Spanish language schools Study Spanish In Puerto Rico

San Juan, Puerto Rico: History

Puerto Rico was mainly populated by Taino Indians up until the late 1400's and early 1500's. Around that time Carib Indians began raiding the islands and created a few settlements. Christopher Columbus then discovered the island during his second voyage to the New World in 1493. At that time he made no attempt at creating a settlement. It was Ponce de Leon who was authorized by the Spanish Crown to settle the island in 1508.

The original settlement was not ideal and in 1521 Ponce de Leon moved the settlement to what is know known as Old San Juan. Over time, in order to protect the growing city, the Spanish built a series of walls and forts. The two major fortifications still standing are El Moro and San Cristobal, which still stand guard over the harbor of San Juan.

Many people do not realize this, but San Juan is the second oldest colonial city in the New World. The section of Old San Juan has been restored to its former glory, and is a fantastic example of Spanish colonial architecture at its finest. Interestingly, much of the cobblestones that make up the historic quarter were initially used as ballast in the old ships.

San Juan during the Spanish colonial times was used as a supply area for Spanish ships going to other parts of the New World. The importance of San Juan and the rest of Puerto Rico changed with the discovery of gold. The city quickly grew with people, and soon farms, ranches and other business operations on the island came into being. Things really took of in the early 1800's when the Spanish created incentives for immigration. Soon the small farms were surplanted by large plantations.

During this period San Juan kept its importance. Little changed in terms of its importance once the US defeated the Spanish in 1898. Today San Juan is easily on of the most beautiful cities in Latin America.

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