Conquest and
Colonization:
1492
Christopher Columbus first voyage to America.
1493
Columbus 2nd voyage, takes possession of Borikén (Puerto Rico) for
the Spanish Crown and calls it Saint John the Baptist.
1509
Juan Ponce de León starts the conquest and colonization of Saint
John the
Baptist accompanied by about 100 men. The indigenous population estimated between 50,000 and 70,000 people.
1510
About 300 Spanish colonist inhabit the island. The main activity
is gold mining from rivers and streams, using indigenous peoples as
"encomendados" or slaves.
