipley. Juan Ponce de León. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, 2003.
History Puerto Rico
Home » Countries » America » Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Author Dmitry Kirsanov Reading 2 min Views 392 Published
Updated
The history of Puerto Rico began long before the arrival of Christopher Columbus on the island. The first settlement of the island were the Ortoiroids.
Later, the Ingeri Indian tribe arrives on this land. Since the 7th century, the island has been dominated by representatives of the Indian Arawak tribes, who founded the Taino culture.
The history of Puerto Rico began long before the arrival of Christopher Columbus on the island. The first settlement of the island were the Ortoiroids. Later, the Ingeri Indian tribe arrives on this land. Since the 7th century, the island has been dominated by representatives of the Indian Arawak tribes, who founded the Taino culture.
Contents
- European history of Puerto Rico
- Capital of Puerto Rico
- Population of Puerto Rico
- State of Puerto Rico
- Politics of Puerto Rico
- Language of Puerto Rico
European history of Puerto Rico
In 1493, Christopher Columbus declared the Puerto Rico archipelago the property of the Spanish crown. The indigenous population was enslaved, and the diseases that were brought by the Europeans almost destroyed the Indians.
The history of Puerto Rico becomes Spanish for over 400 years. And all this time, France, the Netherlands and England tried to capture the island.
B 189In the year 8, the Spanish-American War ends, after which Spain cedes the island to the United States, but it is not a state, and only in 1917 did all Puerto Ricans become American citizens.
Capital of Puerto Rico
In 1521, the Spanish colonizers founded the city of San Juan. This is the oldest city in the United States, as well as the oldest European city in all of Latin America. The old capital of Puerto Rico San Juan is preserved in its historical form thanks to local cultural figures who demanded that any restoration work be coordinated with the local Institute of Culture. They were able to achieve a ban on new construction in the city. So, Puerto Rican culture was preserved in the capital of the island.
Population of Puerto Rico
Ethnic composition population of Puerto Rico consists of descendants of Spanish settlers and new immigrants from the US and Europe by 80%.
The rest are Indians, Asians, Negroes. Despite the traditional departure of Puerto Ricans to the United States, the population of Puerto Rico continues to grow slowly.
State of Puerto Rico
Free Associate State of Puerto Rico is a US dependency in the territory. That is, the island is under the control of the United States, but is not part of the American state. The head of the country is the president of the United States, but the government is run by a governor.
The policy of Puerto Rico
The whole policy of Puerto Rico consists in the nature of relations with the USA. Four political parties have not been able to come to a single decision for many years on the issue of territorial binding Puerto Rico . Many are in favor of becoming the island became a full-fledged US state or a completely independent state.
Language of Puerto Rico
One of the main indicators of the people and their culture are history and language.
The official languages are Spanish and English. But still, the main language of Puerto Rico is Spanish, but it is so complemented by the Creole dialect that the Spaniards hardly understand the Puerto Rican version of their language.
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Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is a US territory in the Caribbean. This means that Puerto Rico is part of the United States and citizens of Puerto Rico are also citizens of the United States.
Puerto Rico is not an independent country. Because Puerto Rico is not a state, citizens cannot vote in U.S. national elections unless they are giving a speech in one of the 50 U.S. states.
Almost 4 million (4,000,000) people live in Puerto Rico. Its political system is based on the republican system. Puerto Rico has two official languages: Spanish and English. The US dollar is used as the currency. Translated from Spanish Puerto Rico means “rich port”.
The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico includes the largest main island and a number of smaller islands including Mona, Vieques and Culebra. Of these three small islands, only Culebra and Vieques are inhabited all year round. Mona is uninhabited, but Puerto Rico’s Ministry of Natural Resources officials occasionally visit the island to view it and its wildlife. People can visit the island for hiking and camping with the necessary permission. San Juan, located in the northern part of the main island, is the island’s largest city and the capital of its territory.
The common languages are Spanish, which is spoken by 94.7% of the population, and English spoken by 5.3%.
On May 3, 2017, Puerto Rico filed for bankruptcy due to massive debt and a weak economy. This is the largest bankruptcy case in American history.
Christopher Columbus was the first European to visit Puerto Rico.
Status in relation to the US
Puerto Rico is one of the unincorporated territories of the US. These are organized, self-governing territories with local elected governors and legislatures. Puerto Rico elects a Resident Commissioner to the US House of Representatives.
History of Puerto Rico
The history of Puerto Rico began when the Ortoiroid people began to live on the island between 3000 and 2000 BC. Other tribes, such as the Saladoid and Arawak Indians, lived on the island between 430 B.C. and 1000 AD When Christopher Columbus arrived on the island in 1492 and named it San Juan Bautista , the people who lived there were Tai .
Since Puerto Rico is located in the northeast of the Caribbean, from the early years of exploration, conquest and colonization of the New World, Puerto Rico was an important part of the Spanish empire.
The island was a major military post during the many wars between Spain and other European countries for control of the region in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. In 1898, during the Spanish-American War, Puerto Rico was captured and became a possession of the United States.
During the 20th century, the political status of Puerto Rico changed from time to time. The Forker Act of 1900 created a civilian government to replace the military government established after the Spanish–American War, and the Jones Act 1917 granted United States citizenship to the Puerto Rican people. After that, in 1952, Puerto Rico drafted its own constitution and held democratic elections.
The political status of Puerto Rico, a Commonwealth controlled by the United States, is still not fully defined.
Many want to regulate this status, while others want this status to remain unchanged. Of those who want to change this status, some want Puerto Rico to become a new state of the United States, while others want Puerto Rico to become a fully independent country.
Geography
Puerto Rico is an archipelago, the main island with the majority of the population, two small islands (Vieques and Culebra) with inhabitants and many other smaller islands. At the center of the main island is a mountain range that covers most of the island. The highest point is 4390 feet (1338 meters).
Political parties
There are three main political parties in Puerto Rico: the Puerto Rican Independence Party, which advocates for Puerto Rico to become an independent state; New Progressive Party that advocates for Puerto Rico to become a nation of the United States of America; and the People’s Democratic Party, which advocates colonialism.
The issue of the island’s political status (meaning whether it is a country, a US state or a colony) is a matter of debate among the Puerto Rican people.
There have been many attempts in the past to clearly define the island’s political status through voting. Most of the time, the majority of the population chose to remain a colony. However, in the latest “status vote” the colonial option seems to have lost more than 90% of its support, while the US state option has only gained momentum in the last few decades. The Puerto Rican Independence Party, on the other hand, has largely lost significant support over the past six decades.
Demographics
Puerto Rico is said to have a majority of whites, an extinct Indian population, people of mixed ancestry, Africans, and a small Asian minority. However, recent genetic studies contradict this information. According to the 2010 US Census, 99% of the population identify themselves as of Puerto Rican descent (regardless of race or color), making Puerto Rico one of the most culturally connected societies in the world.
Puerto Rico has a population of approximately 4 million. The ethnic composition of the population is ethnic:
- 70% white
- 20% mulat
- 10% black
Related pages
- List of Puerto-Rico rivers
- Puerto Rico at the Olympiad
- National football team Puero
- https://islandsofpuertorico. com/puerto-rico-flag/
com/puerto-rico-flag/FAQ
Q: What is Puerto Rico?
A: Puerto Rico, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, is a US territory in the Caribbean. This means that it is part of the United States and citizens of Puerto Rico are also US citizens.
Q: Is there a Puerto Rican independence movement?
A: Yes, the independence movement has been around for almost two centuries. There were protests, votes and armed attacks for independence.
Q: How many people live in Puerto Rico?
A: Almost 4 million (4,000,000) people live in Puerto Rico.
Q: What languages are spoken in Puerto Rico?
A: The official languages are Spanish and English; Spanish is spoken by 94.7% of the population, English by 5.3%.
Q: What currency is used in Puerto Rico?
A: The currency used is the US dollar.
Q: What does “Puerto Rico” mean in Spanish?
A: “Puerto Rico” means “rich port” in Spanish.
Q: Are all three small islands around Puerto Rico inhabited all year round?
A: Of these three small islands – Mona, Vieques and Culebra – only Culebra and Vieques are inhabited all year round; Mona is not inhabited, but employees of the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources occasionally visit to view it and its wildlife.
Author
Alegsaonline.com – Puerto Rico – Leandro Alegsa – 2021-01-18 16:38:37 – url: https://ru.alegsaonline.com/art/79962
References
– commons.wikimedia.org – Puerto Rico-books.google.com – Puerto Rico: Culture, Politics, and Identity – www.state.gov – “U.S. Department of State. Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty” – www.lexjuris.com – “Carta Autonómica de 1897 de Puerto Rico” – www. gdb-pur.com – “Government Development Bank of Puerto Rico, May 2011” – www.census.gov – https://www.census.gov/hhes/www/income/data/historical/state/state4.html- www.reuters.com – “Puerto Rico files for biggest ever U.