Settlement of Florida

The settlement of Florida began in the early 16th century when Spanish explorers, including Ponce de León, arrived in search of wealth and land. St. Augustine, founded in 1565, became the first permanent European settlement in the U.S. Spanish missions spread throughout the region to convert Native Americans. Over the years, Florida changed hands between Spain, Britain, and eventually the United States in 1821. The state's diverse history involves interactions with various Indigenous peoples, European colonization, and its role in trade and agriculture, shaping the vibrant culture and society we see in Florida today.