Christopher Columbus discovered Puerto Rico in 1493. The native residents the Taíno Indians have developed own culture, language and religion. They were not prepared to defend themselves against the Spanish aggressors. The settlers evangelized the Tainos, forced them to work as slaves and exposed to European diseases. Native Indians were soon extinct but their myths, remainders of the culture and place names still resonate through Puerto Rican life. After the Spanish-American War in the late 19th century, Puerto Rico became property of the U.S.. Today, this Caribbean island is the US Commonwealth (dependent territory of the United States).
